Prince George, now just 11 years old, may soon face a whirlwind of public attention that could dramatically reshape his childhood.
As the young prince inches toward his teenage years, there’s growing concern about the intense media focus he may encounter—something his parents, Prince William and Princess Kate, have been carefully preparing for.
Prince George’s privacy could change dratically
When Prince William was George’s age, he was attending Ludgrove boarding school, a setting where staff took steps to shield him from royal gossip by restricting newspapers and TV. But by age 15, after a 1998 tour of Canada, William’s life changed dramatically as he became the focal point of a media frenzy dubbed “Willsmania.”
Crowds gathered, swooning and holding signs, as people struggled to believe they were seeing the young prince in person.
Tim Luckhurst, a journalism professor, notes that the royal family’s relationship with the press has always been a “Faustian pact”—while they generate huge interest and sales, they must also sacrifice some privacy.
Today, the pressure is even greater with social media amplifying each story, creating an environment much harder to control than it was for William and Harry in the 1990s.
The Wales are all too aware of how fast things could escalate for George, especially in an age where speculation and gossip can spread in seconds online. This year alone, for example, Kate became the subject of intense social media theories about her health, which spiraled so out of control that the palace eventually released a public statement.
William and Kate have navigated their own lives in the spotlight by balancing limited public appearances with carefully managed photo releases.
On their children’s birthdays, Kate often takes family photos herself, allowing the media some access while maintaining privacy. The hope is that this approach will help protect George, along with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, as they grow up under the public eye.
But the family’s relationship with the press faces additional challenges from the international media. In the past, foreign outlets have disregarded British privacy norms, from publishing invasive paparazzi photos to sharing leaked information about royal engagements.
As George moves closer to adolescence, William and Kate are likely weighing their options on how best to protect him. Luckhurst points out that, though social media can’t be fully controlled, ignoring the gossip is sometimes the best approach for public figures.