Prince George Turns 13, Heads to Eton College Under New Smartphone Prohibition

Prince George celebrated his 13th birthday with a formal portrait released by Kensington Palace and a casual video of him playing cricket and climbing rocks with his siblings. Commentators noted the royal family's shift toward using first names instead of titles as a modern, protective approach.

In September, the heir‑apparent will enroll at the elite Eton College. The school enforces a strict ban on smartphones for first‑year students, providing only basic “brick‑phones” that lack internet access. This aligns with Prince William and Kate’s longstanding rule that none of their children own a smartphone, a policy they say shields them from social‑media risks. Prince George previously attended the Lambrook School and is accustomed to boarding‑school life.