Prince George grew to be a ‘cracking lad’ ahead of 10th birthday: source

nypost.com:

err, a royal court — to raise an heir.Prince George, the oldest son of Prince William and Kate Middleton, will be turning double digits on July 22 and his future as the heir to the British throne is looking bright.Sources have dished to People ahead of his 10th birthday what the preteen is actually like behind the scenes of the public eye.“He’s a cracking lad,” a family friend gushed to the publication.“I think George knows the drill by now.

You can see he’s really grown into it and looks more relaxed than ever,” children’s clothing designer Amaia Arrieta chimed in.Arrieta — who has created fashions for George and his younger siblings, Prince Louis, 5, and Princess Charlotte, 8, — claimed that the tween is “really sporty.”She added: “It’s something that’s been encouraged from an early age.”Despite being born into one of the most powerful families in the world — and in history — William and Middleton, both 41, are trying to make sure he grows up in a regular environment.

However, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are well aware they are the parents of a forthcoming sovereign.“It’s a massive balancing act,” a royal source explained. “William and Kate are doing the right thing.”The insider went on: “[They are] protecting him so he can have as normal a childhood as possible, but he’s also dipping into duties as a future monarch.”“He’s getting firsthand experience of what it’s like to be a royal and a monarch and firsthand experience of being a normal boy,” they continued.