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Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Twelve things you didn't know about Prince George: From his first royal tour at nine months old to his love of thunderstorms
For most 12-year-olds, birthdays mean cake, presents and being forced to write an endless list of thank you cards. But for Prince George, this year's birthday marks more than just a family celebration. Over the last decade, the world has watched him grow from a cheeky toddler into a charming young man. Today, his 12th birthday marks a significant step towards his future role as King. On July 22, 2013, a wood-and-gold easel announced the birth of Prince William and Princess Catherine's first child. The bells of Westminster Abbey rang out, landmarks were illuminated blue to symbolise the birth of a boy and gun salutes marked the occasion in London, Bermuda, New Zealand and Canada. The most eager royal observers and members of the press camped outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, keen to catch a glimpse of their future King before anybody else. From his first royal tour to his favourite football team, here are 12 things you may not have known about Prince George. Over the last decade, the world has watched Prince George grow from a cheeky toddler into a charming young man Prince Louis (L) and Prince George leave Buckingham Palace ahead of Trooping the Colour ceremony on June 14, 2025 He almost had a different name It was a name that was touted as one of the clear favourites by bookmakers and given the history of the monarchy - and in particular the House of Windsor - William and Kate naming their son George came as no surprise. Sharing a name with his great great grandfather - the Queen's father George VI - the name followed in a long tradition. But he almost had a different name. It was reported that the Waleses considered naming their son Alexander which Kate 'had her heart on'. Royal correspondent Katie Nicholl wrote in Vanity Fair that although 'Kate apparently suspected it was a boy and had set her heart on the name Alexander, they had not yet decided what to call their firstborn' ahead of his birth. Instead, they referred to him as a sweet nickname, 'our little grape.' The Times reported that the royal couple wrote their favourite names on pieces of paper, put them on the floor of their home, and let their cocker spaniel, Lupo, decide which one was the winner - down to what piece of paper he went to first. However, the name Alexander, ended up being included in George's full name - Prince George Alexander Louis. He will be the third George from the House of Windsor to take the throne should he keep the name when he eventually takes the crown. His birth made history When George was born on 22nd July 2013, it marked the second time that three generations in the line of succession have been alive simultaneously. The only other time that this has happened was during the reign of Queen Victoria. Prince Charles' visit to the hospital to see his new grandson was also an historic moment as it is believed to be the first time three direct male heirs to the throne had come together in more than 100 years. First royal tour at nine months old At just nine months old, George began his royal duties and accompanied his parents on their royal tour of New Zealand and Australia in April 2014. Only appearing twice during the tour, nevertheless he was dubbed as 'the star of the show'. The then Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott predicted in the Parliament House, Canberra, that George would one day be welcomed there as King of Australia. Australian media called him 'the republican slayer', after polls showed the lowest support for republicanism in the country for 35 years He loves thunderstorms While many children, pets and even adults are scared of thunderstorms, George apparently loves them. This was revealed when Kate visited a children's hospital where a boy told her a storm was coming. She replied: 'Yes, I know all about those. George likes storms, too!' He's an Alcaraz fan George and Charlotte look downcast at Wimbledon. It has been widely reported that the children are major fans of Alacaraz, who lost the match in four sets At this year's Wimbledon tennis tournament, footage of George and his sister Charlotte went viral as the royal siblings looking disappointed after the the men's final. The future King and his sister joined their parents in the royal box at SW19 to watch Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz take on Italian Jannik Sinner. It has been widely reported that the children are major fans of Alacaraz, who lost the match in four sets. Their love of tennis may have been inspired by the Princess of Wales, who is patron of the All England Lawn and Tennis Club, also known as the AELTC (which organises the day-to-day running of the prestigious tournament). As part of her duties, Kate, who has held the post since 2016, presents the trophy to the tournament's winner. It was during the presentation that the royal children looked downcast, adopting similar poses as they stood with their arms resting on the wall of the royal box. He has flown a plane William talks to George as the stand in front of the RAF Arrows aircraft, during a visit to the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford - the world's largest military airshow in July 2016 The young Prince took his first flying lesson at the age of 11 and flew a