When Prince George Learned He Will Be King — and How His Parents Are Ensuring Role Is Not 'Too Burdensome'

A palace insider tells PEOPLE that the Prince and Princess of Wales are "making George aware in the best way they can"

Although Kate Middleton and Prince William are focused on giving Prince George a normal childhood whenever possible, he's aware that someday he will be the king.

Prince George, who will celebrate his 10th birthday on July 22, had a formal talk about his royal destiny in 2020, biographer Robert Lacey previously reported. It was a "controlled moment of their choice," Lacey wrote, "reflecting William’s unhappiness at the haphazard fashion in which the whole business of his royal destiny had buzzed around his head from the start."

But children's wear designer Amaia Arrieta, whose clothes George and his siblings — Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5 — have worn for years tells PEOPLE exclusively: "I think George has known almost from the beginning. He has always had a more prominent role — there have been many events with his late great-grandmother or great-grandfather when it was just him, and his siblings weren't there. I think they must have had that conversation very early on."

RELATED: Prince George Visits Prince William's Alma Mater Eton College — Will He Follow in Dad's Footsteps?

In 2016, Prince William opened up to the BBC about the significant revelation: "There'll be a time and place. Right now, it’s just a case of keeping a secure, stable environment around him and showing as much love as I can."

A palace insider tells PEOPLE, "I am sure [William and Kate] are making George aware in the best way they can. And not making it too burdensome."

Prince George recently stepped into the royal spotlight at King Charles' coronation in May, acting as one of his grandfather's Pages of Honor. During the crowning ceremony at Westminster Abbey, George assisted in carrying the King's robe and took a prominent place on the Buckingham Palace balcony following the service.

Prince William and Princess Kate, both 41, were aware of the pressure their son would feel — after all, he became the youngest future king to play an official role in a coronation — but felt he was ready for the task.

"He was terrific," says a close family friend.

And in a nod to the future of the monarchy, the palace released an official portrait of King Charles posing with his heirs, son Prince William and grandson Prince George, following the coronation.

RELATED: School's Out for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis! How They'll Spend Their Summer

Despite the public elements of his life, Prince William and Princess Kate strive to give Prince George and his siblings conventional childhoods filled with playing outdoors, experimenting in the kitchen and visiting the candy store.

"It's a massive balancing act," one palace insider tells PEOPLE. "William and Kate are doing the right thing, protecting him so he can have as normal a childhood as possible, but he's also dipping into duties as a future monarch."

The insider adds, "He’s getting firsthand experience of what it’s like to be a royal and a monarch and firsthand experience of being a normal boy."

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Much of that is inspired by Kate's upbringing outside the royal fold.

"Coming from a different background, she appreciates the importance of having family time," says a source close to the royal household. "She wasn't brought up in that aristocratic setting where you see the children for a short time each day."

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.