Prince George Turns 7!
PRESENTS! GAMES! CHOCOLATE CAKE! INSIDERS TELL STAR HOW PRINCE GEORGE CELEBRATED HIS BIG DAY.
The royal celebrates his birthday with a bash fit for a future king. Plus, what his aunt Meghan sent him.
It may not have been a huge blowout, but Prince George’s seventh birthday was as special as it could be under unprecedented circumstances. Indeed, the July 22 celebration will be remembered for its homespun sense of fun — thanks to the ingenuity of his parents, Prince William and Kate Middleton. “Usually, Kate and William throw George a big party and hire entertainers and invite lots of guests,” says a source. “But with the pandemic, they had to keep things small this year.” They still went all out in the fun department. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge whipped up a camping-themed barbecue for their nature-loving eldest child, complete with tents and games like giant Jenga, cornhole and hide-and-seek. The informal gathering took place at Amner Hall, the family’s sprawling country estate, with George’s younger siblings, Princess Charlotte, 5, and 2-yearold Prince Louis, as well as Kate’s parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, happily in attendance. “George loves the outdoors,” says the source, “so it was the perfect celebration for him.”
FIT FOR A PRINCE
The birthday boy was showered with thoughtful gifts from family members far and near. Mom and Dad presented him with his very own yurt — a circular tent popular in Central Asia — while Charlotte and Louis gave the future king a new bicycle. “William wants to keep the kids busy over the summer holidays, so he’s planning to build furniture for the yurt with George,” says the source. While she couldn’t attend in person, Queen Elizabeth sent her great-grandson a book about sea creatures. “She doesn’t believe in giving expensive gifts,” the source says. “It’s the thought that counts.” Meanwhile, his aunt Meghan Markle surprised him with yummy treats from across the pond from her, Prince Harry and 1-year-old Archie. “She knows George has a sweet tooth,” says the source. “So she sent him a huge jar of American candy along with a birthday card covered in hearts. She even personalized the jar by painting his name on it. It was super cute.”
“Kate and William don’t like to spoil their kids — but they make an exception for birthdays.”
— a source tells Star
The homemade vibe continued with a delicious chocolate cake made by Kate with help from Charlotte and Louis! “They decorated it with sprinkles, lollipops and colorful candy,” says the source. And when it came time to sing “Happy Birthday,” the source says, George’s sister and brother “competed over who could sing the loudest. It made everyone laugh!”
CALLING IN
Those who weren’t able to attend in person made sure to reach out. The 94-year-old queen — who’s been holed up at Windsor Castle with husband Prince Philip, 99 (they made an exception for Princess Beatrice’s socially distant July 17 wedding) — called in via Zoom at 7 a.m. “George excitedly told her all about what he’d planned for his birthday,” says the source. His grandfather, Prince Charles, also dialed in with his wife, Camilla. “Charles adores his grandchildren,” the source says, adding, “In an ideal world he’d see them more often.” Kate’s sister Pippa, meanwhile, is planning on visiting Anmer Hall as soon as she can with her 21-month-old son, Arthur. “They want all the cousins to enjoy a playdate,” says the source.
NEXT UP
The festivities capped off a hectic few months. Kate and William, both 38, have been struggling to balance their royal duties with homeschooling George and Charlotte. “It’s really difficult,” Kate admitted of distancelearning in May. The source says that since lockdown began, George (who’s third in line to the throne) has matured a great deal. “He’s come out of his shell and is a confident little boy,” says the source. “He’s kind and looks out for his brother and sister.” He’s also developed a bit of a competitive streak, especially with his siblings. “Kate and William joke that George likes to be the best at everything. He’s already showing signs that he’s an overachiever — which is certainly a personality trait that will come in handy when he becomes king!” For now, the family of five is focusing on the next few months. They’re planning on sending the older kids back to school in September, as long as Covid-19 cases don’t rise in the U.K., and they’re looking into boarding schools for George (see box). Before getting back to business, however, they’re planning a family holiday to Mustique. “It’s one of their favorite places,” says the source of the private Caribbean island. “They don’t have to worry about prying eyes, and they can really just unwind.” They’ll stay in a stunning $15 million mansion that boasts an infinity pool, a home gym and a private chef. “It’s been a really chaotic time for Kate and William,” the source says. "They could really use a break!"