Prince George

Prince George

Britain's Prince George won't join his parents in the US because of their "busy schedule".

The 16-month-old prince will remain in the UK next month when Prince William and Duchess Catherine - who are expecting their second child together - make a brief visit to Washington D.C. and New York because their schedule is unsuitable for the youngster, unlike the three-week tour of New Zealand and Australia they undertook in April.

A source told The Royalist: "The length of visit and programme [which comprises] two days and a busy schedule just doesn't lend itself to taking Prince George.

"It's a different kind of visit from a three week tour to New Zealand and Australia."

William and Catherine - who was known as Kate Middleton before her marriage - will be in the US from December 7 to December 9.

The couple will jet into New York, with their first stop a visit to the World Trade Centre site and 9/11 memorial.

They will also attend a basketball game to launch a new collaboration between the Royal Foundation, the United for Wildlife non-profit organization and the NBA.

Catherine will then remain in New York while her husband makes a trip to Washington to attend an anti-corruption conference at the World Bank and give a speech about illegal wildlife trade.

The US visit marks the duchess' first overseas engagement since announcing her pregnancy.

A planned trip to Malta in September was cancelled because she was suffering from acute morning sickness.