Who is Prince George? Britain's Royal family shares new birthday portrait of the young heir

Prince George, the eldest child of Prince William and Catherine, the Prince and Princess of Wales, turned 12 on July 22. To mark the occasion, Kensington Palace released a new portrait of the young royal, taken earlier this year by photographer Josh Shinner in Norfolk. The image shows George smiling in a countryside setting, dressed in a gilet and sporting a friendship bracelet, continuing the family’s tradition of sharing milestone birthday photos.
All about Prince George
As second in line to the British throne, Prince George has grown up in the public eye while his parents strive to give him as normal a childhood as possible at their home, Adelaide Cottage, on the Windsor estate. The latest photo was accompanied by a birthday message posted to the couple's official Instagram account: “Happy 12th Birthday to Prince George!”

Over the years, George has made several public appearances. He’s attended Wimbledon with his parents, supported Aston Villa alongside his father, and joined the royal family on the Buckingham Palace balcony during major events like the Trooping the Colour and King Charles III’s coronation.


In May 2023, George took part in the Big Help Out initiative, trying his hand at archery during a visit to the 3rd Upton Scouts Hut. He’s also met war veterans at a tea party in Buckingham Palace during the 80th anniversary of VE Day celebrations.

Speculation continues about whether Prince George will attend Eton College, where Prince William studied. Entry decisions are typically made a year in advance, around age 13.

The tradition of birthday portraits extends to George’s siblings as well. This April, Prince Louis was featured in a cheerful birthday photo, while Princess Charlotte’s birthday in May was marked by a portrait taken by Kate herself.

From accompanying his parents on royal tours to charming moments at charity polo matches and weddings, Prince George’s journey as a future king is being chronicled one milestone at a time—balancing royal heritage with glimpses of a modern, grounded upbringing.