Prince George, the eldest child of Prince William and Kate Middleton, just turned 11 years old, marking yet another milestone for the young heir to the British throne. The royals celebrated this occasion by sharing a heartwarming black and white photo, captured by none other than his mother, the Princess of Wales herself. The image, which shows George dressed in a smart dark suit and wearing a friendship bracelet, was taken earlier this month in Windsor.
Naturally, the photograph quickly garnered widespread attention, with many observers noting George's uncanny resemblance to his father. “He's the splitting image of his father,” commented one Instagram user, echoing a sentiment shared by numerous other royal fans. The similarities were striking enough that Christopher Andersen, author of "The King," remarked, "He resembles so many of his relatives," including his father, Prince William, as well as James Middleton and Charles Spencer.
For his birthday, Prince George enjoyed a typical and low-key family celebration, maintaining the royal parents' commitment to providing a normal upbringing despite the weight of royal responsibilities. According to insiders, the young prince had two parties: one with close family, including his cousins, and another with school friends. A certain standout feature of the celebration was a cake baked by Kate Middleton herself. This indoor celebration was also necessary due to the ongoing public battles with cancer faced by both George’s mother and grandfather.
However, celebrations aren't the only thing on Prince George's agenda. The young royal had a fun and lively summer before his birthday. Earlier, George attended the Wimbledon 2023 tournament with his sister Charlotte, where they were animated spectators during the matches. In mid-July, he traveled with Prince William to Berlin to watch the UEFA European Championship final between Spain and England, although they saw their beloved England fall 2-1 to Spain.
Prince George also made an appearance at Taylor Swift's first London show during her "Eras Tour" alongside his father and sister. The highlight of that event wasn't merely the performance but also the backstage selfie featuring Taylor Swift, her boyfriend Travis Kelce, and the royal trio. Swift posted this image on Instagram, captioning it with a friendly “Happy Bday M8!” addressing Prince William, whose birthday was the day before.
As he grows older, George’s life is set to undergo more significant changes. Following a traditional "morbid" rule designed to protect the line of succession, next year marks the first time that George will be required to fly separately from his father. Andersen explained, “Starting at age 12, heirs to the throne are required to take their trips separately to preserve the line of succession should an accident occur.” This rule is just a part of the various safety measures the royals live by, though it's a reminder of the responsibilities that come with their titles.
Despite the stringent royal protocols, Kate and William have always strived to keep their children’s lives as ordinary as possible. As part of this effort, Kate, a skilled photographer, takes official photos of her children. This year, the birthday portrait of George was no different, offering a glimpse of the prince’s growing maturity and charisma. The family plans to continue this tradition, maintaining a sense of normalcy amid their royal duties.
Off the public eye, the family is expected to retreat to their countryside home for the summer. If Kate’s health permits, they might even visit Mustique, her favorite getaway spot. These plans reflect the family’s blend of royalty and normalcy, a balance they have worked hard to maintain over the years. Princess Kate, currently on a break from public engagements due to her cancer treatment, is determined to keep things as normal as possible for George, Charlotte, and Louis.
With each passing year, George not only grows older but steps further into his future role in the monarchy. The forthcoming year promises more milestones and adjustments, not just in terms of royal protocol, but also in the growing responsibilities that come with being the future King of England. As Kate Middleton aptly summed up her sentiment in her birthday message for her son, “Wishing Prince George a very happy 11th birthday today!”