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He’s about to turn 13, and embark on a “whole new world” at the prestigious Eton College – but on July 12, as young Prince George accompanied his family to watch tennis at Wimbledon, he gave a secret signal that may have betrayed his true feelings about the road ahead.
George was joined by his sister Princess Charlotte, 11, and parents Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales, in the Royal Box to watch Jannik Sinner of Italy beat Alexander Zverev of Germany in the Gentlemen’s Singles final.
The same day, he was by his mother’s side in footage that captured her wishing a happy birthday to British player Arthur Fery, and handing over a celebratory card.
The snippet – shared to social media by the organisers of Wimbledon where it garnered almost 100k ‘likes’ – showed George shaking the hand of the tennis player – and listening politely as Kate chatted to the star.
However, Australian body language expert Dr Louise Mahler told Woman’s Day that the second in line to the British throne was “clearly struggling” with being thrust into the spotlight during the much-watched tennis event.
“Meeting Arthur Frey did not appear to be his idea of an enjoyable day,” the expert shared. “His discomfort showed immediately: a lopsided mouth, a tightly clenched expression and his gaze fixed firmly on the ground.
“He shuffled in behind Catherine with his hands in his pockets, then seemed to realise that might not be the best look and quickly pulled them out. That only created a new problem: what on earth should he do with them?
“He wiped his nose, shook hands with Mr Frey, glanced anxiously around the room and fiddled desperately with his fingers. By the end of the engagement, he released a large, stress-laden breath, his face still carrying the strain of the occasion.”
Mahler stressed that George’s actions were not a sign of “arrogance or bad manners”.
“It was the behaviour of a young person feeling intensely uncomfortable in a very public setting,” she explained, adding that the young prince “is 12 years old, not a seasoned diplomat”.
But the truth is that – as his father’s heir – Prince George is facing a future very much in the public eye, and his appearance at Wimbledon could be a taste of things to come.
It’s a stark contrast to the life currently enjoyed by the young royal’s Montecito-based cousins, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five.
Their parents – William’s estranged brother Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex – have kept their faces hidden from public view: a benefit afforded to them after they stepped back from royal duties in 2020.
While the Sussexes and their children finally reunited with King Charles at Highgrove on July 10, the couple’s icy divide with William and Kate shows no sign of thawing.
“Prince William remains adamant Harry isn’t to be trusted,” royal expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital.
Indeed, there are reports there remains a “total blackout” between the once-close brothers.
“George is very aware of the ongoing situation involving his father and uncle, he’s old enough to read and digest this stuff and of course it’s a huge talking point amongst the entire family,” an insider tells Woman’s Day, adding that he will have been aware of his cousins’ trip to see his grandfather.
“The view inside the monarchy is that George and the other children would love to have had face time with the Sussexes, but ultimately they trust their parents’ judgment and they also know better than to push,” the source adds.
“It’s not something that gets much air time at home, as it’s such a touchy subject for William especially. But George will still occasionally ask questions about the situation, if only to clarify what’s really going on and so he can separate facts from the rumours.”
William and Kate have reportedly told the young Prince that they are “taking a break” from their American relatives – something that George has “had no choice but to accept”.
“By all accounts it does sadden him, he has some very fond memories of his time with Harry especially,” the source goes on. “And like most people he hopes that one day everyone can make peace and find a way to get along.
“That being said, he is extremely loyal to his parents, he doesn’t question them or pry too deeply into the nuts and bolts of the situation. And it’s not as though he doesn’t have a lot of other matters to keep him occupied, especially with his time at Eton coming up and all the added responsibility and pressure that’s coming his way now he’s spending more time in the limelight.”
But with George’s discomfort over public scrutiny clear to see during his Wimbledon foray, the insider says Kate is “naturally nervous” for her son.
“She knows he’s essentially a pretty shy character who can find it a little awkward at times when he’s thrust in front of the cameras,” they go on.
“He handled himself well enough at Wimbledon but it was obvious to people around them, plus Kate herself, that he was also a little nervous and a little awkward.
“She’s working hard to instill confidence, telling George how proud she and his dad are and encouraging him to take part in more of these meet-and-greet type of events.”
The source goes on to explain that it’s the “same path” that Kate, William and all the other senior royals have had to navigate in the past – adding that it’s Kate’s “honour and pleasure” to be helping with George’s training in that regard.
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