Prince George, 8, may turn down his chance to be king after the death of his father - instead preferring to have more fun and mix with celebrities, a republican claims.
That's the shocking claim by a leading anti-royalist, who says the current third in line to the throne may walk away from royal life, after watching his uncle Prince Harry.
Young Prince George is the firstborn son of Prince William, who is in turn the firstborn son of Prince Charles - and therefore George will one day be King of England.
But Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, a group calling for the end of the British monarchy, believes he is more likely to follow in the footsteps of Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle and walk away from royal life altogether.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex moved to the USA in 2020 where they are raising their two children, Prince George's cousins, Archie, 2 and seven-month-old Lilibet.
Speaking to the Daily Express Mr Smith said Harry and Meghan “being able to do whatever they want, and mixing with movie stars” offers a glimpse of a freedom “that the Royal Family don’t necessarily have”.
He added: “I think that George will certainly look at that and go, well, that looks like more fun, and maybe I'll do that instead.”
Mr Smith also argued that the way the line of succession operates must loom heavy on the young prince’s shoulders, knowing his time will only come after his family members die.
George's granddad Charles has been the heir apparent since he was aged three and is the longest-serving Prince of Wales in history due to his mother, the Queen's remarkably long reign.
Mr Smith added: "I just don't know why, when George turns 18, why he would look to the future and go, ‘being like my dad and granddad for the next 40 years sounds like a great idea,’ when he's got his uncle and cousins showing there’s an easier way of life."
Prince George of Cambridge is the first child of Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
He was born on July 22, 2013, and joined his parents on his first royal tour in 2014 to Australia and New Zealand.
He was joined by sister Charlotte, six, during their parent's tour to Canada in 2016.
The siblings also have a younger brother, Prince Louis, three.
