Prince William and Kate Middleton don't want to "weigh Prince George down" with the "burden" of becoming the future king, an expert has claimed.

Royal biographer Katie Nicholl says that while George, who celebrated his ninth birthday last week, "understands" he will be King one day, it is "not made into a big deal."

Speaking exclusively to OK!, Katie said: "William struggled with [knowing his destiny] when he was a young man and he’s very keen George doesn’t experience that same sense of burden from an early age.

"George understands the order of succession, and he knows that one day he will be king, but he also knows that’s a long way in the future. It’s not made into a big deal."

Discussing how the eldest of the Cambridge children has been seen at more events in recent months, Katie continued: "He is older now, he is nine, he is clearly quite competent on the public stage.

"He’s not as outgoing or as extroverted as his sister or little brother but he seems quite comfortable taking on the few public duties he’s done.

"The engagements that William and Kate have brought him to are things where George is going to feel comfortable.

"It’s a football match, a game of tennis, the Jubilee celebrations, which are feel good and fun.”

She added: “George being seen alongside his father and grandfather is an important message to Britain, and actually to the Commonwealth and beyond, that Charles, William and George is the image of the future monarchy.”

Last week, Katie told us what a typical birthday in the Cambridge household looks like as George celebrated his big day.

"George’s birthday falls in the school holidays so I would imagine it will be celebrated at Anmer Hall and, in keeping with past birthdays, it’s usually spent with friends and family and is a pretty low key affair," she said.

"Kate bakes a cake and they have people round to the house. There’s a focus on just being at home with those nearest and dearest.

"They aren’t spoilt with presents, they never go over the top but George will have had a wish list and would have had lots of lovely presents to open up on his birthday."

To mark the occasion, George was seen flashing a cheeky grin in a brand new portrait, shot by his mother Kate Middleton, on a UK beach.

In the candid snap, George looks like any other happy pre teen as he beams into the camera, wearing a casual blue polo t-shirt while standing on the beach.

Kate, 40, is a keen amateur photographer, and is well-known for taking many of the official family photos that she and Prince William, also 40, have released to the public.

READ MORE:

• Prince George's birthday will be 'a low key affair' but he 'won't be spoilt', says expert

• Prince George’s birthday photos through the years as he grins in 9th annual snap

• Prince George is all grown up as he flashes cheeky smile in 9th birthday photo taken by mum Kate Middleton

• Kate and William plan one last 'normal' summer for kids before ‘daunting’ Windsor move

• For the latest updates on the Royal family, sign up to OK!'s weekly royals newsletter

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