Prince George may one day become King, but at school he was reportedly known by a much simpler name: “PG”.
The affectionate nickname was said to have been used by his former classmates as a playful reference to his initials, and it apparently became popular enough that his parents, Prince William and Princess Catherine, began using it at home too.
George, who is second in line to the British throne after his father, has since moved on to Eton College. It remains unclear whether his new classmates have adopted the nickname.
Prince George is second in line to the throne (Image: Getty)
Prince George started at Eton this September (Image: Getty)
From Prince George to “PG Tips”
According to reports, George’s former schoolmates shortened his name to “PG” — a nod to the initials of Prince George.
William and Catherine were also said to have embraced the nickname, with the couple reportedly using both “PG” and “PG Tips”, a playful reference to the well-known British tea brand.
The nickname is particularly fitting given that George is not the only member of the Wales family to have an affectionate name used by those closest to him.
Princess Charlotte has more than one nickname
The young prince’s siblings also have nicknames (Image: Getty)
Prince William has reportedly been heard using a particularly sweet nickname for his daughter, Princess Charlotte.
During the 2019 Chelsea Flower Show, William was reportedly overheard calling Charlotte “Mignonette”, a French word meaning “cute”.
Charlotte is also known as “Lottie” within the family.
A woman who met William and Catherine previously recalled a conversation about the young princess and explained that Catherine referred to her as Lottie.
She told the Daily Mail: “I said he is four and she said ‘oh, he’s the same age as Lottie’ — she calls her Lottie!”
Prince Louis has an equally adorable nickname
The youngest of the Wales children has also been given a playful nickname by his mother.
During a royal engagement involving the Scouts, Princess Catherine was helping Prince Louis toast marshmallows when she affectionately called him “Lou-bugs”.
Louis appeared more than happy to concentrate on his treat, while his mother and a scout leader helped him prepare it.
William joked about the youngster’s enthusiasm, saying: “You won’t hear a peep out of him now.”
George begins his next chapter at Eton
While his family may still use his childhood nickname, George is entering an increasingly significant stage of his education.
The young royal recently began attending Eton College, marking a major change for the future king.
His arrival at the prestigious school was photographed as he attended with William and Catherine. Eton headmaster Simon Henderson and Sir Nicholas Coleridge, the school’s Provost and chair of its governing body, welcomed the family in the quadrangle.
“Welcome,” Henderson told George. “Good luck. Enjoy it.”
The brief appearance in front of the cameras was expected to be one of the few public glimpses of George’s transition to his new school.
William and Catherine are understood to want their son’s education to remain largely private, away from the intense public attention that comes with his position.
Preparing George for life as future king
George’s move to Eton also comes as his parents gradually introduce him to the responsibilities that will eventually accompany his position.
Royal commentator Jennie Bond previously described the transition as a “daunting” reality for the young prince, given the extraordinary future that awaits him.
For now, however, George remains a schoolboy adjusting to a new environment — and perhaps leaving behind the “PG” nickname that followed him at his previous school.
Whether his new classmates at Eton will give him another nickname remains to be seen. For the moment, “PG” remains one of the more endearing glimpses into the private family life of the future king.