'I will ALWAYS be here to support you': TJ Jackson beams with pride as cousin and ward Prince graduates from high school

By Ross Mcdonagh For Dailymail.com

Published: 10:57 EST, 31 May 2015 | Updated: 17:04 EST, 31 May 2015

Prince Jackson has graduated from high school.

The family of the late Michael Jackson took to social media this weekend to share how proud they were of the 18-year-old.

Among them was TJ, Prince's cousin and legal co-guardian, who posted a picture of the two beaming Jackson men to Instagram.

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Proud: TJ Jackson beamed with pride as his nephew and ward Price Jackson graduated from high school on Saturday

Proud: TJ Jackson beamed with pride as his nephew and ward Price Jackson graduated from high school on Saturday

'Prince, you have grown into an incredibly special young man. Words can't express how proud I am of you,' he wrote. 'I will ALWAYS be here to support you wherever life takes you. I love you!'

Prince's sister Paris, his grandmother Katherine and his aunt La Toya were also gathered at Buckley High School in Sherman Oaks on Saturday, along with several other friends and relatives.

'So very proud of @princemjjjaxon YOU DID! And you did it with Honors!!! #buckleyclassof2015,' La Toya wrote on the day after her 59th birthday.

Family: Michael Jackson's sister La Toya was also there to support her late brother's oldest son 

Family: Michael Jackson's sister La Toya was also there to support her late brother's oldest son 

According to Us Magazine, the teenager was 'ecstatic' when he received his diploma while his family gave him a standing ovation. 

'When they announced his name, the whole Jackson family stood up and cheered and whistled,' an eyewitness said. 'Prince was ecstatic as he crossed the stage and picked up his diploma.'

The onlooker said the family sat in the front row for the ceremony, and little sister Paris seemed 'very proud' of him in particular.

Ovation: The Jackson family sat in the front row for the ceremony Buckley High School in Sherman Oaks

Ovation: The Jackson family sat in the front row for the ceremony Buckley High School in Sherman Oaks

'She was fixing the collar on Prince's shirt, and gave him a big hug and congratulated him.'

Prince has previously indicated that he wanted to attend the University Of Southern California to study film, business or mechanical science. 

Tito Joe 'TJ' Jackson, 36, is the youngest son of Michael's older brother Tito.

Next step: Prince, seen here with a friend sporting a USC top in April, has previously indicated he would like to study film, business or mechanical science there

Next step: Prince, seen here with a friend sporting a USC top in April, has previously indicated he would like to study film, business or mechanical science there

He was granted co-guardianship of Michael's three children, including 17-year-old Paris and 13-year-old Blanket, in 2012 along with 85-year-old grandmother Katherine.

Sole guardianship of the kids was switched temporarily to the former from the latter that year when Katherine reportedly went on a vacation without alerting child services.

But after a court battle co-guardianship was instated that same year. 

BFFs: TJ, pictured here with Prince in 2013, was chosen as co-guardian because of his close ties with Michael's children

BFFs: TJ, pictured here with Prince in 2013, was chosen as co-guardian because of his close ties with Michael's children

 

 

 

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