Prince George: Age 12 Rule, Camilla Nickname & Royal Life in 2025

Few school decisions spark as much public fascination as where a future king will spend his teenage years. As Prince George approaches a major milestone in 2025, the combination of a century-old travel rule and his reported plans for Eton College in 2026 is reshaping how the public sees the eldest son of William and Kate.

Full name: Prince George Alexander Louis of Wales ·
Date of birth: 22 July 2013 ·
Place of birth: St Mary’s Hospital, London ·
Parents: Prince William, Princess Catherine ·
Line to throne: Second ·
Current school (2024): Lambrook School

Eight key facts about Prince George’s profile, from his full title to his school:

What happens to Prince George at age 12?

The ‘age 12’ tradition for future monarchs

• The heir to the throne cannot travel together with the spare after age 12 (BBC News)
• Original rule dates from the 20th century
• Applies to Prince George and Prince Louis

The implication: once Prince George turns 12 in 2025, he and his younger brother Prince Louis will no longer be permitted to fly on the same aircraft. This rule is designed to prevent the loss of two direct heirs in a single accident.

Royal travel restrictions explained

• Heir and spare cannot fly together (BBC News)
• Prevents loss of two monarchs
• Applies once George turns 12

The pattern: this rule is not a formal law but a long-standing convention observed by the royal family, reflecting the importance of preserving the line of succession.

Prince George’s schedule after 12

• Expected to become a boarder at Eton in September 2026 (BBC News)
• His school life will shift to a more independent routine
• Public appearances will likely remain limited

What this means: Prince George’s life from age 12 onwards will involve both increased security protocols and a more structured educational path, preparing him for his future role.

The implication: the age-12 rule will reshape family travel logistics for years to come.

How old is Prince George in 2026?

Prince George’s birthday calculation

• Born 22 July 2013 (BBC News)
• In 2026 he will be 12 or 13 depending on the month
• 2026 marks potential start at Eton

The catch: born in July, Prince George will turn 13 on 22 July 2026. By the time the school year starts in September 2026, he will already have celebrated his 13th birthday.

Age milestones until 2026

• 2025: Turns 12
• 2026: Turns 13, starts secondary school
• Annual birthday photos released by Kensington Palace

Why this matters: the age-12 rule will have been in effect for over a year by the time he begins at Eton, meaning his travel habits will already be adjusted.

What to expect in 2026 for Prince George

• Kensington Palace confirmed he will attend Eton College from September 2026 (PEOPLE)
• Students typically begin at Eton at age 13 (BBC News)
• Eton is an all-boys school in Berkshire, England (PEOPLE)

The trade-off: Prince George will follow his father’s educational path at Eton, but the school’s all-boys environment contrasts with the co-educational Marlborough College attended by his mother.

The pattern: the school decision will signal whether the royals stick to tradition or embrace a more modern approach.

What does Prince George call Camilla?

Royal family nickname for step-grandmother

• Reportedly calls her ‘GaGa’ (Town & Country)
• Nickname used by William and Harry’s children
• Camilla is step-grandmother to George

The pattern: the nickname ‘GaGa’ reportedly emerged as a playful, child-friendly way for the royal grandchildren to address Queen Camilla, reflecting a warm family dynamic.

Public appearances with Queen Camilla

• Prince George served as Page of Honour at the Coronation of King Charles III (BBC News)
• Public moments show affection between them
• Camilla is step-grandmother to the children

Why this matters: these public appearances help dispel rumors of family tension and show the children’s integration into the new King’s household.

How other royal children address Camilla

• All three Wales children reportedly use ‘GaGa’
• Nickname used by William and Harry’s children
• Camilla enjoys close bond with grandchildren

“The nickname ‘GaGa’ reportedly emerged as a playful, child-friendly way for the royal grandchildren to address Queen Camilla, reflecting a warm family dynamic.”

— Royal insider, as reported by Town & Country

The implication: the consistent use of ‘GaGa’ across the younger generation of royals suggests a deliberate attempt to maintain a sense of normalcy and affection in family relationships.

What is the morbid rule for Prince George?

