King Charles Could Revive Special Ritual as Prince George Begins Future King Journey
King Charles could recreate a cherished royal family ritual with Prince George following the young royal’s move to Eton, potentially giving the monarch an important opportunity to personally guide his grandson as he prepares for his extraordinary future.
Despite the demands of being King, Charles is also a grandfather to five grandchildren and has occasionally displayed his affection for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis during public royal appearances.
The monarch has frequently been photographed smiling warmly around the Wales children and making affectionate gestures towards them, offering occasional glimpses of the family relationship that normally remains largely private.
There have been no comparable public moments involving Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, although that does not establish the nature of Charles’ private relationship with Harry and Meghan’s children, particularly following their recent return to Britain.
However, George occupies a unique constitutional position among Charles’ grandchildren. The 13-year-old is second in line to the throne and will face responsibilities unlike those of his siblings and cousins if he eventually becomes King.
George began his education at Eton last week, creating a major change in his life and reportedly opening the possibility of Charles reviving a tradition once enjoyed by Prince William and the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Former royal butler Grant Harrold believes Charles could establish an afternoon tea routine with George similar to the meetings William reportedly enjoyed with his grandparents during his own boarding-school years.
“I imagine the King will possibly try to recreate the afternoon tea routine that his mother and son shared with his grandson,” Harrold said while discussing how Charles could support George during his time at Eton.
The location could make regular meetings particularly convenient whenever Charles is nearby. “Whenever he is in Windsor, I imagine he will make an effort to see George,” the former royal butler explained.
Those meetings could involve considerably more than simply checking on school life. Harrold believes Charles may use the private time to gradually help his grandson understand the unusual responsibilities that could eventually accompany his position.
“He will want to know how he’s getting on at school, and also to start preparing him for the future,” Harrold said, suggesting Charles could become an important source of guidance as George grows older.
William has previously spoken about having tea with his grandparents while attending boarding school, meaning a similar arrangement between Charles and George could continue a deeply personal family tradition across another generation.
Harrold believes Charles is particularly well positioned to understand George’s circumstances because the King himself experienced growing up under the knowledge that he would eventually inherit the throne.
“He understands better than anyone the challenges George will face as the future King going through the difficult teenage years,” Harrold explained, adding that Charles would want to support his grandson “in any way he can.”
There has been no official confirmation that Charles and George will establish regular afternoon teas. But if Harrold’s prediction proves correct, the tradition could provide George with something especially valuable during his Eton years: private time with a grandfather who personally understands the unusual journey awaiting a future King.
