On July 22, 2024, Prince George celebrated his 11th birthday—a milestone that has sparked renewed curiosity about his eventual role as monarch. As the future king, George is already in the public eye, and his birthday has prompted a timely question: What happens if he is called to the throne before he turns 18?
While the thought may seem distant, it’s a relevant consideration, especially given recent developments within the Royal Family.
A Kingdom in Transition
With King Charles III currently undergoing treatment for cancer, the monarchy’s stability has become a growing topic of discussion. Though the line of succession is clear, Prince George’s youth raises important questions. Could he legally take the throne before coming of age? What mechanisms are in place to support a monarch who is not yet an adult?
The Little-Known Law That Would Guide the Monarchy
The British constitution provides for such an eventuality. If the heir to the throne is under 18 at the time of accession, a Regency is automatically established. This is governed by the Regency Acts, which state that a regent—typically the next eligible adult in line—would carry out royal duties until the monarch reaches maturity.
In Prince George’s case, this role would likely fall to his father, Prince William, the Prince of Wales. As regent, William would undertake all official responsibilities of the Crown while George remains the sovereign in title only, until his 18th birthday.
A Birthday Marked by Warmth and Reflection
Prince George’s birthday was celebrated publicly by the Prince and Princess of Wales, who shared a heartfelt Instagram post. The black-and-white portrait showed a smiling George, with the caption: “Wishing Prince George a very happy 11th birthday today!”
Fans were quick to respond, flooding the comments with love and nostalgia. “He’s growing up so fast! I can’t believe it!” one commenter wrote. Another added, “Can anyone stop time, please? He is such a handsome boy. ❤️ Time flies so fast!”
The post resonated deeply, especially amid a year marked by emotional challenges. In March 2024, Princess Catherine revealed her own cancer diagnosis in a moving video message shared online. The royal family’s candor about their health struggles has fostered a wave of public support—and Prince George’s birthday brought a moment of light and celebration to a difficult time.
Looking Ahead
Though Prince George is still years away from the throne, the constitutional safeguards surrounding a minor monarch offer reassurance that the Crown would remain stable if circumstances were to shift unexpectedly. Until then, George continues to grow up under careful guidance, preparing for the extraordinary role that awaits him.
Prince George and Princess Catherine at the Guinness Six Nations Rugby match between England and Wales on February 26, 2022, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
The past few months have been incredibly challenging for our entire family. Fortunately, I’ve had an outstanding medical team who have taken wonderful care of me,” the Princess of Wales shared.
In July, she provided an update on her ongoing chemotherapy treatment, saying, “I am making good progress. But, as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days.”
Earlier, in February 2024, the Royal Family’s official Instagram account announced that King Charles III, Prince George’s grandfather, had also been diagnosed with cancer.
According to the post, His Majesty had been undergoing a hospital procedure to treat a benign prostate enlargement when doctors discovered a separate issue. Further diagnostic tests confirmed it to be a form of cancer.
Prince George, Princess Catherine, and King Charles III at the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2023, in England. | Source: Getty Images
A recent caption revealed that King Charles III is undergoing regular treatment for cancer. “His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope that it may support public understanding for all those around the world affected by cancer,” the caption concluded.
What Happens If Prince George Becomes King Before Age 18?
If Prince George were to ascend to the throne before turning 18, it would raise significant questions about the governance of the monarchy. To address such scenarios, the Regency Act of 1937 was enacted, establishing a legal framework for instances where the monarch is too young or unable to fulfill royal duties.
This legislation was introduced following challenges during King George V’s illness, which highlighted the need for a structured plan to ensure continuity of leadership. Under the Act, a Regent would be appointed to act on behalf of a minor monarch until they reach adulthood.
The Regent would perform all essential duties of the Sovereign, including signing legislation, attending official events, and carrying out ceremonial and constitutional responsibilities. This ensures the smooth functioning of the monarchy during a transitional period.
Typically, the Regent is the next adult in the line of succession who is both eligible and qualified. To be appointed, the individual must be British, of legal age, and meet specific requirements. If the next in line is a minor or otherwise disqualified, the role of Regent passes to the next suitable person.
For Prince George to become King, his father, Prince William, would need to be deceased or deemed unfit, as he is the current heir apparent to King Charles III. If this were to occur before George turns 18, the most likely candidate to serve as Regent would be Prince Harry, Prince William’s younger brother.
Princess Catherine holding her daughter Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Prince William, and Prince Harry on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Trooping the Colour on June 11, 2016, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Regency and Prince Harry’s Eligibility
Prince George’s younger siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis of Wales, follow him in the line of succession to the British throne. However, should Prince George become king while still a minor, neither sibling would qualify to serve as Regent, as they too would still be underage.
