Prince George’s major break with royal tradition
In a shock move, Prince William is set to change a centuries-old rule as he aims to make his eldest son a “modern monarch”.
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In a huge break from royal family tradition, Prince George will not be expected to join the armed forces before becoming king, an expert has claimed.
Prince William is set to change the rules for his eldest son in an aim to raise a “modern monarch”, The Mail on Sunday reports.
It means Prince George, who will turn 10 on July 22, will be able to say no to the usual stint with the army if he decides that is his preference.
The future king’s father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandmother and great-grandfather all served with the military.
Historian Dominic Sandbrook said: “In theory, there is nothing to stop George from pursuing a career as an astronaut, for example, if that’s what he wants, and then becoming king later.
“The rules are different now, he wouldn’t necessarily have to follow the old formula of going into the military and then Royal life.
“So, could Charlotte qualify as a doctor, for example? I don’t see why not. It’s less of a fishbowl now than when William and Harry were growing up.”
Prince William completed a 44-week training course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst after graduating from university.
He was commissioned as an Army officer in December 2006 was later attached to the Royal Air Force and Navy.
The late Queen was keen to ensure both Prince William and his brother Prince Harry could serve in Afghanistan, although it later proved too risky to send William.
Historian Hugo Vickers told The Mail on Sunday the move was “significant because it shows that times are moving on”.
“I’m all for people keeping up with the times providing they don’t throw tradition out of the window,” he said.
“Maybe the military won’t prove to be the best course for Prince George, although I would hope that he might do something like the Duke of Edinburgh gold award instead, which is non-competitive.
“For King Charles, his naval service in the 1970s was very helpful. It showed the country that he was gainfully employed and it was a role where he would not be using his title for commercial gain.
Mr Vickers said military service allowed members of the royal family to have a sense of normal life and teaches them all sorts of timekeeping and presentation skills which prove to be important for royal duties.
Prince George played a prominent role as a Page of Honour in the coronation of his grandfather, King Charles, last May.
The youngster showed some interest in the military at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire last week, which he attended with his siblings.
The future king was given the task of partially raising the ramp on a huge C-17 transporter aircraft and sat in the cockpit.
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