single-engine Piper PA-28 with dual controls, a plane designed for flight training. His parents watched him take off and land at White Waltham Airfield near Maidenhead. Onlookers watched George in flight, one of whom told the Sun: 'He loved it. It's the right time to start. The royal family has a proud tradition of flying and it looks like George is next in line.' William and Catherine with George, Charlotte and Louis board a C17 place during their visit to the Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford on July 14, 2023 in Fairford Another person present at the airfield said: 'There were probably 30 or 40 people in the clubhouse. Catherine and William watched George take off. But they were relaxed about it. All three of them had been pretty chilled in the clubhouse.' Flying has been a longstanding tradition among the Royal Family, although Prince George has started to learn much earlier than his father and grandfather. William began aged 27 when he was training with the Royal Air Force, and later served with the East Anglian Air Ambulance. Prince Philip started training aged 31 and was awarded his 'wings' by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir William Dickson at a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace in 1953. He's expected to go to Eton Rumours have been swirling about which senior school the Prince and Princess of Wales will choose for George when he turns 13. Although William and Kate were spotted looking around a number of top schools, Eton and rival Marlborough College were clear front-runners. Eton – the alma mater of Prince William, where fees are more than £63,000 a year – is conveniently near the family home in Windsor. While Prince William thrived there, his brother, Prince Harry, discovered that it was the wrong choice for him Meanwhile, Kate is known to have flourished at Marlborough, and the co-ed school would allow Princess Charlotte to join her elder brother. But a well-placed palace source told The Mail on Sunday 'all roads lead to Eton'. He has seven godparents Royal babies traditionally have about six godparents. William and Kate, like Princess Diana, chose George's godparents to be a blend of traditional and more modern choices. His godparents are; Zara Tindall, Julia Samuel (a close friend of Princess Diana), Hugh Grosvenor, the 7th Duke of Westminster, Emilia Jardine-Paterson, who met Kate during their school days at Marlborough College, Oliver Baker (a friend from St Andrews, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, who worked as a Private Secretary to Prince William and Kate until 2013 and William van Cutsem, the son of King Charles' late friend Hugh van Cutsem. Aston Villa fan, like his Pa! In April, George looked like William's 'mini me' as they enjoyed a five goal thriller at Villa Park as they watched their beloved Aston Villa face off against Paris Saint-Germain in a nail-biting Champions League clash. He was seen jumping out of his seat to cheer for Aston Villa as well as mirroring his dad's nervous expressions when the team was behind. During William and George's trip to Paris, William said he loves bonding with his son over their shared love of football. 'I want George to experience a night out away from home in a big European competition,' William said. 'I think those memories are really important to create.' George even dressed like his dad by wearing an Aston Villa scarf! He can no longer travel with William George and his father will have to fly separately now the young prince has turned 12 His 12th birthday marks a major milestone, which will also see a centuries-old royal rule that his own father also had to follow come into force. According to the protocol, two heirs to the throne cannot fly together when undertaking royal duties. The royal custom dictates that anyone over 12 years old in the line of succession cannot travel together for safety reasons. He has an unusual nickname During his time at Thomas's School, George was given the nickname P.G. by his classmates. Kate and William reportedly adopted the nickname, affectionately referring to their firstborn as PG Tips, as in the tea! A King for a new age Two heirs! William and George in the royal box in centre court during the men's singles final at Wimbledon
Metro
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Metro
Readers discuss royal residences, medical cannabis and migrant deals
Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments. Paul from London is wrong to consider present-day royalty a requisite for royal tourism (MetroTalk, Wed). Once something happens in a country it remains part of that country's history forever. Despite Stalin's efforts we still associate the name Trotsky with the Soviet Union, which is itself now defunct. I'm not suggesting any Stalin-style revisionism here – far from removing Henry VIII from the history books, for example, I want to see people learning what a monster he was. Britain's most popular royal tourist attractions are places such as Hampton Court and the Tower of London, which haven't had royal residents for centuries. I'm told that among the biggest royal tourist attractions in all Europe is Versailles, in a part of France not even that much warmer or drier than southern England. Neuschwanstein in Bavaria, Germany, isn't doing badly, either. Think how big a draw Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle could be were they empty all year round! It would not even be that big a hardship