In such a scenario, Prince Harry would be next in line to be considered for the role of Regent. As the next adult in the line of succession after George and his siblings, and being over the age of 18, he meets the basic legal requirements under the Regency Acts. His years of royal service and experience would also position him as a strong candidate to support a young monarch during the early years of his reign.
That said, Prince Harry’s eligibility would also depend on legal residence requirements and other provisions outlined in the Regency Act, especially since, at the time of writing, he resided outside the United Kingdom.
Preparing Prince George for Kingship
In 2023, a palace insider revealed that Prince William and Princess Catherine had already begun preparing Prince George for his future role — with great care and intention. While their primary focus remained on giving their son a normal, grounded childhood, they also took steps to gradually introduce him to the responsibilities that lie ahead.
Prince George, affectionately nicknamed “little grape” during his mother’s pregnancy, had his first formal discussion about his royal future in 2020. According to royal biographer Robert Lacey, the timing of this conversation was deliberate, reflecting Prince William’s own desire to spare his son the confusion and pressure he had experienced growing up.
Children’s wear designer Amaia Arrieta, whose designs have often been worn by George and his siblings, offered further insight. “I think George has known almost from the beginning,” she said. “He has always had a more prominent role. There have been many events with his late great-grandmother or great-grandfather when it was just him, and his siblings weren’t there.”
Prince William echoed this sentiment in a 2016 interview with the BBC, when George was just three years old. At the time, the Prince of Wales emphasized the importance of waiting for the right moment to inform his son of his future role. For William and Catherine, it was vital to ensure that Prince George’s upbringing was filled with stability, love, and as much normalcy as possible.
A palace source added, “I am sure [William and Catherine] are making George aware in the best way they can — and not making it too burdensome.”
The royal couple has put considerable thought into helping George transition into his future duties in a way that feels natural rather than daunting. As royal biographer Robert Hardman noted, “There’s a belief to make it as unobtrusive and as normal — if you can call it normal — and as pleasant as possible.”
Prince George is already beginning to step into public royal life. During the coronation of King Charles III in May 2023, he served as one of the Pages of Honour — a significant role for someone so young. During the ceremony at Westminster Abbey, George helped carry his grandfather’s robe and later appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony, standing proudly alongside senior members of the Royal Family.
Prince William and Princess Catherine were acutely aware of the weight this role carried. As the youngest future king to take part in a coronation, George’s participation marked an important milestone. Still, those close to the family felt he rose to the occasion with poise. “He was terrific,” a family friend remarked.
Prince George and King Charles III on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Following the coronation, the palace released an official portrait featuring King Charles III alongside his heirs, Prince William and Prince George. The striking image symbolized the monarchy’s future—a visual testament to its continuity.
Despite these public displays, Prince William and Princess Catherine have remained committed to giving their children as normal an upbringing as possible. Their family life is filled with outdoor adventures, kitchen experiments, and trips to the local candy store.
“It’s a massive balancing act,” a palace insider shared, adding that the Prince and Princess of Wales are “doing the right thing” by protecting Prince George’s childhood.
“He’s getting firsthand experience of what it means to be a royal and a monarch,” the insider continued, “while also getting to just be a normal boy.” Much of this parenting philosophy stems from Princess Catherine’s own grounded upbringing, far removed from aristocratic tradition.
A source close to the royal household noted that Catherine deeply values family time. “She wasn’t raised in that aristocratic environment where children are only seen for a short time each day,” the source explained.
As Prince William and Princess Catherine prepare their son for his future role, insiders say Prince George has already shown promising traits. Described as “confident” and “outgoing,” he appears well-suited to one day be King of England.
By the age of eight, George had already “blossomed,” with a wide range of interests including gardening, science, nature, photography, cooking, and languages. He’s also passionate about sports and, unlike many children his age, reportedly takes his education very seriously. “He loves school and is a straight-A student,” one source revealed.
Now 11, Prince George not only resembles his parents but also carries their most endearing traits. He is said to be “sensitive” like his mother, yet “protective and a confident decision-maker” like his father.
The insider joked that George is “definitely more outgoing and cheeky” than William or Kate were at his age.
“Kate and William are incredibly proud of George,” the source said. “They know they’re lucky to have such a kind, curious, and loving son. While they try not to burden him with too many details about his future, they have no doubt he’ll make a great king someday.”
Prince George and Prince William at the UEFA EURO 2024 final soccer match between Spain and England on July 14, 2024, in Berlin, Germany. | Source: Getty Images
As Prince George became a year older, his parents guaranteed he enjoyed the richness of a normal childhood. They are also preparing him for future responsibilities, ensuring he will make a great king one day.