Prince George is not expected to join the armed forces before becoming king

Prince George is not expected to do military service before becoming king, breaking a centuries-old tradition.

The second heir to the throne will be allowed to avoid regular service in the armed forces if he so chooses, The Mail on Sunday reckons, giving him the freedom to shape his own destiny.

It would be a significant farewell for the royal family as the monarch is the supreme commander of the British armed forces. George’s father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandmother, and great-grandfather all served in the military, abiding by centuries-old precedent.

Historian Dominic Sandbrook wrote in that newspaper today: “The tradition of royalty joining the armed forces, even for brief periods, gives the monarchy crucial legitimacy.”

But to mark Prince George’s tenth birthday on Saturday, a longtime friend of George’s father, Prince William, said: “In theory, there’s nothing stopping George from pursuing a career as an astronaut, for example, if that’s what he wants, and later becoming king.”

Prince George is not expected to do military service before becoming king, breaking a centuries-old tradition

Prince George is not expected to do military service before becoming king, breaking a centuries-old tradition

William trained at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst and served in the armed forces for over seven years

William trained at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst and served in the armed forces for over seven years

During World War II, the late Queen served as Princess Elizabeth with the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), a branch of the army that women could join to do work that freed men for front-line duties

During World War II, the late Queen served as Princess Elizabeth with the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), a branch of the army that women could join to do work that freed men for front-line duties

King Charles (pictured with Queen Camilla at Trooping the Color in June) served as Prince of Wales between 1971 and 1976 in both the Royal Navy and the RAF

King Charles (pictured with Queen Camilla at Trooping the Color in June) served as Prince of Wales between 1971 and 1976 in both the Royal Navy and the RAF

“The rules are different now, he wouldn’t necessarily have to follow the old formula of going into the military and then going into royal life.”

“For example, could Charlotte qualify as a doctor?” I don’t see why not. It’s less of a fishbowl now than it was when William and Harry were growing up.’

The historian Hugo Vickers said, “This is significant because it shows that times are moving on.” I am for moving with the times as long as you don’t overthrow tradition.

“Maybe the military doesn’t prove to be the best path for Prince George, although I would hope he gets something like the Duke of Edinburgh’s gold award instead, which isn’t competitive.”

“For King Charles, his naval service was very helpful in the 1970s.” It showed the country that he was employed and that he would not use his title for commercial gain.

“Military service gives members of the royal family a sense of normal life, grants them a measure of freedom, and teaches them all sorts of time-keeping and presentation skills that prove important in royal duties.”

“What clearly doesn’t work are the cases where members of the royal family do commercial ventures.” It always goes wrong.’

George showed his first interest in the military at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Friday. He was given the task of partially raising the ramp of a huge C-17 transport plane and was happy to sit in the cockpit and “flip some switches”.

1689493270 70 Prince George is not expected to join the armed forces

Last month George was seen looking around Eton with his parents, sparking speculation he could be following in his father’s footsteps and attending the elite school

The late Queen was keen to ensure that her two grandsons would serve in the line of succession to the Afghan throne, although sending William later proved too risky.  Pictured: Prince Harry in Afghanistan

The late Queen was keen to ensure that her two grandsons would serve in the line of succession to the Afghan throne, although sending William later proved too risky. Pictured: Prince Harry in Afghanistan

While Prince George's future career is still a long way off, those close to the Prince and Princess of Wales say they should give their children the freedom to pursue their interests

While Prince George’s future career is still a long way off, those close to the Prince and Princess of Wales say they should give their children the freedom to pursue their interests

However, his parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, were determined to give him as ‘normal’ an upbringing as possible – which apparently includes the freedom to pursue his own interests as he grows up.

Mr Sandbrook added: “Military service is the final tradition that takes royal youths out of their sheltered lives of impossible privilege.” But he admitted: “Times change, and with them institutions change… Who can him.” resent it if he would rather pursue another profession?”

General Sir Richard Barrons, former chief of Joint Forces Command, said: “I think the armed forces will find that a bit unfortunate, but that’s all they will think.”

But he added that military service is a useful way for a young king to serve “in the years between growing up and assuming the royal mantle.” And Royal biographer AN Wilson spoke out against the idea, saying: “This is a very big change from the way it’s always been done and I think he should be told: ‘Sorry you can’t decide.”

“It actually feels like a snub to the armed forces.” There could be another way Prince George does a stint in the army and then becomes an artist or a pastry chef or whatever interests him. In what may seem trivial, it also helps to have a uniform, otherwise we might as well have a president in a suit as our head of state.”

The late Queen was keen to ensure that her two grandsons would serve in the line of succession to the Afghan throne, although sending William later proved too risky.

In an ITV documentary in April, General Sir Mike Jackson, the former Chief of the Army, spoke about an audience with Her late Majesty, saying: “It was very clear.” She said: “My grandchildren took my shilling so they must.” do their duty.” And that was it. It was decided that the risk for William as heir was too great. But for his younger brother, the risk was acceptable.”

The second heir to the throne will be allowed to avoid regular service in the armed forces if he so chooses, The Mail on Sunday reckons, giving him the freedom to shape his own destiny

The second heir to the throne will be allowed to avoid regular service in the armed forces if he so chooses, The Mail on Sunday reckons, giving him the freedom to shape his own destiny

William trained at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst and served in the armed forces for over seven years. He was assigned to the Blues and Royals Regiment of Household Cavalry and trained as a pilot at RAF College before becoming a full-time pilot with the Search and Rescue team at RAF Valley in Anglesey, North Wales.

Harry also went to Sandhurst before joining the Blues and Royals. He conducted two missions in Afghanistan, including as an Apache helicopter pilot. In his memoir, Spare, he said he killed 25 Taliban militants. He also said his ministry taught him to “grow up pretty quickly,” adding, “The bubble I grew up in burst.”

Harry was the first member of the royal family to serve in a war zone since his uncle Prince Andrew, who flew helicopters during the 1982 Falklands conflict. Since then, the duke has been stripped of his honorary military posts.

King Charles served as Prince of Wales between 1971 and 1976 in both the Royal Navy and the RAF. He served on the guided missile destroyer HMS Norfolk, qualified as a helicopter pilot and took command of a coastal minehunter for ten months.

His father, Prince Philip, was 17 when he attended Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, Devon, and famously accompanied then-13-year-old Princess Elizabeth when she came to visit. He served on HMS Valiant and saw action off North Africa. He was credited in dispatches for “bravery and enterprise” by shining the battleship’s searchlights on enemy targets.

However, his distinguished military career ended when he gave it up to support his wife when she became queen.

During World War II, the late Queen served as Princess Elizabeth with the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), a branch of the army that women could join to do work that freed men for front-line duties. At 19, she became the first female member of the royal family to join active service and trained as a driver and mechanic.

The King’s younger brother, Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, did not serve in the military but spent time as an officer’s cadet in the Royal Marines after leaving university.

While Prince George’s future career is still a long way off, those close to the Prince and Princess of Wales say they should give their children the freedom to pursue their interests. In the spirit of keeping upbringing as normal as possible, the Princess of Wales will be baking a cake for George’s tenth birthday this weekend, while the prince has hosted school friends over for a party.

Last month George was seen looking around Eton with his parents, sparking speculation he could be following in his father’s footsteps and attending the elite school.

A source close to the palace said: “If any of the three children of Wales had a particular passion, their parents would be delighted if they pursued that passion.”

Prince George At 10: You Magazine