The Prince and Princess of Wales have shared a stunning portrait of Prince George as he celebrates his 11th birthday today.
The black and white photo, taken by keen photographer Kate, 42, shows the future King in a suit, beaming for the camera.
The young royal, who is the eldest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales, was born George Alexander Louis on July 22, 2013, in the the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London.
In the new photo, which was shared on the Kensington Palace X and Instagram accounts, George’s hair is combed to one side and he’s looking sharp – just like his father – in a suit as he beams for the camera.
Royal fans have become used to seeing the future King dressed smartly in recent years as he prepares to sit on the throne one day. However, this photo shows the royal looking a little more relaxed in an open collar instead of a tie.
He is also wearing what appears to be a delicate handmade bracelet on his left wrist – which looks strikingly similar to jewellery sported by Princess Charlotte and King Charles in recent appearances.
Posting the snap on their social media accounts, the Waleses said: ‘Wishing Prince George a very happy 11th birthday today!’
They confirmed the snap had been taken by Kate some time this year.
The Princess of Wales has long been a keen photographer and is often the person behind the camera when her children’s birthday portraits are taken.
She is particularly adept at capturing her family in natural poses, letting their personalities shine through.
This year, as she has been undergoing cancer treatment, Kate’s commitment to capturing her family’s special moments has been a sign of encouragement to royal fans that her recovery is going well.
In April this year, as Prince Louis celebrated his sixth birthday, the Palace revealed his portrait had once again been taken by Kate – which came as much-needed good news for royal fans who had been concerned about the Princess’s condition since she revealed to the world she was undergoing chemotherapy.
After the royal mother-of-three revealed in March that she had begun the preventative treatment following the discovery of cancerous cells in an abdominal operation in January, many fans were worried for her wellbeing.
Later in the year, Kensington Palace revealed other photos Kate had taken for occasions including Father’s Day, when a photo was shared of the Wales family on the beach in Norfolk.
However, the snap was an encouraging sign that she was back behind the camera and in good spirits; able to continue doing the things she loves.
Responding to the new birthday portrait, royal fans gushed over the future King and his stately image – noting a strong resemblance to his father in particular.
One person said: ‘He’s the splitting (sic) image of his father, honestly. Happy Birthday George!’
Another added: ‘Prince George looks so much like his Dad.’
A third royal fan said: ‘He is so handsome but I can’t believe he is already 11.’
Many shared such disbelief that the prince is now 11 years old – with some people making the point that he’s ‘almost a teen’.
As he turns 11 today, George, who is second in line to the throne, is gearing up to begin secondary school in September – although it is not yet clear which institution Kate and William have chosen to send him to.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are sternly private about their children’s lives, meaning royal fans will be left guessing as to how George will spend his special day.
However, the 11-year-old royal’s godmother has revealed a special tradition, inspired by Princess Diana, that she takes part in with her godson every year on his birthday.
British psychotherapist Julia Samuels, 64, formed a close friendship with Lady Diana after meeting her at a dinner party in 1987.
Speaking on the How to Fail with Elizabeth Day podcast, she previously revealed that she buys the ‘feisty and cheeky’ young royal ‘impossible’ noisy toys that take the Prince of Wales, 42, ‘days to put together’ in a running joke inspired by Diana.
In conversation about George, Julia said: ‘He is amazing. He’s funny and feisty and cheeky and God she [Diana] would have loved him so much. That is heartbreaking for all of them’.
Julia followed in the footsteps of the Princess, who was godmother to her son, revealing: ‘So I do to George what she did to us, which is give impossible toys which are really noisy, take a lot of making.’
The therapist, who has published two books about grief, also discussed her memories of Princess Diana, saying: ‘At the time and what I feel about that in retrospect are at the opposite ends of the spectrum.
‘At the time, I sort of felt outraged that people were crying and wailing when they never met her. It didn’t make sense.
‘But it didn’t take me long to realise that people felt they knew her, her vulnerability they connected with. And that it was an amazing tribute.’
She revealed: ‘You never think one person can change the world and then you see someone like her.’
‘By being as open and honest and vulnerable and authentic as she was, it changed the world and it certainly changed Great Britain. She had an absolutely lasting effect on us.
‘Now, I feel immensely proud. In those first days, it was a visceral response, it was like, shut up.’
After being asked if she was a ‘good’ godmother to George, she said she was ‘pretty good’.
Julia explained that she had an on-going tradition with the Waleses, revealing: ‘I come in slightly tipped by the size of the present that William then has to spend days putting together.
‘And then put all the machinery together and it makes awful tooting noises and lights flashing and all of that. That makes me laugh and it makes George laugh.’
But while the young prince embarks upon a new chapter in his life, royal fans have indulged in nostalgia to celebrate his milestone, sharing photos on X, formerly Twitter, of the royal in his infant and toddler years.
When he was growing up, George was known for cheeky appearances akin to the comical displays now associated with his younger brother, Prince Louis.
The eldest of the Wales children also won hearts around the world with his cherub-like looks.
Celebrating his birthday on social media, royal fans wished the young prince many happy returns and shared their favourite childhood snaps of him.
As George celebrates his 11th year, it comes after a tough few months for his family due to family illness.
In January, Kensington Palace announced the Princess of Wales was taking time out from public facing duties to recover after undergoing abdominal surgery at the London Clinic for a condition that was not revealed to the public.
Two months later, following mass speculation and wild conspiracy theories about the state of her health, Kate shared a heartfelt video message in which she revealed doctors had found cancerous cells during her operation.
She also revealed that, as a result, she had been undergoing ‘preventative’ chemotherapy.
The Princess shared how she and William ‘have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family’.
Meanwhile George’s grandfather King Charles, 75, is also undergoing treatment for cancer, although he has returned to public facing duties in recent months.
In a sign that his mother’s treatment is going well, George enjoyed a public outing with her at Trooping the Colour to mark the King’s official birthday in June.
He rode in a carriage with Kate, Charlotte and 6-year-old Louis during the procession and stood on the balcony at Buckingham Palace with his family.
Despite the family struggles, George has continued to shine at all his public appearances.
His demeanor has demonstrated how the young Prince is being well prepared for his future responsibilities as monarch.
He has been to Aston Villa matches, the FA Cup final and England’s clash with Spain in the Euro 2024 final earlier this month.
As George approaches secondary school age, there has also been speculation over where he will spend his next stage of education.
Prince William attended the prestigious Eton College while Kate went to Marlborough School in Buckinghamshire.
William and Kate visited both as they looked into options for George.
But it emerged earlier this year that the couple had added Oundle School in Peterborough to their list of options for their eldest son.
The £34,000-a-year co-educational school in north Northamptonshire dates from 1556 but has a modern ethos, boasting on its website: ‘We have a responsibility to ensure that every single member of the school community takes both individual and collective action towards environmental sustainability.’
As royal fans are left speculating as to where the young prince will continue his education as he reaches secondary level, one joked: ‘Now he can go to Hogwarts.’