Prince George gets exciting news from uncle Prince Harry as he turns 13

Prince George has celebrated his 13th birthday with a fresh dose of good news from his uncle Prince Harry. The Duke of Sussex, 41, opened up about the sports he played at Eton College during a recent appearance on James Corden’s Fox Sports show alongside Rio Ferdinand, and the revelation has thrilled the young future King.

James asked Harry whether he was a soccer fan, prompting the comedian-turned-royal to correct him with a smile. “Did I play football? Why are you calling it soccer?” Harry replied. “It was such a posh school that everything was an option.” The school’s own website confirms that boys at Eton could choose from a full range of sports, including hockey, football, rowing, cricket, fencing, swimming, squash, martial arts and water polo. The young prince will have plenty to look forward to when he starts at Eton this September, the same elite institution where his father, Prince William, once made some of his best friends.

Prince George is already a keen football fan and has been seen regularly accompanying his father Prince William to watch Aston Villa play. Harry’s confirmation that football was one of the many sports available at Eton will be especially welcome news. The Duke’s comments have been widely shared online, with fans delighted that the next generation of royals can enjoy the beautiful game just as his uncle once did.

The birthday portrait released to mark the occasion showed a sharply dressed George in a suit after Trooping the Colour, taken by royal photographer Matt Porteous at Kensington Palace. It was shared on social media with the message “Happy 13th birthday, George!” and a party popper emoji. The image captured the rapidly growing future King standing on the stairs, looking poised and confident. The photo was accompanied by footage of George playing on the beach in Cornwall over Easter, giving fans a lovely glimpse of his lighter side during the summer break.

Prince George is now second in line to the throne and will begin his senior-school life at Eton College in September. The prestigious school, which charges around £65,000 a year, has educated 20 former Prime Ministers and has produced a long list of distinguished alumni. William and Catherine have guided their eldest son carefully into public life, and this new chapter at Eton marks the start of his independent senior-school experience. It will be the first time since 2019 that George has attended school without at least one of his siblings, Princess Charlotte or Prince Louis.

Prince Harry has been making several media appearances in recent weeks, including the James Corden show and Joe Marler’s podcast. During the interview, he spoke candidly about England’s World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina. “It’s mindset,” Harry said. “I think what we saw was a slight shock value for them… ‘[Expletive], we are 1-0 up against Argentina’ and there was this immediate temptation to fall into defence.” He added that it “just happened” and was not a deliberate tactic. The Duke also shared his personal ranking of Britain’s “best Harry”, placing singer Harry Styles in first, footballer Harry Kane in second, and himself alongside Harry Potter in a joint third place. He joked that the four would have a “quidditch-off” to decide the winner.

The combination of Harry’s sports revelation and the new birthday portrait has created a lovely summer moment for Prince George. At 13, the young prince is already showing the calm, confident presence that will serve him well as he steps into his new life at Eton. Whether he is playing football on the beach in Cornwall or waving to crowds at Trooping the Colour, George continues to build the strong foundation he will need for his time at one of Britain’s most famous schools.

The Duke of Sussex’s openness about Eton has clearly delighted the future King, and the timing could not be better. With school starting in September, Harry’s comments serve as a warm reminder that the grounds and facilities at Eton are filled with sporting tradition. Football, in particular, has a long history there, and the fact that his uncle played it there will surely make the prospect even more appealing to the young royal.

As he prepares to leave the safety of Kensington Palace and step into the world of senior school, Prince George is surrounded by love and support. His parents, William and Catherine, have always ensured he experiences life at a normal pace, and the recent birthday celebrations — complete with beach footage and a sharp new portrait — show how quickly the boy who once wore sunhats at Wimbledon has grown into a poised teenager.

The world will soon see more of George as he settles into Eton life, just as his father did before him. The sports that Harry once enjoyed there, from football to rowing and cricket, will form part of his daily routine. And with the Duke of Sussex now sharing his own fond memories, the young prince has received a special, personal gift from the uncle who has made limited visits to the UK in recent years.

Prince George turns 13 today with a heart full of excitement for the future. The good news from his uncle Prince Harry has added to the celebrations, and the future King of England is clearly ready to embrace his next chapter at Eton College. Whether he is playing football, rowing on the river or simply taking in the historic surroundings, the young prince is set to thrive — just as his uncle once did.