Palace Releases New Photo for George’s 9th Birthday, Plus 9 of Our Fave Pics of the Young Prince Over the Years

Just weeks after a very grown up-looking Prince George charmed royal watchers at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the young royal celebrates his last single-digit birthday — his 9th — today.

Keeping with tradition, mum and keen shutterbug Kate, 40, has taken a new portrait of him to mark the occasion.

In the photo, captured on a holiday in the U.K. this month, the future king of England flashes his trademark sweet smile for the camera, wearing a light blue collared shirt, with a sandy shoreline in the background. The snap has many royal watchers commenting just how much he looks like his father, Prince William, 40. In the past there has been much debate on who he most resembles, including the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and her brother, Charles Earl of Spencer, as well as George’s maternal grandfather, Michael Middleton. Other fans claim the young royal is a perfect combination of his mum and dad.

Kate and William captioned their July 21 post, “George is turning 9!” adding a birthday cake and balloon emoji.

It promises to be a busy year ahead for George and his family, with the Cambridge’s planned move from Kensington Palace to the Berkshires. The move means the family will be closer to the Queen and also Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael. It will also allow the children the privacy and freedom to roam about the Queen’s vast 655-acre Windsor estate.

Third in line to the throne behind his father Prince William and his grandfather Prince Charles, the little royal’s full name reads His Royal Highness Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge. He was named after the Queen’s grandfather King George V. Alexandra is the Queen’s middle name, while Louis is one of Prince William’s middle names.

In honour of his 9th birthday, we revisit nine of our fave Prince George royal moments, starting at present day and going back to his first official photograph.

1. Trooping the Colour: The Next Generation of Royals

A poised Prince George waves to cheering crowds during his great-grandmother’s Platinum Jubilee celebration last month, accompanied by siblings, Prince Louis (4) and Princess Charlotte (7). The royal brood, who accompanied their parents on several outings including the Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace, is known for their occasional cheekiness, but also for their impeccably good manners.

2. Twinning: Like Father, Like Son

Prince George looked every bit the image of a king-in-training when he dressed in a suit and tie — just like dad — for both of his Euro Cup stadium appearances last year. (Remember, George has long been a style icon, even rating on GQ’s “50 Best-Dressed Men in Britain” list in 2015.) His enthusiasm after England defeated Germany in the semi-finals put him on the front pages, a good luck charm for the pandemic-weary, football-crazed country.

 

3. Supporting NHS

The Royal Family, including the Cambridge kids, were highly visible in their support of the nation during the long months of pandemic lockdown. Here, Prince George, along with his younger siblings are seen participating in the Clap for Carers campaign in 2020, to support the National Health Service (NHS) for their efforts in fighting the coronavirus.

Royal watchers were also treated to rare video footage of the Cambridge kids as they quizzed Attenborough about wildlife and the natural world. It was the first time George and his sister and brother were heard speaking in public.

 

 

 

5. Heading to His First Day of School

The little royal, 4, looked slightly nervous as he arrived for his first day of classes at Thomas’s Battersea school in south London. He was wearing his school’s “summer uniform” — a blue button-down shirt beneath a navy v-neck sweater and matching shorts. Here, he is seen greeting Helen Haslem, a senior teacher who later introduced him to the other students.

 

6. Canada Gets the Royal Treatment

Three-year-old Prince George and 15-month-old Princess Charlotte stole the show when they joined their parents on their 2016 royal tour of British Columbia and Yukon. Here, Kate is seen wearing a royal blue Jenny Packham suit with a matching hat, while the ever-adorable George is wearing a blue sweater and shorts with knee socks.

7. Bonding With Queen Elizabeth (Gan-Gan)

Royal insiders say that the young prince has an especially close relationship with his 96-year-old great-grandmother, the Queen, whom he calls “Gan Gan.”

Here, they are seen chatting at Princess Charlotte’s christening (July 5, 2015). Another pic from 2016 shows George posing for a postage stamp with his father, Prince William, grandfather Prince Charles and the Queen herself.

8. Greeting President Obama in a Bathrobe

In what has to be the most adorable photo ever, two-year-old George greeted the president of the United States, on a 2016 visit to London, in a mini-white robe and pyjama pants. He reportedly was allowed to stay up late to meet the Obamas, who gifted him with a rocking horse. Earlier that day, then 94-year-old Prince Philip famously drove the president and first lady, the most protected couple in the world, in his Range Rover to a lunch honouring the monarch’s 90th birthday.

9. A Prince Is Born: First Official Photo

The first official photos of the baby prince were released nearly a month after his birth. Instead of taking the customary professional portraits, William and Kate opted for a more informal route. The duchess’s father, Michael Middleton, snapped the photos in the garden of their family home in Berkshire. Pictured with them is beloved family dog, Lupo, who sadly passed away in November 2020.

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