on the House of Windsor, who would still own Balmoral and Sandringham privately even if all their realms became EL Gilman, by email I think Inbaraj from Harrow (MetroTalk, Wed) misunderstood what I was saying when I said government U-turns should be seen as good. I mentioned the recent U-turns just as an example of the government listening to the people, but I am referring to any U-turn. If the government does a U-turn then it's because something was a bad idea and they corrected it. But picking up on Inbaraj's comment about fixing the economy by going after and fixing the benefit system, why doesn't the government focus on fixing the mess that is the tax system? Why is the government taking money from those that need it instead of going after billions of pounds lost to tax loopholes and tax avoidance schemes?Pedro, Hammersmith MPs have rightly called for action to stop dangerous medicine shortages (Metro, Tues). The findings of an All-Party Parliamentary Group on Pharmacy reflect the reality that many patients are facing across the UK with medicine shortages – and it seems many are turning to illicit cannabis use out of desperation. A YouGov report suggests that 1.4million people are self-medicating with illegally obtained cannabis. These are not casual choices but desperate measures taken by individuals who feel abandoned by the system, often without being signposted to alternative, legal treatments. The government needs to urgently act, not just to address shortages, but to ensure patients are signposted to all available options to manage their conditions, including medical cannabis, where appropriate, through safe, regulated, and legal pathways. Nabila Chaudhri, Reading I care about this country and I have a plan to save it: If everyone agreed to pay a tenth of their income back to the treasury I would follow suit and give back ten per cent of my state pension to the state. But I wouldn't agree unless everyone does it. So a footballer on £400,000 a week would return £40,000 a week to the treasury. And pigs may fly. I say this in the week former Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti – one of the world's most successful club football managers of all time – has been sentenced to a year in prison for tax evasion. Richard Farrar, London Has our useless prime minister signed the worst deal in the history of this nation? The deal with France is supposedly 'one in, one out' but I'll bet it will mean in exchange for us sending back one migrant who illegally entered these shores France will send us 17 migrants who haven't attempted the crossing. Labour's stupidity knows no bounds. Andy Watson, Halesowen What with all the hay fever going around leading to sneezing, runny noses and coughs on the buses and trains it's good to see at least some people carrying tissues, thank you for that. Now please can we all agree that after using the tissue, it should not be left on the bus/train's seat or floor! Samuel, Tooting I retired a few years ago and, with more time on my hands, I started devouring news about current affairs. Whether newspapers or television – I just couldn't get enough. I became reasonably well-informed, formed some opinions, and even got some published in Metro. But recently I'm getting increasingly angry at every front page I read. My wife asks me why I get so worked up. She, quite correctly, points out that I was much happier when I read the paper back from the sports pages towards the front, and had probably lost interest before I got to the proper news. What would you do? More Trending Should I endeavour to stay reasonably knowledgeable but health damagingly furious with it? Or would it be better to simply give up, become blissfully unaware of what's going on and go back to being reasonably happy again? Steve Maloney, Merseyside I do wish the media would stop using the phrase 'Post Office scandal' like it's all been some sort of accidental occurrence – the truth is, it has been a colossal corporate stitch-up. The politicians who are supposed to be working in the people's interest have allowed these grifters to use every legal trick to continue to evade compensating their employees for their ruined, and sadly often truncated, lives. Simon, via email MORE: Two courses and a glass of prosecco for £18 at Prix Fixe Brasserie : 10 unmissable Time Out deals MORE: The Metro daily cartoon by Guy Venables MORE: Tadej Pogacar looks unbeatable but the Tour de fatalism may still have a shock in store
Mint
01-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Britain's royals give up their luxury train in the name of fiscal restraint
LONDON—In an era of hard choices for economies around the world, Britain's royal family is also playing its part, waving farewell to perhaps its most extravagant mode of transport. The royal train, the House of Windsor's personalized service that chugs the royals across the country to engagements, will be axed in 2027 after a review concluded that it no longer offered value for money and that two new helicopters would be 'a reliable alternative." The locomotive service, which features bedroom compartments, a dining room and a study, has long been a lightning rod for antimonarchy campaigners who pointed to its cost as emblematic of royal excess. Last year, King Charles III undertook a 190-mile rail trip from England's East Midlands to the capital, which was billed at nearly $62,000. James Chalmers, who manages the royal finances as keeper of the privy purse, said the decision to halt the personal train would mean 'the fondest of farewells." 