Prince George is overjoyed to be nine years old.
On the eve of his birthday on July 22, Kate Middleton and Prince William have released a rare portrait of their eldest son. In the image, George looks on gleefully during a day out at the beach.
The picture was snapped by Kate Middleton during a family holiday in the UK earlier this month, the palace confirmed.
The new image reveals how George is taking after both his father and mother. His blonde mop of hair is undoubtedly familiar to his dad, while his eyes and dimples have an uncanny Middleton look about them. See for yourself below.
The Cambridge family usually spend the British summer at their Sandringham estate, Anmer Hall. Prior to the pandemic, they also travelled to private locations overseas. While their summer plans aren’t yet known, it’s likely they’ll spend some more time away together over the next month.
The Cambridge children, George, Princess Charlotte (seven) and Prince Louis (four) are slowly becoming common fixtures at royal events. Earlier this year, Prince Louis made headlines when he attended celebrations over the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Weekend.
Attending Trooping the Colour for the first time, Louis was seen taking cues from his two elder siblings who have been trained in royal public etiquette from a young age. At one point, Charlotte was seen pushing Louis’ arm down as his wave became a little manic.
Prince George has also been seen out and about several times without his siblings of late, including at the Wimbledon tennis championship finals earlier this month, which he attended with mum Kate Middleton. There’s no doubt the future king is being trained up for the role behind the scenes. In public, his manner is calm, polite and controlled—not your typical nine-year-old behaviour, though there’s no doubt he gets more animated when in the privacy of home. His new birthday pictures certainly suggest as much. Happy Birthday Prince George!