Prince George already knows he will be king — how he found out

It’s not easy being king — or a prince in training.

Prince William and Kate Middleton’s eldest son, Prince George, 9, is the next in line for the throne after his father.

But at such a young age, is he really aware of his royal duties?

In 2021, royal biographer Robert Lacey wrote in his book “Battle of Brothers” that King George allegedly learned about his future role in the summer of 2020, around his seventh birthday, per the Daily Mail.

And, according to a few palace insiders, the couple is currently “making George aware” of his future duties in “the best way they can” — making sure it’s not “too burdensome.”

“It’s a massive balancing act,” one palace insider recently divulged to People. “William and Kate are doing the right thing, protecting him so he can have as normal a childhood as possible, but he’s also dipping into duties as a future monarch.”

According to the outlet, the parents want to be able to give their kids as much of a normal childhood as possible, which includes “playing outdoors, experimenting in the kitchen and visiting the candy store.”

The source also alleged: “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.”

The Post reached out to representatives at Kensington Palace for comment.

Over the past few years, Prince George has been included in more and more public-facing royal events, including the coronation of his grandfather, King Charles, in May.

During the historic event, Prince George played a key role as a “Page of Honour,” who had the job of making sure the king didn’t trip over the long, heavy robe as he was walking down the aisle at Westminster Cathedral.

He also bore a small sword to protect the king.

A few days after the coronation, the 9-year-old joined his family as they visited a Brownie troop in Slough, England, for an initiative called “The Big Help Out,” a day full of volunteering.

While they were all there, they toasted s’mores, drove a big, yellow excavator and played archery.

Prince George and his sister, Princess Charlotte, 8, also walked behind the late Queen Elizabeth II’s casket at her funeral in September 2022.

The queen died on Sept. 8, 2022, at the age of 96. She had reigned for 70 years at the time of her death.

However, children’s fashion designer Amaia Arrieta, who owns Amaia Kids, also told People that she believes the young prince has always had a “more prominent role.”

“I think George has known almost from the beginning,” the designer told the outlet.

“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,” Arrieta continued. “I think they must have had that conversation very early on.”

Next week, on July 22, Prince George will celebrate his 10th birthday, which means that he is only inching toward even more royal responsibilities.

Last month, he was spotted visiting his father’s alma mater, the prestigious Eton College boarding school.

The Prince of Wales attended Eton in 1995 when he was just 13.

His younger brother, Prince Harry, also attended the distinguished boarding school from 1998 to 2003.