As Prince George celebrates his 12th birthday on July 22nd, 2025, he not only reaches a significant personal milestone but also a moment that carries deep symbolic and constitutional importance for the British monarchy. The eldest son of Prince William and Princess Catherine is on the brink of stepping further into the royal spotlight, and the palace may soon face a decision that reflects both the weight of history and the heavy responsibility of the crown.

For generations, a royal rule has stood as an invisible line of protection for the monarchy: direct heirs to the throne do not fly together once the eldest child reaches the age of 12. This rule was established to protect the line of succession in case of an aviation disaster. The precedent was first applied to Prince William when he turned 12 in 1994.

In 2023, Graham Lurie, King Charles’s former pilot, revealed on a Right Royal podcast that he had flown all four members of the royal family—Prince Charles, Princess Diana, Prince William, and Prince Harry—until Prince William turned 12. After that, Prince William had to fly separately unless given written permission from the Queen.

Now, with Prince George reaching this pivotal age, the question arises once again: will Prince William and Princess Catherine uphold this royal protocol or defy tradition in favor of modern parenting? Unlike previous generations, Prince William and Princess Catherine have advocated for a more hands-on, emotionally grounded approach to raising their children. They have raised George, 12, Charlotte, 11, and Louis, 7, with as much normality as possible, balancing royal duties with a strong commitment to family unity. This approach stands in stark contrast to the parenting style of King Charles and Queen Elizabeth II, who, due to their royal responsibilities, often relied on nannies and relatives to care for their children for extended periods.

A royal insider shared with People that William and Catherine deeply value family time, even if it means skipping formal royal engagements. This has been especially true in recent years, particularly amid Princess Catherine’s ongoing cancer treatment. Behind the scenes, discussions are reportedly taking place regarding the family’s travel arrangements.

The late Queen Elizabeth is said to have expressed concerns about Prince William flying helicopters with his entire family, worried about the devastating consequences if something were to go wrong. An insider told The Sun that while the Queen knew William was a capable pilot, she felt it wasn’t worth the risk for all five of them to fly together, fearing the potential for a constitutional crisis. This concern arises from the fact that, after Prince William and his three children, the next in line to the throne is Prince Harry, who stepped away from royal duties in 2020 and now lives in California. The potential for such a dramatic shift in the line of succession has long been a topic of concern for royal courtiers and legal experts.

While William and Catherine may wrestle with travel traditions, they appear to be honoring another royal legacy when it comes to George’s education. According to multiple sources, Prince George is expected to follow in his father’s footsteps and attend the prestigious Eton College. Although they reportedly considered other options, such as Marlborough College (Princess Catherine’s alma mater), insiders told The Mail on Sunday that Eton remains the top choice. This decision balances royal heritage with preparing George for the immense duties that await him. Eton has long been the educational cradle of Britain’s elite, shaping prime ministers, aristocrats, and future kings.

As Prince George celebrates his 12th birthday behind palace gates, this milestone is anything but ordinary. For George, it may mark the end of flying carefree with his entire family. For William and Catherine, it’s another tough parenting decision that combines personal love with public duty. And for the world watching, it’s a reminder that, even in moments of celebration, the future of the monarchy is always being quietly shaped—through a delicate balance of tradition and change.

Happy 12th birthday, Prince George. The royal journey ahead is a remarkable one