Prince George’s detailed kingfisher drawing is set to feature in a 300-page special edition of Country Life magazine, guest-edited by the Prince of Wales.
The 13-year-old royal created the artwork at home last spring, marking a high-profile public showcase of his artistic interests ahead of the publication’s Wednesday release. The young prince, who was 12 at the time of the drawing, depicted the bird perched on a branch.
Three Essential Takeaways
- Prince George’s kingfisher sketch joins a curated 300-page issue highlighting the Prince of Wales’s long-term countryside initiatives.
- The publication features an interview with the Princess of Wales, who discusses the healing influence of nature during her recovery.
- Prince William uses the platform to advocate for safer working conditions for women in the armed forces following a 2021 coroner’s report.
A Royal Tradition of Artistic Expression
The young prince—who began attending Eton College this past September—is following a well-trodden path. His grandfather, the King, is a keen artist, while the Princess of Wales pursued Art at A-level and studied the history of art at university.
Take a first look at the front cover of The Prince of Wales's Country Life and find out what's inside The special issue, out tomorrow, has been a long labour of love, says Paula Minchin. Exciting News #PrinceOfWales #PrinceWilliam Country Life is absolutely delighted to reveal… pic.twitter.com/lS9ArofRJv
This follows the 2025 release of portrait sketches created by the Princess of Wales and her children, which Kensington Palace described as a moment of connection meant to spend time focusing on one another while being creative. While the medium for those earlier works varied from charcoal to ink, the palace kept the specific identities of the artists behind those individual sketches private.
Advocacy for Military Culture Reform
Beyond the family-centric content, Prince William is using the guest-edit to address systemic issues within the British military. He is calling for a culture that is more inclusive and respectful, specifically seeking to protect women from sexual harassment.
The Prince of Wales has spent the last year conducting private and public meetings with servicewomen across the Royal Navy, the RAF, and the Army to better understand their daily realities. As noted by Country Life, the Prince argues that the places we love are not preserved by remaining unchanged, but by being improved for the future.
| Royal Guest Editor | Publication Focus | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| King Charles III | 65th & 70th Birthdays | Environmental Stewardship |
| Prince of Wales | Countryside & Military Safety | Prince George’s Art |
| Princess Royal | Rural Life | Equestrian Interests |
Connecting the Countryside to the Pitch
The magazine also offers a glimpse into the Prince of Wales’s personal life, from his “fanatical” support of Aston Villa to his preferred pub order: a pint of cider with ice.
The club’s manager, Unai Emery, appears in a video segment for the issue, praising the prince’s vocal support for the team. If we can give him good news, good results or good moments in football, we are proud of it,
Emery said.
By combining his commitment to the countryside and his Duchy of Cornwall estate with a candid look at family life—including walks with the family dogs, Orla and Otto—the Prince of Wales is guest editing a special edition of Country Life magazine.
He also recounts memories of growing up at Highgrove, noting he had to remember not to open the curtains before dressing because the gardens were often full of visitors.
Mark Hedges, the editor-in-chief of Country Life, has characterized the Prince as a “formidable, hands-on guest editor” who spent six months preparing the bumper issue.
👑💙🍃 SIX MONTHS IN THE MAKING! PRINCE WILLIAM TAKES THE EDITOR’S CHAIR FOR A VERY SPECIAL COUNTRY LIFE EDITION! ❤️ Dear Royal Community, 💙 There is something rather wonderful about seeing our future King take on a completely different kind of royal assignment! Prince… pic.twitter.com/k2x63jbOxa
More on Prince William
Prince William is the Guest Editor of a special commemorative issue of Country Life Magazine https://t.co/cBaolui5jN
The people’s Prince❤️ Our fabulous Prince William ❤️ Prince Of Wales ❤️ Thanks to The Royal Promise F/B Country Life magazine has unveiled the cover of its November 11 issue, guest-edited by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. At nearly 300 pages, it is the largest… pic.twitter.com/WWPJ6Zov4r
