Prince George, the eldest son of the Prince and Princess of Wales, turns 12 on July 22.
To celebrate, his parents shared a new photograph taken by Josh Shinner in Norfolk, near their residence at Anmer Hall.
Prince George’s birthday photo
In the image, George appears leaning on a wooden fence, smiling and dressed in a fleece vest over a white shirt.
The photo was posted on their official accounts with a brief congratulatory message.
“Happy 12th Birthday to Prince George!” they wrote on social media.
The image shared on Tuesday continues a tradition of family portraits on birthdays.
Just a few months ago, Charlotte celebrated her 10th birthday with a photo taken by her mother during a walk. Louis, the youngest of the three, turned 7 at the end of April.
The Wales family has kept this custom alive, offering small glimpses of their children’s growth while maintaining as private a life as possible within the royal framework.
The young prince has had a remarkable year, with public appearances that have cemented his position as a key figure within the royal family.
As second in line to the throne, the eldest son of the Prince and Princess of Wales embodies the future of the Crown.
His recent appearances show how he has internalized his role, knowing how to behave in public situations, assume formal postures when necessary, and stay close to his parents without standing out. His behavior conveys that he is learning to represent the Crown naturally.
Today, however, George celebrates his birthday like any other child his age, probably surrounded by his family, in a private setting where he can continue to be just that, a child who also laughs, plays, and grows up, even though the weight of a crown is already part of his path.