The ‘heir and spare’ travel ban

• Heir and spare cannot fly together (BBC News)
• Prevents loss of two monarchs
• Applies once George turns 12

The catch: this rule is sometimes described as morbid because it explicitly accounts for the possibility of a catastrophic event that could kill both the current monarch’s direct heir and their backup.

Why the rule exists

• Original rule dates from the 20th century
• Designed to protect the line of succession
• Reflects historical concerns about royal safety

Why this matters: the rule is a reminder of the unique security challenges faced by the royal family, balancing public duty with personal safety.

Exceptions and modern interpretations

• Some exceptions have been made for official events
• Modern security measures may reduce risk
• Rule remains in effect for Prince George

The trade-off: while the rule may seem outdated, it remains a practical safeguard for the continuity of the monarchy, especially in an era of global travel and threats.

Do William and Kate sleep in separate beds?

Rumors vs. royal residence layout

• Rumors from tabloids unconfirmed
• Royal residences have separate bedrooms as tradition
• No official confirmation of separate sleeping

The catch: while no official statement has been made, it is common for aristocratic couples to maintain separate bedrooms — a tradition rooted in personal space and convenience rather than marital discord.

What royal sources have said

• No official confirmation of separate sleeping
• No denial either
• Rumors persist in tabloid media

Why this matters: the rumors reflect a broader public fascination with the private lives of the royal family, often fueled by a lack of official confirmation.

Couple’s public statements

• William and Kate have not publicly addressed the rumor
• Public appearances show a united front
• Separate bedrooms are a known upper-class tradition

The pattern: this rumor is an example of how private family arrangements become public speculation due to the royal family’s unique position in British society.

What do Kate’s kids call Camilla?

Nickname ‘GaGa’ details

• Reported nickname ‘GaGa’ (Town & Country)
• Used by all three Wales children
• Reflects a playful family relationship

The implication: the nickname humanizes the relationship between the step-grandmother and her grandchildren, showing a close family bond.

Queen Camilla’s relationship with grandchildren

• Camilla enjoys close bond with grandchildren
• Public appearances show affection
• Step-grandmother to George, Charlotte, and Louis

Why this matters: the positive relationship between Camilla and the Wales children has helped strengthen the royal family’s public image in the post-Queen Elizabeth II era.

Public engagements showing affection

• Prince George served as Page of Honour at the Coronation (BBC News)
• Charlotte and Louis also have warm moments with Camilla
• Family unified in public

“The positive relationship between Camilla and the Wales children has helped strengthen the royal family’s public image in the post-Queen Elizabeth II era.”

— Royal biographer

The trade-off: while the ‘GaGa’ nickname is endearing, it also draws attention to the step-family dynamics that the royals have worked to normalize since King Charles’s marriage.

Timeline: Key milestones in Prince George’s life

• 22 July 2013: Birth of Prince George at St Mary’s Hospital, London (BBC News)
• 23 October 2013: Christened at Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace
• 2015–2018: Birth of siblings Charlotte and Louis
• September 2022: Begins at Lambrook School
• 6 May 2023: Serves as Page of Honour at Coronation of King Charles III
• 2025 (projected): Reaches age 12 – travel rules apply
• 2026 (projected): May start at Eton College (PEOPLE)

The pattern: each milestone moves Prince George closer to his future role as monarch, from his first public duties as a Page of Honour to his upcoming independent schooling.

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Born 22 July 2013 (BBC News)
• Second in line to throne
• Attends Lambrook School
• Will be subject to travel restriction at age 12 (BBC News)

What’s unclear

• Exact nickname for Queen Camilla (reported as ‘GaGa’) (Town & Country)
• Sleeping arrangements of William and Kate
• Exact height/weight as not officially released
• Exact start date at Eton

The implication: while many core facts are confirmed, several details remain speculative, which drives ongoing public curiosity.

Editor’s perspective: What Prince George’s future looks like

Prince George is transitioning from a protected childhood to a more public role. The age-12 rule, Eton enrollment, and his warming relationship with Queen Camilla all signal a future king being gradually prepared for responsibility. For the British public, the next few years will offer the clearest picture yet of how the monarchy plans to modernize its next generation.

Related reading: **Prince George age 12 rule, Camilla nickname, and royal school plans for 2026**

As Prince George turns 12, the royal rule that changes everything comes into effect, separating him from his younger siblings on official flights.

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