Royal Perks
Being a member of the royal family certainly has its advantages, especially when it comes to birthdays. Just ask Prince George, who once received a birthday "card" worth a whopping £120,000.
A Lavish Gift
For his first birthday, Prince George was given a very extravagant present from aviation company Hangar8. They repainted a private Bombardier Challenger jet with a special greeting that read, "Happy Birthday Prince George." The cost of this makeover reportedly reached six figures, making it one of the most expensive 'cards' ever.
A Distant Greeting
Unfortunately, Prince George was not able to see the plane in person or take a ride in it. The marketing director of Hangar8, Janus Kamradt, explained that they were unable to fly the jet to Kensington Palace. Instead, they sent Prince George a picture of his biggest birthday card.
Inspiring a Future Career
Janus Kamradt expressed the hope that this gesture might inspire Prince George to pursue a flying career in the future. While Prince George is currently interested in aviation, Kamradt believes he is still too young to be fully into it. However, he mentioned that perhaps one day Prince George will become a pilot like his father and grandfather.
Following in Royal Footsteps
Prince George's interest in aviation may lead him to follow in the footsteps of his father, Prince William, and his grandfather, Prince Charles. Prince Charles trained as a search and rescue pilot with the Royal Air Force in 2009. It seems that Prince George's fascination with the air cadets might be a stepping stone towards a future aviation career.
A History of Lavish Gifts
Prince George has received numerous lavish presents throughout his 10 years. At just eight months old, he was given an orb of Lapis Lazuli by Pope Francis. King Charles gifted him an £18,000 shepherd's hut, and Pippa Middleton reportedly gave him a "creepy" Christening gift worth £7,000. Additionally, jewellery designer Theo Fennell presented Prince George and Kate with an extravagant £10,000 18ct white gold charm bracelet to commemorate his birth.
