New Era Dawns! King Charles Bestows Major Honour on Prince George at 12th Birthday Celebration

Royal watchers are abuzz this week, with excitement mounting over the possibility that Prince George could soon follow in the footsteps of his father, Prince William, and receive one of the monarchy’s oldest and most prestigious honours—the Order of the Garter. This move would mark a significant break from centuries-old traditions, ushering in a new era for the young prince as he takes on more visible roles within the Royal Family.

The Order of the Garter, founded in 1348 by King Edward III, is the most senior order of knighthood in the United Kingdom and the oldest order of chivalry in existence. Each year, key members of the Royal Family travel to Windsor to attend the glorious Garter Day service at St George’s Chapel, complete with a colourful procession and carriage ride back to the castle. Membership is strictly limited, and the rules have long dictated who may join—a privilege typically reserved for the monarch, the Prince of Wales, and up to 24 select “Companions.”

For over a century, these traditional boundaries remained unbroken. That all changed in 2008 when Queen Elizabeth II appointed her grandson Prince William as the 1000th Knight of the Garter at age 25—the first time in 114 years that a grandchild had been inducted. Queen Victoria was the last monarch to do so, back in 1894, when she invested Alfred, Hereditary Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

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With that precedent now in place, royal speculation has turned to Prince George, currently just 11 years old, who has already begun stepping up to increasing public duties and royal appearances. Most recently, young George was seen confidently accompanying his parents and siblings—Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis—at the King’s official birthday celebration, the spectacular Trooping the Colour parade. George’s presence in the carriage procession and on the Buckingham Palace balcony alongside King Charles and the wider Royal Family delighted royal enthusiasts and underscored his emerging role in the monarchy’s next chapter.

But when could Prince George realistically be inducted into the Order? Using his father’s timeline as a guide, George could receive this major honour around age 25, in roughly 14 years’ time. The decision, however, lies solely with the reigning monarch, who can choose to admit new members in recognition of distinguished public service or as a reward for personal service to the Crown.

The Order itself is as storied as it is exclusive. Apart from the sovereign and the Prince of Wales, current membership includes 24 companions, who are selected for their exceptional contributions to British life. The Order also boasts “Supernumerary Knights and Ladies”—including senior royals and foreign monarchs—whose participation does not affect the main membership limit. Recent additions to the Order include Queen Camilla, appointed in 2022, and the Duchess of Gloucester, honoured in 2024. Notably, non-royal companions have included such luminaries as Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Tony Blair, Baroness Amos, and Baron King of Lothbury.

Every Garter Day, while the principal procession takes place within Windsor Castle’s historic grounds, royal spouses such as the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Edinburgh watch the service inside St George’s Chapel before joining the festivities in grand carriages.

Already, Prince George’s increasing engagement in public life—mirrored in his recent participation at national events—demonstrates the Royal Family’s commitment to a modern, forward-thinking monarchy while still respecting tradition. As he continues to mature and take on new duties, the prospect of him becoming a Knight of the Garter looms ever larger.

For now, royal fans will have to wait for King Charles’s future decision. But one thing is clear: with rules increasingly flexible and the monarchy focused on grooming its next generation, Prince George may one day make history once again—marking a truly new era for the royal legacy.