Prince George Turns 12 with a Royal First — Takes Solo Helicopter Flight to Honor Family Tradition!
In a moment both symbolic and historic, Prince George celebrated his 12th birthday with a bold royal first — his very first solo helicopter flight across the English countryside, following in the footsteps of his father, Prince William, and grandfather, King Charles III.
Kensington Palace released a series of stunning photos on Friday morning, showing the young prince boarding a royal military helicopter from a private airstrip in Norfolk. Dressed in a navy-blue flight jacket with his initials “PGW” stitched above the left pocket, Prince George looked confident, focused, and very much like a future king in the making.
“This was not just a birthday adventure,” one royal aide explained. “It was a deeply personal and symbolic act to honor the aviation legacy of his family.”
A Family of Flyers
Both Prince William and King Charles are trained pilots. Prince William famously served as a search-and-rescue helicopter pilot in the Royal Air Force, while King Charles trained as a pilot during his early military years.
“George has grown up hearing stories of his father in flight,” said royal biographer Helena Worthing. “This was his turn to take that legacy one step further.”
The short, supervised flight — with a co-pilot accompanying the prince for safety — took George from Sandringham to Highgrove, touching down on royal grounds that have deep meaning to the family. Upon landing, he was greeted by King Charles and Queen Camilla, who hosted a private afternoon tea in celebration of his birthday.
“I Wanted to Fly Like Papa”
In a brief recorded message shared on the royal family’s official channels, Prince George beamed with excitement as he spoke about the experience.
“I’ve always wanted to fly like Papa,” he said, referring to Prince William. “He told me stories when I was little, and I practiced on the simulator. Today, I got to do it for real.”
The moment marks Prince George’s first step into public royal traditions that signal his growing maturity and increasing visibility in the family’s long-term plans. Though still a child, George has recently started attending more formal events and is receiving education that blends regular academics with royal duties.
A Birthday to Remember
Later that evening, the family held a private dinner at Anmer Hall with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis helping decorate the table. Princess Catherine, still on limited public duty while recovering from her recent health journey, reportedly helped organize the celebration and baked George’s birthday cake herself — chocolate biscuit cake, a royal family favorite.
“This was a day full of joy, pride, and quiet symbolism,” one insider noted. “Prince George is not just growing up — he’s growing into the role he was born for.”
As Prince George enters his teenage years, one thing is certain:
The future of the monarchy is in steady hands — and those hands just piloted a helicopter.
