Prince George is beaming in a brand new picture that's been released on social media to mark his 11th birthday.
The second-in-line to the throne is celebrating his special day today and looks incredibly grown up and dapper in the new snap, donning a smart suit and an open neck shirt as he grins at the camera. The black and white picture, taken by his mum the Princess of Wales earlier this month in Windsor, is accompanied with a sweet message that reads: "Wishing Prince George a very happy 11th birthday today!"
The future King's birthday comes after a particularly difficult start to the year for the Royal Family with both George's grandfather King Charles and mum, Kate, receiving cancer diagnoses. The health struggles hitting the family mean that until recently, the young prince had made few public appearances this year as the Firm processed the news.
READ MORE: King Charles and Prince William 'came ready for a fight' to secret meeting with Prince Harry
READ MORE: Kate Middleton 'proves Meghan Markle wrong' after shock claim about the Royal Family
Royal expert Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, told the Mirror : "Kate's illness this year has obviously been distressing for George but as the eldest family member he is expected to set an example to his confident younger sister, Charlotte and little brother Louis and he has been especially protective."
The youngster's birthday comes just days after he joined his dad William to support England in their Euro 2024 final against Spain, his latest outing in a spree of more recent public appearances. He joined William at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany , as the side failed to end a 58-year wait for a major men's trophy.
It was not the first time the prince cheered England on at a Euros final, as he could be seen ecstatically celebrating the Three Lions' early goal in the Euro 2020 final alongside William and Kate. At the end of June, George met Taylor Swift at her concert at Wembley Stadium. The prince and his sister, Charlotte, nine, joined William in smiling for a backstage selfie with the US singer to celebrate their father's 42nd birthday. Swift's boyfriend, American footballer Travis Kelce, said the royal children were "an absolute delight".
Only a week earlier, the young prince joined other members of the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to celebrate the King's official birthday. George smiled and waved to thousands of well-wishers as Kate made her first public appearance since announcing her cancer diagnosis earlier this year. The prince had earlier joined his mother, sister and six-year-old brother Louis in a carriage as they traveled down The Mall for the traditional Trooping the Colour ceremony.
In May, George and his father presented the FA Cup to winners Man United at Wembley. The young prince shook hands with both teams, exchanged a few words with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and also spoke briefly with former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson following the full-time whistle.
Ingrid added: "Like many boys when they reach the age of 11, Prince George is making the transition from childhood into adulthood. He learned how to be a child and now he is learning how to be an adult and to think about himself in new and challenging ways. But because of his status as a royal prince and future King, George had to grow up quicker than most. He was brought up to be polite and kind to everyone.
"His big test came at the Coronation when he had to dress up as a page wearing hot itchy clothes and carry the corner of his grandfather's robes. Since then, he has been relatively free from serious royal appearances and able to enjoy the fun ones like Trooping the Colour.
"To make up for all the dreary public appearances he has done, George has had a front-row seat at football matches with his dad, including the final of the Euros. He traveled to Germany with his father and the newly elected Prime Minister, Keir Starmer , and other sporting luminaries.
"William and Kate have always been wary of exposing their children to the public as William still has painful memories of his own childhood and how he hated the persistent attention. Prince George's public entrance into royal life had a gentle beginning. Kate and William planned it that way and will continue to do so.
His full name is George Alexander Louis and he was born in the private Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, London, at 4.24pm on July 22 2013, weighing 8lb 6oz. He made his debut in front of the world 's media on the hospital steps one day later, wrapped in a white merino wool shawl, cradled in his mother’s arms.
He will be the 43rd monarch since William the Conqueror to wear the crown if he follows the reigns of his grandfather, the King, and then his father, William.
Most Popular
Comments / 0