Prince George is now 12 and this is how his life is about to change

Prince George of Wales is celebrating his 12th birthday today, July 22.

The eldest of the three Wales children was born on this day in 2013 at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington and was famously introduced to the world while being cradled in his mother's arms, hours later.

The coming months are expected to bring a number of changes for the young prince, who has spent his entire childhood in the spotlight as he slowly prepares for his eventual role as King of England.

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The young prince is currently second-in-line to the British throne, behind his father Prince William, the Prince of Wales.

Prince George is said to be spending his 12th birthday holidaying with his parents and siblings, and maternal grandparents, in Greece.

The Wales family was spotted in Kefalonia, an island in the Ionian Sea, and were said to be staying on board a luxury yacht, along with Kate's parents Carole and Michael Middleton, according to reports in local media.

The holiday follows a busy period for the royals, with numerous high-profile events including Trooping the Colour, Garter Day, Royal Ascot and the Wimbledon finals.

Prince George was last seen in public at the men's final, attending the Championships with his parents and Princess Charlotte on July 13 and meeting winner Jannik Sinner.

A new school

His birthday this year will be a turning point for the young prince as it marks his last before he enters the teenage years.

George is expected to change schools soon. He is currently a student at Lambrook School, along with his sister and brother, but the age limit for those enrolled is 13.

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The new school year begins in September and Kensington Palace has not yet revealed where Prince George will go when he turns 13, even though a decision has likely already been made.

The two main contenders were said to be the exclusive co-educational Marlborough College, the former school of Kate and her siblings Pippa and James, along with Princess Eugenie.

Rumours abounded that William and Kate were considering the school for their eldest son after Kate and George were seen on a private visit to the campus in Wiltshire, about an hour's drive from the Wales' current home in Windsor, Adelaide Cottage.

But if that does happen, Prince George would be parting with tradition followed by his father and grandfather, King Charles, by attending a co-educational school.

Prince William and Kate are keeping their options open, with the royal couple previously visiting Eton College in Windsor, the alma mater of Prince William and Prince Harry.

Another option for Prince George was said to be St Edward's School in Oxford, about an hour from the Wales' home in Windsor.

Travel rules changing

Prince George's birthday this year could also see him travel very differently from how he has in the past.

According to royal family tradition, Prince George will no longer be able to fly in an aircraft with his father after turning 12.

The rule is in place to protect the royal family's future line of succession, in case of a catastrophic event mid-air.

The late Queen Elizabeth II had to give special permission for Prince William and Prince George to travel on the same aircraft when they flew to Australia and New Zealand in 2014 as royal protocol usually dictates that direct heirs to the throne travel separately.

It is believed the special permission has been granted at other times since then.

News of the unusual rule was revealed ahead of Prince George's 11th birthday by King Charles's former pilot, Graham Laurie.

He told OK! magazine: "We flew all four: the Prince [Charles], the Princess [the late Diana], Prince William and Prince Harry, up until Prince William was 12 years old.

"After that, he had to have a separate aircraft and we could only fly all four together when they were young with the written permission of Her Majesty.

"When William became 12, he would fly normally in a 125 from Northolt and we would fly the 146 out with the other three on."

But as Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are not destined to be full-time working royals like George, they are likely to be allowed to fly with him and their mother, the Princess of Wales.

Prince George's monumental 2025

Earlier this year, Prince George took a major step towards his eventual role as monarch by taking part in his most significant official royal engagement to date.

Following an appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for VE Day in May, he attended a morning tea inside the palace for veterans and their families.

Prince George was brought along to the tea party by his parents, with his father heard telling one of the veterans that the 11-year-old was "very keen" to hear more about their wartime experiences.

George's inclusion at the tea party was a significant learning moment for the prince, not only as eventual King but as future Head of the Armed Forces.

Like his grandfather and father, George will likely have a future in the Armed Forces. Last year it was revealed that he had already begun flying lessons.

The tea party at Buckingham Palace was by no means Prince George's first official engagement, but it was the first where he had been heard speaking to members of the public and interacting with them as the more senior royals were doing.

Prince George's inclusion on VE Day was the first official appearance for the royal of 2025, following Christmas Day at Sandringham.

It is likely we will see more of Prince George at equally important events moving forward, but in the coming months it is likely that school will be his main focus – possibly the most normal part of his very unique childhood.

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