Prince George ‘persuaded’ King Charles to abandon royal tradition to avoid being mocked by pals

Prince George was one of eight Pages of Honour at the Royal Coronation last year but was unimpressed by one part of the traditional uniform which he feared he would be mocked for

Prince George in his coronation attire – minus the breeches (
Image: Getty Images)

Concerns about what his school friends would say made Prince George persuade his grandfather to abandon a centuries-old tradition.

The 11-year-old future heir and seven other boys were named Pages of Honour at the coronation of the King and Queen last year. The outfits traditionally come with white breeches, a smart red tunic and gold trimmings, black buckled shoes, and a lace cravat and ruffles.

However, George was concerned about what his mates would say about the knee breeches, and so reportedly asked the King if that part of the outfit could be ignored. As a result, he and the other boys were allowed to wear trousers for the coronation.

The young royals had large roles in the day ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
A source told MailOnline George “wasn’t keen on wearing tights and becoming a subject of ribaldry at school”. The Page of Honour were primarily responsible for carrying their long, heavy robes. The honour is usually granted to teenage sons of members of the nobility and gentry, and especially of senior Royal Household members.

George walked behind his grandad, helping to carry his robes as he entered and left Westminster Abbey. The King and George’s father, Prince William, were keen for the young prince to have an important role on May 6 and decided he would be front and centre.

The boys were family friends and relatives of Charles and Camilla. Despite the role traditionally going to boys aged 12 to 15, young George was given the task after showing a “deep interest” in the ceremony.

A well-placed insider speaking before the Coronation added: “The King is very keen to show those in the line of ­succession, his natural heirs, at the centre of his Coronation. Even though he is only nine, George is very mature and already has a deep understanding of the roles of his grandfather and father, as well as his future role. “This task is a wonderful sign of the future being laid out by the King.”

The King’s other Pages of Honour were Lord Oliver Cholmondeley, 13, Nicholas Barclay, 13, and Ralph Tollemache, 12. The Queen Consort’s Pages of Honour will be her grandsons, twins Gus and Louis Lopes, and Freddy Parker Bowles, along with great-nephew, Arthur Elliot.