'In moving forwards we must not be bound by the past," he added. This kind of public fiscal self-flaggelation is nothing new to the British monarchy, which is often at pains to point out its value to U.K. taxpayers who bankroll the franchise. The late Queen Elizabeth II gave up the royal yacht in the 1990s in the name of financial prudence—its farewell ceremony was one of the few occasions where she was seen to shed a tear in public. But this latest decision is all the more surprising given that the royal family's finances are arguably stronger than they have ever been in modern times. The royal family is funded by a chunk of the profits from a huge tract of land, called the Crown Estate, managed by the U.K. Parliament. The Crown Estate—owned by generations of Charles's regal ancestors—owns more than 190,000 acres across Britain, an area roughly the size of New York City that includes parts of the U.K.'s coastal shelf. In recent years, as asset prices have soared, this has turned into a gold mine. The seabed is now being leased for wind turbines, providing bumper revenue. This year the total payout to the monarchy, known as the Sovereign Grant, will increase to 132.1 million pounds, equivalent to about $182 million, from £86.3 million last year. The extra windfall will fund the continuing renovation of Buckingham Place, the royal family said. It is also funding other extra outlays, including increasing staff numbers and average pay bump of 6.4% for courtiers. So while Britain's government considers tax rises and spending cuts to plug a fast-growing deficit, the royal family is in strong financial standing. Accounting for inflation, funding for the monarchy has roughly tripled since 2012, when it stood at around £30 million a year. The royal family says the big payout is justified as most of it goes toward refurbishing Buckingham Palace, which is undergoing extensive rewiring and replumbing. It says excluding this refurbishment cost, the handout to the monarchy has been roughly flat for the past five years. The royal train will stop rolling for the first time since Queen Victoria first commissioned coaches to be pulled by a locomotive in the 1860s. The train's importance in an age of air travel has repeatedly come into question. However, Queen Elizabeth was said to be fond of the train, which her father used extensively to tour the nation during World War II, when it carried its own bath. Following Queen Elizabeth's death in 2022, there were plans for the royal train to carry her coffin down the length of the country from Scotland, where she died, to London. The idea was that mourners could gather at each railway station to bid their farewells. Ultimately this plan was scrapped and her coffin was transported on a plane. Once the train is mothballed, Charles, who has long advocated protecting the environment, will instead use two newly leased helicopters that run on sustainable aviation fuel. The train will be taken on one more tour of Britain before it is retired and can be placed on display. Write to Max Colchester at
Daily Mirror
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Inside King Charles' 'hidden and secret' home royals use for romantic getaways
The Royal Family has one 'hidden and secret' residence that has a long history of love stories, experts have revealed in a new documentary, and it has often been used for romantic getaways by the Windsors Many of the Royal Family's homes are some of the most famous buildings in the UK - with millions of tourists flooding to visit them each and every year. Buckingham Palace is the very centrepiece of London itself, and Windsor Castle - rich with history - dates back nearly 1000 years. The Windsors also have some high-profile properties that they own privately, like the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk - where they spend Christmas every year - and the imposing Balmoral Estate in the Scottish Highlands, where they spend a few weeks in every summer enjoying quality time as a family, far away from the spotlight that is usually trained upon them. But there is a little-known other royal residence that is the subject of a new documentary for Channel 5 and has long been the place where some of the House of Windsor's love stories have played out: Birkhall. A relatively modest - by royal standards anyway - lodge house very near to Balmoral, Birkhall is one of King Charles's retreats - and it's one of his favourite places in the world to spend time, the experts revealed. In Birkhall: The King's Secret Sanctuary, experts explained that it isn't just Charles who has many special memories at the Scottish residence, but in fact, everyone from Prince William to the late Queen has had a significant moment in their love stories play out in this stunning property, and it's even been dubbed the "Honeymoon home" of the Royal Family. Historian Professor Chandrika Kaul revealed that "William apparently spoke to Kate's father and asked his permission to marry Kate on a weekend visit in Birkhall," adding, "And he asked him before he asked Charles!" William getting permission from Michael Middleton to marry his long time girlfriend is by no means the only romantic moment that has occurred at Birkhall. The lodge house was also the setting of Charles's proposal to Camilla who said afterward to the press "I'm just coming down to earth," as she beamed and showed off her