S Poddar
Despite the sting of watching England’s defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final, Prince George has reasons to feel cheerful as he turns 11 today. Recently, he had an exciting encounter with pop sensation Taylor Swift and both his mother, Kate, and grandfather, King Charles, are making strides in their respective battles with cancer.
This memorable meeting with Taylor Swift took place backstage at Wembley Stadium during the London leg of her Eras tour, coinciding with his father, Prince William’s 42nd birthday.
As the second in line to the throne, George has witnessed some of the most challenging periods in recent royal history. He faced the loss of his great-grandparents, Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth, in April 2021 and September 2022, respectively, and has also seen the strain in his father’s relationship with Prince Harry.
This year has been particularly tough, with his grandfather’s cancer diagnosis in February, followed by his mother’s announcement of her own diagnosis a month later. Kate, 42, shared the news through an emotional video message, revealing her ongoing ‘preventative’ chemotherapy and the family’s efforts to manage this privately.
In a positive turn, George and his family made a public appearance at Trooping the Colour in June, marking the King’s official birthday. George rode in a carriage with Kate, his sister Charlotte, and his younger brother Louis, and later stood on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
Throughout these trials, George has remained a bright presence at public events, showcasing the demeanor expected of a future monarch. Born at 4:24 PM on July 22, 2013, at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, George continues to embody resilience and grace amid the challenges faced by his family.
