Prince William Upholds Princess Diana’s Noisy Gift Tradition for Prince George’s 12th Birthday

Prince George is about to turn 12, marking significant changes in his royal life, including new restrictions on travel where he can no longer fly with Prince William without King Charles’ permission, emphasizing the growing responsibilities tied to his future role. As he approaches adolescence, George's etiquette training will intensify, and he may soon attend prestigious schools like St Edward’s or Eton, though no official decisions have been announced. Prince William, influenced by his mother Princess Diana’s challenging experience with royal traditions, seeks to modernize the monarchy by reducing excess and focusing his royal duties more narrowly. The family also continues cherished traditions started by Diana, such as gifting George noisy, complicated toys through his godmother Julia Samuel, which William humorously struggles to assemble each year. Despite the weighty responsibilities, William and Kate strive to protect their children’s privacy and celebrate milestones with affectionate gestures, including annual birthday photographs. This blend of honoring past legacies while preparing George for future duties highlights the evolving nature of the British royal family under the current Prince of Wales.