engagement ring back in 2005. She is said to have replied, "Of course!" when Charles finally popped the question - and the experts all agreed that Birkhall holds a very special place in the King and Queen's hearts. "I think when they land at Birkhall," said former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond, "It's a case of really 'phew, here we are. We're going to enjoy one another's company, and we're going to walk, and we're going to sit, and we're going to read, we're going to have a little drink, and we're going to just be together.' "I think it is one of their very favourite place to be," she explained. Another expert said that it was the closest thing to a "marital home" the King and Queen actually has. Charles and Camilla also spent their honeymoon there - which the experts revealed is something of a family tradition. The late Queen and Prince Philip also spent their honeymoon up at Birkhall, far away from the spotlight getting to enjoy their first weeks as newlyweds in the seclusion of the stunning Scottish countryside. Jennie Bond explained, "Quite a few newlyweds have chosen to spend their time at Birkhall," with expert Ken Wharfe adding the Duke and Duchess of Kent did the same, and Afua Hagan noting Sophie and Edward also selected it for their honeymoon. "It became known as the sort of honeymoon home," explained Ingrid Seward - editor in chief of Majesty magazine. The "hidden and secret" Birkhall was first purchased by Prince Albert when he took over the lease of Balmoral. He intended his eldest son to use the property, but Prince Edward didn't much enjoy spending time there and the lodge house became something of a "Victorian Airbnb" the documentary revealed. In the 1950s the Queen Mother took over the house, and added an extensive wing to it, elevating it and making it more suitable to host multiple guests. After her death in 2002, it passed to Charles who has further put his own stamp on it, whilst leaving some heartbreaking tributes to his beloved grandmother in place, with whom he was always very close. Birkhall: The King's Secret Sanctuary, is on available to stream on 5! Get the inside scoop on the monarchy with Mirror Royal
Daily Mirror
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Prince William's 'sad' new attitude to Harry feud as he marks new milestone
Prince William is celebrating his 43rd birthday - and friends reportedly say as he approaches the milestone, he has let go of his anger towards his younger brother Prince Harry and is in a 'healthier space' It's no secret that relations between Prince William and Prince Harry are still icy. The once-inseparable brothers have had a strained relationship since Harry and Meghan decided to leave life in the UK, and as working royals, behind and start afresh across the pond. The many public statements the couple made about their time inside the monarchy - and the allegations they have made against other senior royals and their staff, have compounded the existing distance between the brothers. Prince William - a famously private man - is celebrating his 43rd birthday, leaving behind what he has called a "brutal" year that was one of the "hardest" he has experienced. With both his father King Charles and his wife, Princess Kate, going through cancer treatment, William had to walk a delicate balancing act: supporting his family behind closed doors, whilst still keeping up with as much of his royal duties as possible during this time of personal hardship, all whilst under the huge amount of scrutiny that comes with being part of the House of Windsor. A source has revealed to the Sunday Times that these challenges aren't the only thing William is leaving behind as he turns 43 - he has also learned to let go of his "anger" towards his younger brother. After the release of Harry's bombshell memoir Spare - in which he accused his older brother of physically assaulting him in Kensington Palace in 2019, during a disagreement over Meghan - William was reported by pals to be "burning" with rage over the book, which broke records for copies sold. However, these days, just over two years on from Spare's release, it's a completely different story, a friend has revealed. "What has struck me the most recently is that he just doesn't mention it at all," the source was quoted as saying. 'It used to be that the family stuff was taking up a lot of space in his head, it was a very close relationship and he was very upset. But he's not letting it get to him at all anymore. It is a change. It's sad, but it's a much healthier space for him to be at." Harry recently publicly appealed for reconciliation with his family admitting that his father Charles "won't speak" to him over his row with the Home Office regarding the removal of his automatic police security. The Duke of Sussex also claimed in the sit down with the BBC that he doesn't "know how much longer my father has" and noted that he knew "some members of my family will never forgive me for writing a book. Of course, they will never forgive me for lots of things." Recent reports that Meghan and Harry want their two children Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, to have the royal style of 'HRH' are also reported by the Sunday Times to be confusing to royal insiders. The Sussexes are reported to want these styles so their children can choose to be working royals in the future if they want, but "under the next reign, roles for Archie and Lili as working royals are unlikely."
