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.Â
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.Â
Kensington Palace has shared a stunning portrait of Prince George, taken by his mother Kate, to mark his 11th birthdayÂ
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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
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.
During his trip to the Channel Islands last week, King Charles was also spotted wearing a handmade bracelet around his right wrist (appears left in photo)
As Princess Charlotte attended the Wimbledon men’s final she was also wearing bracelets that looked very similar to the one Prince George was wearing in his birthday portrait
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.Â
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’. Â
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.
Prince George has come to resemble a mini statesman in recent months, showing grace and fortitude at official events despite a turbulent time for the royal family
Taylor Swift with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince William at her Wembley gig last month
George turning to look at the crowds on the Buckingham Palace balcony on the day of the Coronation of his grandfather, King Charles, May 6, 2023
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’.Â
Seven! Prince George pictured celebrating his seventh birthday during lockdown in 2021
Little lion! Prince George captured by Kate in an England football shirt to mark his sixth birthday in 2019
2016: Prince George dressed in a navy quilted jacket and light blue rucksack grinned as he made his way into Westacre Montessori School near the family home, Anmer Hall in Norfolk
Royal fans have shared their favourite childhood snaps of Prince George to mark his 11th birthday on X, formerly Twitter. Pictured above: A Christmas photo of the young royal in 2014 when he was 18 months old
Four-year-old George walking into school with William for his first day at Thomas’s in BatterseaÂ
The public got the chance to see three-month-old Prince George as his mother carries him into St James’s Palace for his christening in October 2013
Nearly two, George takes a stroll at the Beaufort Polo Club in 2015
Prince William carrying George into the Lindo wing of St Mary’s Hospital to visit Kate after Charlotte was born in 2015
The Princess of Wales proved her photography skills once again with a touching image of Prince William (pictured centre) with Prince George (pictured far right), Princess Charlotte (pictured left), and Prince Louis (pictured right), for Father’s Day
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.’