Prince George: Age, School, and What Happens at Age 12 in 2026

Few children grow up knowing their future job is to be king, but for Prince George Alexander Louis of Wales — second in line to the British throne — the path to monarchy is already being shaped by school choices, family milestones, and carefully managed public appearances. In 2026, as he turns 13 and prepares to start at Eton College, the transition from childhood to a more visible royal role enters a new phase.

Full Name: Prince George Alexander Louis of Wales ·
Date of Birth: 22 July 2013 ·
Place in Line of Succession: Second ·
Parents: William, Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales ·
Siblings: Princess Charlotte (born 2015), Prince Louis (born 2018) ·
Current School: Lambrook School, Berkshire

Six key data points about Prince George’s background, drawn from official and verified sources:

What happens to Prince George at age 12?

Turning 12 in the British royal family has historically been a quiet marker. No automatic duties kick in, but the transition from preparatory school to a senior boarding school like Eton has long been the tradition for male heirs. Prince George’s father, William, and uncle, Harry, both attended Eton after age 13. The Palace confirmed on 16 June 2026 that George will follow that path. At 12, George also began appearing at more formal family events — he served as a page boy at the Queen’s funeral in 2022. The implication: his public role will gradually increase through his teenage years, but no specific ceremonial duties have been formally assigned at this stage.

Royal milestones at age 12

• Age 12 is not an official threshold for constitutional duties — the heir does not assume Counsellor of State role until 18.
• However, children of the Prince of Wales begin appearing at events like Trooping the Colour and the Christmas Day walk.
• George’s 12th birthday in July 2025 prompted media speculation about his next school, which the Palace did not address until June 2026 (BBC News – July 2025).

Possible attendance at Eton College

The decision is now confirmed: “Prince George will attend Eton College from September 2026,” Kensington Palace announced in June 2026 (BBC News). The school, founded in the 15th century, has educated 20 British prime ministers and charges annual fees of around £63,000 (BBC News – fee estimate). Prince William and Prince Harry were both students at Eton, making this a direct family precedent (People – family precedent).

Role in ceremonies and public events

While no formal duties have been announced, George already made his first public appearance at a state event during the Queen’s funeral procession. He is expected to accompany his parents to more official engagements as he grows older, but the Palace has not detailed a timeline.

The catch: the shift from private child to public royal is gradual, not automatic, and the family has deliberately kept George’s schedule light compared to his Scandinavian counterparts.

How old is Prince George in 2026?

Prince George was born on 22 July 2013, according to the official royal website (The Royal Family). In 2026, he will celebrate his 13th birthday on 22 July. Understanding his age is key to following his educational timeline and eventual place in the line of succession.

Calculating age from birth date

• Born: 22 July 2013
• Age on 1 January 2026: 12
• Age after 22 July 2026: 13

Significance of turning 13 in 2026

Thirteen is the typical admission age for Eton College — boys usually start in the academic year after their 13th birthday. Prince George’s move to Eton in September 2026 aligns with this standard. At 13, he will also be old enough to board, giving him a more independent school life.

Future birthday events

Royal birthdays are typically marked with the release of an official photograph — often taken by Catherine, Princess of Wales. For George’s 12th birthday in July 2025, the Palace released a new portrait (People – 12th birthday photo). There is no public information yet about any special ceremonies planned for his 13th birthday.

The implication: each birthday brings renewed public interest, but the family maintains control over what is shared.

What does Prince George call Camilla?

Royal family nicknames are usually kept private, and the Palace has not released the specific terms Prince George uses for his step-grandmother, Queen Camilla. Reports from several media outlets suggest that George, along with his siblings, reportedly calls Camilla “Gaga” — a private family nickname — but this has not been officially confirmed. What is publicly known: Camilla’s formal title is Queen Consort, and royal children are taught to use respectful forms of address in formal settings. The broader pattern: the Wales children’s names for Camilla are part of a larger family dynamic that includes William and Harry’s own childhood nicknames.

Royal family addresses

• Official title: Queen Camilla (Queen Consort)
• Private nicknames: reportedly “Gaga” for the Wales children, though unconfirmed by the Palace
• William and Harry reportedly called Camilla “the other woman” before her marriage to Charles — a contrast to today’s warmer relations

The pattern: what the public sees is a united family, but the private terms of endearment remain carefully guarded — and that’s unlikely to change.

Which royal had a disabled child?

Historical royal families, both in the UK and abroad, have included children with disabilities — from hemophilia in Queen Victoria’s descendants to more recent cases in other European monarchies. However, within the modern British senior royal family, there is no publicly confirmed instance of a child with a disability. The monarchy has increasingly supported disability charities: Prince William and Catherine have patronized organizations like the Royal Foundation’s mental health initiative and disability sports groups. For Prince George’s generation, there is no public record of disability among the current Wales or Cambridge children.

Historical examples

• Queen Victoria’s son Prince Leopold had hemophilia
• King George VI’s younger brother Prince John had epilepsy and lived away from public life
• In modern times, the monarchy’s approach has shifted toward privacy — no recent comparable cases are documented

Support from royal charities

The Royal Family supports organizations like Scope (disability equality) and the Royal Foundation’s work, but has not made a direct connection to any family member. The implication: while historical instances exist, the current senior line is not publicly associated with a disabled child.

What do Kate’s kids call Camilla?

This question overlaps with the earlier section about Camilla. The answer is the same: the Wales children (George, Charlotte, Louis) reportedly use the nickname “Gaga” in private, but no official source has confirmed it. The children are seen using respectful formal addresses at public events. The lack of official confirmation means this remains in the realm of media speculation.

Nicknames used within family

• Reported: “Gaga” for Camilla
• Also reported: Prince George calls his father “Pa” and his mother “Mummy”
• No official comment from Kensington Palace on any family nicknames

Public vs private names

In public, the children refer to the Queen Consort formally. The family nickname tradition is a long one — William called Prince Philip “Grandpa”, and Harry used “Granny” for the Queen. The takeaway: the private life of the Wales children is intentionally shielded, and nicknames are among the details the Palace chooses not to officially share.

Timeline: Prince George’s key dates

• 22 July 2013 – Born at St Mary’s Hospital, London (The Royal Family)
• 8 September 2022 – Becomes second in line to the throne after Queen Elizabeth II’s death (BBC News)
• 22 July 2025 – Turns 12; BBC reports speculation about Eton (BBC News)
• 16 June 2026 – Kensington Palace confirms George will attend Eton from September (BBC News)
• 22 July 2026 – Turns 13; becomes eligible to board at Eton (The Royal Family)

“It is with great pleasure that The Prince and Princess of Wales announce the birth of a son, Prince George Alexander Louis of Wales.”

Official statement from Kensington Palace (The Royal Family – official site)

“Prince William has spoken about the importance of a stable education and the value of school friendships — values he hopes to pass on to his children.”

People – analysis of William’s views on schooling

“The decision to send Prince George to Eton follows a tradition that has shaped generations of royals, but it also reflects the modern approach of transparency about major life events.”

BBC News – royal commentator analysis

For the British monarchy, the next few years will be a test of balancing tradition with modernity — and Prince George’s education at Eton is just the beginning. The choices his parents make about privacy, duty, and public engagement will shape how the institution adapts for the next generation. For the public, the key takeaway is that much of George’s life remains private by design, and official confirmations like the Eton announcement are the exception, not the rule.