A new picture of Prince George has been released to mark his 12th birthday today.
The Prince and Princess of Wales posted the photograph of their eldest child, which was taken in Norfolk earlier this year by photographer Josh Shinner.
The image shows a smiling Prince George looking relaxed as he leans on a wooden gate near his country home at Anmer Hall. With a friendship bracelet on his wrist, the informal picture shows George wearing a checked shirt with a bodywarmer.
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Later, Kate and William released a short “behind the scenes” video shot by the Kensington Palace social media team. It showed George walking hand-in-hand with his younger sister Princess Charlotte, 10, and their younger brother Prince Louis, 7.
At one stage George is seen lifting his little brother up.
The portrait was posted on the official Kensington Palace social media pages accompanied by the message: “Happy 12th Birthday to Prince George!” followed by a cake emoji.
His birthday falls during his summer break from Lambrook prep school. He has one year left before moving up to senior school — with either Eton or Marlborough College thought to be the frontrunners.
The prince joined his parents and sister Princess Charlotte at the Wimbledon men’s final earlier this month.
Prince George at Wimbledon this year
ROB NEWELL/GETTY IMAGES
The royal family at Trooping the Colour in June
TIMES PHOTOGRAPHER RICHARD POHLE
In June, George was seen advising his younger brother Louis on the Buckingham Palace balcony to wave calmly to the crowds as they watched the Trooping the Colour ceremony.
Prince George Alexander Louis was born in the private Lindo wing of St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London, at 4.24pm on July 22, 2013, weighing 8lb 6oz.
In the past the Princess of Wales, a keen amateur photographer, has taken official portraits of her family, however Shinner has been chosen for several public images recently.
He took a picture of Prince William and their three children on Father’s Day and was also commissioned to take the photograph the family shared on their Christmas card in 2023.
William and Kate have both spoken about the toll that her recent cancer treatment has taken on the family, however the princess is gradually returning to her public role.
Prince George, too, has been seen on more royal engagements in recent months as he learns more about his royal role.
The image of Prince George released on his tenth birthday, as captured at Windsor by Millie Pilkington
KENSINGTON PALACE
Prince George on his 11th birthday
A happy England fan in 2019
THE PRINCESS OF WALES
The picture of the prince released on his first birthday
JOHN STILLWELL/PA
Prince George with Princess Charlotte in 2015
PRINCESS OF WALES/PA
In May, the prince joined his parents and Second World War veterans at Buckingham Palace for a tea party to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
George met Alfred Littlefield, 101, who served on D-Day and asked: “What was it like when you were coming in?”
Littlefield told George that it was “pretty awful” and added: “You know, it’s very important you are here today. It’s days like this that we should use to talk about things like this, so the younger generation can have some understanding.”
Turning to William, Littlefield said: “You should be very proud.”
George also met Dougie Hyde, 99, who joined the Merchant Navy in 1944, aged 18, and joined a secret operation to liberate Europe.
Hearing about his months going back and forth to the beaches to supply munitions and amphibious vehicles, George asked: “Did you ever get shot at? Did you ever see a U-boat?”
Hyde said: “I was very impressed with the lad’s interest. I told him luckily I wasn’t ever shot at but we did lose one of our fleet in the Channel.”