Prince William and Kate Middleton have received thoughtful advice about the future of their eldest son, Prince George, from someone who knows the royal family well — King Charles’s former butler, Grant Harrold.
Harrold, who served the royal household for several years, shared his thoughts on what the young prince’s path might look like as he grows older. Speaking to Showbiz Cheat Sheet, he suggested that George will likely follow in his father’s footsteps by attending university and possibly continuing the royal tradition of military service.
“I think [George] will go to university. William enjoyed university, and the children seem to enjoy the school and their education,” Harold said. He added that it would be unusual if Prince George did not serve in the military in some capacity, given the long-standing tradition among British royals.
“The real question is whether he will join the armed forces. It is possible that he could take on the position of being head of the Armed Forces and have little or no experience within their armed forces, and learn about it on the job. But it would be very strange if he stopped the tradition in the military.”
Historically, members of the royal family have served in the armed forces, including King Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry. Harrold pointed out that this tradition is deeply tied to the monarchy’s identity. “Historically, royals were all about fighting battles, and if suddenly that stops, that would be quite significant because that’s a big part of what the royal family is about,” he said.
The former butler believes that, even if Prince George does not serve for long, he should still experience military life to understand the role and responsibilities that come with leadership. “We’ve always had royals involved in the military of some sort, even if it’s for a short period of time. So it should still continue,” Harrold advised.
Prince George, who turned 11 in July, is currently third in line to the British throne after his father, Prince William, and grandfather, King Charles III. As the future monarch, many expect his education and early career choices to reflect both modern values and royal tradition.
While the Prince and Princess of Wales have not revealed specific plans for George’s future, royal watchers agree that Harrold’s advice highlights the balance the young royal will eventually need to strike — blending tradition with the evolving expectations of a 21st-century monarchy.