Prince George's 'big moment' as he makes surprise appearance at tea party
It marked a major next step for the Waleses' son
The Prince and Princess of Wales's son, Prince George, made a surprise appearance at a Buckingham Palace tea party at the start of VE Day commemorations on Monday.
The young royal, 11, who was dressed smartly in a navy suit, was seen chatting to one of the veterans with his father, Prince William.
After watching the military procession from the dais on the Queen Victoria Memorial and then the flypast from the palace balcony, George joined his parents at the special reception, hosted by the King and Queen.
Around 50 veterans and people who lived through the Second World War â now supported by the Royal British Legion - were welcomed to the tea party to honour the bravery and service of the Second World War generation.
George joined his parents at the tea party after watching the procession and flypast
HELLO!'s Royal Editor, Emily Nash, says it's a significant moment for the Prince: "It was a lovely surprise to see Prince George joining the King and Queen and his parents for the veterans tea party at the Palace.
"It's a big moment for him as second-in-line to the throne and one he will remember for many years to come.
"Both William and Catherine have spoken about their desire to teach their children about major moments in history, such the Holocaust, so this is another way for them to connect that wartime generation with their own next generation."
George, who will one day be King, carried out his first official engagement in the UK at the age of two when he joined his parents at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
George at an airshow in 2016
The youngster also travelled on William and Kate's tour of Australia and New Zealand when he was eight months old, in 2014, as well as Canada in 2016, and Germany and Poland in 2017.
George's first royal tour to Australia and New Zealand in 2014
 The Prince, who is currently in Year 7 at Lambrook Preparatory School, is set to move school in September 2026 for the next part of his secondary education.
George attends Lambrook School with his younger siblings
Contenders include his father's school, Eton College, and his mother's alma mater, Marlborough College, in Wiltshire.Â