It appears Prince William has already started preparing Prince George for his eventual destiny as king — but he is reportedly determined to make sure his eldest son doesn’t grow up fearing the role.

Shaping Destiny, Not Duty

Prince George, now 12, will one day inherit the throne. Although William himself has yet to step up as monarch, royal experts believe it is never too early to begin guiding his son.

Royal historian Robert Lacey told PEOPLE that William’s approach is focused on framing George’s future in a positive way. “I imagine that when William talks to George about things like this, he uses words like ‘destiny’ rather than ‘duty’,” Lacey explained. “‘Duty’ has a sense of being trapped. But ‘destiny’ has a sense of choice.”

According to insiders, William and Catherine want George to grow up with a sense of freedom before being weighed down with titles. A palace source even described the young royal as “the most normal 12-year-old future monarch we have ever had.”