In a heartwarming display of royal tradition and family legacy, images of Prince George at two pivotal Christmas moments—six years apart—have captured the public’s imagination. On December 16, 2025, the 12-year-old future king joined his father, Prince William, at The Passage homelessness charity in London to help prepare a festive lunch. This echoes a cherished memory from December 21, 2019, when a six-year-old George enthusiastically stirred Christmas puddings alongside his great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, grandfather King Charles (then Prince of Wales), and father at Buckingham Palace (though often misremembered as Windsor Castle). These snapshots, separated by half a decade, illustrate not just how quickly time passes, but how the young prince is growing into his role with grace, empathy, and a deepening sense of duty.
The 2025 visit to The Passage marked a significant milestone for George. Accompanied solely by his father—the Prince of Wales—the pair arrived at the central London charity on a crisp Tuesday morning, rolling up their sleeves to assist in preparations for a Christmas lunch serving around 150 vulnerable guests. Donning aprons, William handled the brussels sprouts, pouring them onto trays with practiced ease, while George took charge of arranging Yorkshire puddings, laughing as he worked alongside head chef Claudette Hawkins. The duo also packed care packages, baked cupcakes, decorated a Christmas tree (one previously used at the Princess of Wales’s carol service), and helped set tables complete with festive crackers.
What made the occasion profoundly moving was its personal connection to the Wales family. The Passage holds deep significance for William, who first visited as an 11-year-old in 1993 with his mother, the late Princess Diana. That experience profoundly shaped his lifelong commitment to tackling homelessness, inspiring his Homewards initiative aimed at ending the crisis. Bringing George—now roughly the same age William was during his first visit—felt like a full-circle moment. Chief executive Mick Clarke described it as “1993 through to 2025,” noting how George eagerly “got stuck in,” much like his father. In a symbolic gesture, the young prince signed the charity’s visitors’ book on the very page bearing signatures from Diana and William decades earlier.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson emphasized that it was important for William to share the charity’s work with George, allowing him to volunteer alongside staff and learn about supporting society’s most vulnerable. The pair chatted with service users, including couples who had found stability through The Passage after periods of rough sleeping. George appeared engaged and compassionate, asking questions and absorbing the atmosphere of warmth and community that William remembered from his childhood visits.
This outing contrasts beautifully with George’s earlier festive contribution in 2019. At just six years old, he joined three generations of royals—Queen Elizabeth II, then-Prince Charles, and Prince William—in Buckingham Palace’s Music Room to prepare Christmas puddings as part of the Royal British Legion’s “Together at Christmas” initiative. The event supported veterans and armed forces communities, with the puddings destined for gatherings across the UK and Commonwealth.
Photographs and footage from that day show a pint-sized George standing on a step stool, vigorously stirring a large bowl of mixture with a wooden spoon. His enthusiasm was infectious—prompting giggles from Charles and even a cautious step back from the Queen as he attacked the thick batter with gusto. William guided his son’s hand, adding fruits, while the four generations represented the continuity of royal service. The puddings included commemorative sixpences for luck, and the moment symbolized unity across ages.
Those 2019 images, released ahead of the Queen’s Christmas broadcast, delighted the nation with their rarity: four heirs to the throne in one frame, engaged in a humble, hands-on act of charity. Young George’s determined expression and the family’s warm interactions offered a glimpse into private royal life, blending tradition with tenderness.
Fast-forward to 2025, and the boy who once gleefully stirred pudding has matured into a poised 12-year-old, ready to engage with real-world issues. The Passage visit was George’s first public volunteering of this kind, signaling the gradual introduction to duties that William and the Princess of Wales have carefully managed. Protected fiercely in his early years, George has increasingly appeared at significant events: from Wimbledon matches to state occasions, and now this poignant charitable endeavor.
The juxtaposition of these two moments highlights the thoughtful parenting of William and Catherine. Drawing from Diana’s legacy of hands-on compassion—she famously took her sons to shelters to instill empathy—the Prince of Wales is passing on those values. As Clarke observed, the family aims to show their children “life outside the palace” and the importance of supporting the vulnerable. George’s involvement comes at a time when homelessness remains a pressing issue, and William’s patronage of The Passage underscores the royals’ ongoing commitment.
Beyond the charity work, these events reflect George’s personal growth. From a playful child splashing pudding mixture to a young teen conversing with chefs and guests, he exudes the quiet confidence expected of a future king. Observers note his resemblance to William at that age—tall, thoughtful, and increasingly aware of his position.
The 2025 visit also coincided with broader royal festive activities. Just days earlier, George joined siblings Charlotte and Louis at their mother’s “Together at Christmas” carol service at Westminster Abbey, a star-studded event celebrating community heroes. The family later attended the traditional Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace, providing a stark yet intentional contrast: opulence alongside outreach.
As Christmas 2025 approaches, these images serve as a reminder of enduring royal traditions. Prince George’s path—from stirring puddings in palace grandeur to preparing meals for those in need—embodies the monarchy’s evolving role: one of service, empathy, and connection. How time has flown, indeed. The little boy with the wooden spoon is stepping confidently into a legacy of compassion, one festive act at a time.
