Prince George was born on July 22, 2013, at St Mary’s Hospital in London. Of course, there is always a lot of interest when a royal baby is born. When the young prince was welcomed into the world, it marked the next generation of the heir to the throne.

When George was born, he did not have a name yet. Queen Elizabeth, who said she was “thrilled” to welcome her first great-grandson, visited them just two days later at Kensington Palace to see him for the first time.

It is likely that possible names for him would have been discussed during the intimate meeting, and at the time, Alexander and James had been tipped as popular choices, as well as George.

Prince William and Princess Kate struggled to choose a name for their firstborn son. However, they came up with a solution in the picking process. According to The Times, the Prince and Princess of Wales brought in their dog, Lupo, who helped them choose from the list of possible contenders.

Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage

After putting all the possible names on scraps of paper and spreading them on their floor, they let Lupo in and watched which piece of writing he went up to. The English cocker spaniel picked George, and the case was closed.

“We’ve still got to decide on a name,” William told reporters as the family left the hospital. “We’ll let you know as soon as we can.”

The Queen visited the couple for about 90 minutes before leaving – but over the years, she was to spend plenty of time with George and watch him grow up.

Queen Elizabeth and George formed a lovely bond and even reportedly shared some similar personality traits.

The Queen was said to have been rather shy, with her late husband, Prince Philip, even describing her as shy back when they met over 80 years ago. According to The Sun, that also goes for George, which undoubtedly was relatable for the Queen.

Even though they shared this personality trait, the Queen was likely able to help him overcome his shyness (she would have had experience in dealing with it in her role as monarch). In the long run, this will definitely help him as he eventually takes on the position of King in the future.

Her Majesty knew how it was to be shy. Moreover, she had many valuable lessons to teach the young prince, especially about life in the spotlight.

Like Prince George, Elizabeth was once third in the line of succession. This means that George already has great expectations of him as he grows up – the exact same ones Queen Elizabeth had on her shoulders when she was young.

Given that William and Kate met the Queen several times a week, George was able to spend significant quality time with her. In Kate Middleton’s first solo interview, she spoke about how the Queen and George got along and revealed his sweet nickname for his great-grandmother.

“George is only two-and-a-half, and he calls her ‘Gan-Gan.’ She always leaves a little gift or something in their room when we go and stay, and that just shows her love for her family,” Kate said, adding how the Queen was a great support to her.

“She’s been very generous in not being forceful at all and in any of her views, but I feel she’s been there, a gentle guidance really for me,” Kate added.

When Prince George visited their then-home at Kensington Palace, he often received gifts. Moreover, when he stayed over at “grandma’s house,” Buckingham Palace, he also was given small gifts on his bed.

Prince George and Queen Elizabeth’s adorable Jubilee talk
In 2022, the Queen celebrated her Platinum Jubilee celebration, marking 70 years on the throne. At the end of the jubilee weekend, she appeared alongside her close family on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

At that point, three future kings, Charles, William, and the young George, were there, as well as Camilla Parker Bowles, Kate Middleton, and George’s younger siblings Charlotte and Louis.

Her Majesty surprised crowds in the national mall by appearing and waving to all the royal fans as they sang God Save the Queen. However, one of the most intimate moments was when Queen Elizabeth seemed somewhat surprised. She turned to George after airplanes had striped the sky red, white, and blue with smoke and told him something that also had her smiling.

So what did she say to her beloved great-grandson? According to professional lip reader John Cassidy, she told her grandson, surprised, “Ah, brilliant! I didn’t know.”

It was one of the last cute moments the world saw of the two of them together, but one that will always be cherished. And most importantly, hopefully, George will remember it for all his life.

Prince George and his siblings were at school when Queen Elizabeth died last year. Together with Princess Charlotte, the future king attended the funeral, and it was, of course, a very tough day for the young prince.

But luckily, with today’s technology and cameras, there will be plenty of photographs for George to look at to remember his dear great-grandmother. One of them, together with all his cousins, siblings, and other family members, stands out.

Through Prince William and Kate’s official Instagram account, the couple shared a statement on the anniversary.

“Today we remember the extraordinary life and legacy of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth. We all miss you. W&C.”

One of the pictures included the Queen with her beloved corgi dogs, and another saw the late monarch surrounded by her great-grandchildren at Balmoral last year, an image taken by Kate herself. But there is another photo that is very sentimental to many of the royal family members.

In the beautiful photo, also taken by Kate at Balmoral last summer, Queen Elizabeth sits with many of her great-grandchildren and grandchildren.

In the photograph, Queen Elizabeth is wearing one of her signature tartan skirts, sitting in the center of the sofa in her living room at her beloved Scottish estate. Together on the couch with her is nine-year-old Mia Tindall, the eldest child of Zara and Mike Tindall, and in her lap is her two-year-old brother, Lucas.

Meanwhile, on the Queen’s other side sits Peter and Autumn Phillip’s eldest daughter, 12-year-old Savannah Phillips. She is the eldest great-grandchild of the Queen.