Prince George, 10, looked every inch the young man as he enjoyed a day out at Wembley Stadium with his father, the Prince of Wales, during the recent FA Cup Final, says former BBC Royal Correspondent Jennie Bond.
Prince William and his eldest son Prince George demonstrated their tight-knit bond during a recent football match at Wembley Stadium. The Royal pair were spotted in the stands to witness the FA Cup final, with 10-year old George evidently sharing his dad’s passion for football.
Prince George seemed unable to wipe the grin off his face as he and his father watched Manchester United secure victory over rivals Manchester City for the second consecutive year with a scoreline of 2-1. This public outing allowed fans of the royals to see firsthand the confident young man that George has become.
Commenting on the event, former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond told OK!: “He’s a handsome little boy and clearly idolises his father,” Jennie shares. “Outings like this must make the two of them even closer and they will provide a much-needed escape from the inevitable stress of home life when someone you love so much is being treated for cancer.”
Ever since his first public appearances, Prince George has been known for his good manners, largely attributed to his upbringing with a firm comprehension of his future Royal duties. However, according to Jennie Bond, we might get glimpses of a different persona of this young prince when hes away from the prying eyes of the public, relaxing at home with dad William, 41, and mum, Kate, 42.
“I’m sure that, behind the scenes, he and William have some rough and tumble, father-and-son fun,” she says. “And that’s the balance that William and Catherine are helping him find princely behaviour when required and normal 10-year-old antics the rest of the time.”
Reflecting on her time spent with the late Princess Diana, Jennie notes the striking similarities between Prince William’s upbringing and his and Kate Middleton’s parenting approach.
“The balance they’ve created is exactly the way Diana brought up her sons. She told me that she was determined that they would have a different outlook on life to other royal princes,” she says.
“Diana organised play days and work days for them. Days when they could wear jeans and baseball caps, eat burgers and race around on go-karts like other kids of their age, and days when they would have to wear suits and ties and behave like princes. It was an important life lesson for William… and he is following Diana’s example with George and his siblings.”
During the match, William, who serves as the President of the Football Association, was there to offer his son a few gentle words of encouragement as they handed over the FA Cup to Bruno Fernandes, the captain of the victorious team.
Prince William and Prince George, both looking sharp in their matching navy suits and striped ties, may not have been cheering on their favourite team Aston Villa, but they certainly presented a united front of Royal neutrality.
The father-son outing occurred just before it was revealed that the Princess of Wales has been seen enjoying family time “out and about” following her courageous disclosure that she’s undergoing preventative chemotherapy.
This update is widely regarded as encouraging, especially after palace officials expressed how moved they were by the “tens of thousands” of get-well wishes sent to Kate.
Commentator Jennie notes that this wave of public support likely provided solace to Kate amidst her toughest times. “I’m sure that like any other young mum, Catherine’s biggest worry has been the effect of her illness on her children, so it’s great to learn that she has been seen out with the family,” she remarked.
Jennie added that Kate’s insight into early childhood development would have helped her address her children’s concerns about her health. She also suggested that William’s approach would be influenced by Kate’s.
Jennie expressed her hope that the lack of news about Kate’s condition might help protect George, Charlotte, and Louis during this challenging period for the family.
Jennie said: “Her knowledge about the importance of early years development will have guided her in tackling the children’s uncertainties and worries about her illness. And William will take his lead from her. I fervently hope that the news blackout about her progress has gone some little way to shielding George, Charlotte and Louis at what is a very difficult time for the family.”
The tumultuous events of recent years have thrown Prince George’s future into stark relief. Unlike his two younger siblings, every phase of the young prince’s life has been preordained from the moment he was born. While he is destined to be King one day, he will first serve as a working royal, championing causes that resonate with him personally.
“To see the Platinum Jubilee, followed by the Queen’s death, followed by all that happened after that with the change in reigns and then the coronation… that is a lot for a 10-year-old to absorb.”
“Perhaps William and Catherine would like to have introduced him to the idea of what was going to happen a little more gradually, because it’s been almost a baptism of fire.”
“It has quite literally been ‘you’re second in line to the throne, this is your destiny’ and there it was, writ large and globally – this is what’s going to happen to you. I hope that they have taken him to one side and calmed him, explained to him and – more than anything – listened to him.”
