Kate Middleton and William's 'tactical move' with Prince George amid huge royal step

The played a huge part in marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day - and one member of the Firm who made a huge step up was . As part of the events to mark the historic moment, engagement to date.

After joining and for the military parade and RAF flypast with their parents, the Prince and , he then joined his mum and dad at a special tea party. The 11-year-old was guided by William and Kate as they, along with the King and Queen and other members of the , met Second World War veterans in .

He intently listened to their important stories and asked questions about their experiences. He was led around the engagement by mum Kate, who beckoned him over to talk to the former servicemen and women, putting her eldest son at ease.

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Former royal correspondent Jennie Bond told the how it showed how second-in-line to the throne George is being prepared for royal life by his parents. She explained: "I love seeing him at football matches when he can let his hair down.

"But at big events like this, he looks as if he is taking it all in, and understanding that his life will be punctuated by national occasions where his will be a key role. And I’m sure his parents have schooled him in how to behave and what it all means.

"I think they had prepared him to sit down with some of the veterans, and he looked genuinely interested and concerned to hear their stories of the war.

"The VE Day commemorations may be the only opportunity George will ever have of speaking to men and women who served their King and country during the war.

"One day he will be Chief of the himself, and he may well look back at some of those conversations and be glad that he had the chance to meet some of the few remaining veterans.

"It was noticeable that William sometimes put George first and foremost, letting him sit with veterans while he hovered behind. That was a clever and reassuring way for William to mentor his son."

For the most part, George, along with his siblings, has been growing up out of the public spotlight with his parents keen for him to have a normal life of an almost 12-year-old. He, his brother and sister only appear at the most special royal events, while Kate shares photos of them on days such as their birthdays.

Jennie added: "I think William and Catherine are still determined to shield their children from public life as much as possible and for as long as possible. But they also know that the public loves seeing the children grow up and that those images resonate with the next generation.

"William has said in the past that one of the most important functions of monarchy is to stay relevant. And by including the children in occasions like this, as well as issuing lovely informal photographs and videos of them at regular intervals, the family remains visible and in touch, whilst maintaining some elements of privacy when they are off duty."