When Prince George, the eldest son of the Prince and Princess of Wales, becomes King, it will be a big break from royal tradition, according to experts.
The young prince, now 10 years old, is expected to follow his grandfather’s path of creating a “less formal” and modern monarchy.
However, if he decides not to serve in the military, he might miss out on an “important sense of discipline,” experts say.
Prince George as King
Simon Vigar, a royal commentator, mentioned that the Royal Family is already becoming more streamlined and less formal. He believes George will continue this trend.
Vigar also noted that George being the first future king with a “commoner” as his mother is a huge change from tradition.
Another commentator, Richard Kay, said the British monarchy in the future will be more like those in mainland Europe.
In the documentary “Prince George: A King for the Future,” Kay explained that King Charles is trying to transition the monarchy from its empire roots to fit the current small island nation.
By the time George is King, the monarchy will look very different.
Last year, it was reported that George might not be required to serve in the military before becoming King, which would break a tradition that has lasted for centuries. This is significant because the monarch is the Commander-in-Chief of Britain’s armed forces.
George’s father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandmother, and great-grandfather all served in the military, following a long-standing tradition.
Royal biographer Robert Jobson believes military service is important for Prince George.
He said it provides a sense of discipline and helps royals understand their rank and not become too self-important.
Historian Dominic Sandbrook wrote in The Mail that royals joining the Armed Forces, even for short periods, adds crucial legitimacy to the monarchy.
We will have to wait for the young prince to inherit the throne to see how modern the British monarchy will be.
It seems that everything will depend on his decision to skip military service, a time-honored tradition in the royal family.