A young royal's passion for aviation has captured the public's attention, and it seems Prince George is following in his father's footsteps.
Prince George's love for all things airborne has been a well-known fact since his early childhood. His mother, the Princess of Wales, recently revealed that her eldest son's knowledge of aircraft surpasses her own. This revelation came during a solemn Armistice Day ceremony, where the Princess laid a wreath at the National Memorial Arboretum.
After the ceremony, the Princess, dressed in respectful black attire, met with war veterans. Among them was Geoffrey Spencer, a 100-year-old RAF veteran and hero of VJ Day, who shared stories of flying Lancaster Bombers during World War II. The Princess's response highlighted George's deep interest in aviation, especially Airfix models and the iconic Lancaster Bomber.
But here's where it gets intriguing...
Prince George's fascination with flying has been evident since his first official engagement at just two years old. He joined his parents at the Royal International Air Tattoo, donning blue ear defenders and even getting a chance to sit in the cockpit of a Red Arrow aircraft and inside a Squirrel helicopter. This early exposure to aviation has clearly left a lasting impression on the young Prince.
During the Waleses' royal tour of Germany and Poland in 2017, George seemed right at home, climbing aboard a helicopter in Hamburg. And more recently, in 2023, he was given the opportunity to operate the controls of a C-17 aircraft at the Royal International Air Tattoo. These experiences have undoubtedly fueled his passion for aviation.
And this is the part most people miss...
Prince William, George's father, has also shared insights into his son's potential future as a pilot. At a Buckingham Palace garden party, William described George as a "potential pilot in the making." It's reported that George even had his first flying lesson during the school summer holidays in 2024.
If George chooses to pursue military training, he could very well follow in his father's footsteps. Prince William served with the search and rescue force at RAF Valley in Anglesey from 2010 to 2013. He then became a helicopter pilot with the East Anglian Air Ambulance for two years before stepping down to take on full-time royal duties.
So, when will we see Prince George carrying out royal duties?
The Prince and Princess of Wales are taking a gradual approach, prioritizing George's education first. According to Robert Hardman's book, "King Charles III: The Inside Story," George is unlikely to take on full-time royal responsibilities until he's much older and has completed his education. This is a stark contrast to the way Prince William's own future was mapped out without consultation.
William had a significant degree of autonomy in choosing his university education, engaging with the armed forces, and introducing himself to regular royal duties. He wants the same, if not more, involvement for George in shaping his royal role. A Kensington Palace veteran stated, "There is no expectation that any royal duties are going to kick in until George is well into his twenties." It seems the Waleses are determined to give their son a more hands-on and personalized journey into his royal duties.
What do you think? Should Prince George be given more opportunities to engage with his potential future as a pilot, or should he focus solely on his education and royal duties later in life? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
