According to overseas reports, Prince William and Kate Middleton have decided that their eldest son, Prince George, will not be obligated to join the army. While most male members of the royal family serve their country in some way, George will not be compelled to do so unless he chooses to.
Historian Dominic Sandbrook said family traditions are changing and future heirs and members of the royal family can take on civilian rather than military roles.
Prince George and Prince William visiting a military squadron, Photo: GettyImages
A family friend told the Mirror that William and Kate would not stand in their son's way of finding his purpose and passion in life. "On a theoretical level, there's nothing to stop George from being an astronaut, say, if that's what he wants, and only later becoming king."
"The rules are different now, he won't necessarily have to follow the old tradition of joining the army and only then move on to royal life. Could Charlotte be a doctor, for example? I don't see why not. It's different from what happened with William and Harry."
William, Kate and George // Photo: GettyImages
This decision probably followed various references throughout William's life that he was "unhappy with the burden that fell upon him and the different expectations of him at an early age."
Second in line to the throne, like his father, Prince William, he is set to become Britain's future king. Prince George will celebrate his 10th birthday later this month.
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