Prince George celebrated his 12th birthday on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, with the release of a charming new photograph by his parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales. The image, captured earlier this year by royal photographer Josh Shinner at their country home in Norfolk, shows the young prince smiling warmly as he leans on a wooden fence, arms crossed and dressed in a fleece vest over a white shirt. This portrait continues a beloved tradition of marking the royal children’s milestones with intimate, candid snapshots shared with the public.
The official Royal Family account on X reposted the photo with the caption, “Wishing a very happy birthday to Prince George! 🎈🎊,” while William and Kate’s own social media pages echoed the sentiment, posting, “Happy 12th Birthday to Prince George! 🎂.” Fans quickly flooded the comments with warm wishes and observations, many noting how much George resembles his father, Prince William. One admirer wrote, “He is his father's clone!” while another remarked, “What a fine young man he's become - handsome, poised, and full of quiet confidence.”
Born Prince George Alexander Louis at 4:24 p.m. on July 22, 2013, in the private Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London, George weighed 8 pounds 6 ounces. He made his first public appearance the following day, wrapped in a white merino wool shawl and cradled in the arms of his mother, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. His early years were spent partly in Anglesey, Wales, where Prince William was stationed at an RAF base, before the family moved to Kensington Palace in London.
Prince George’s childhood has been carefully balanced between royal duties and attempts to provide as normal a life as possible. The family relocated to Anmer Hall in Norfolk in 2015 after the birth of Princess Charlotte, George’s younger sister, and since 2022, George and his siblings have attended Lambrook School in Berkshire. George is currently in his final year there before moving on to secondary school, with speculation ongoing about whether he will follow his father’s footsteps to Eton College.
This past year has been a significant one for George, marked by several high-profile public appearances that illustrate his growing role within the royal family. His first public outing of 2025 was a private father-son trip to Paris on April 9, where he attended a UEFA Champions League match with Prince William, bonding over their shared love of football. The young prince then participated in the VE Day military ceremonies at Buckingham Palace on May 5, joining the family procession, appearing on the palace balcony to watch the RAF flypast, and attending a special tea party for World War II veterans, where he listened to their firsthand stories.
June saw George in the spotlight again at King Charles III’s official birthday celebrations, the Trooping the Colour parade, where he was photographed riding in a royal carriage and later appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony alongside his family. These appearances underscore his gradual introduction to royal duties in a familiar, supportive environment.
Most recently, on July 13, George joined his parents and sister Princess Charlotte in the Royal Box at Wimbledon to watch the men’s singles final between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, where Sinner claimed victory in four sets. The young prince even had the chance to meet Sinner, who signed tennis balls for George and Charlotte, highlighting the blend of tradition and personal moments that define his public life.
Despite his royal status, George’s parents have prioritized giving him experiences that many children his age enjoy. He has been seen attending Aston Villa football matches with his father and even sporting a friendship bracelet, believed to be a memento from a Taylor Swift concert in London. These glimpses into his life show a balance between the expectations of royalty and the joys of childhood.
The year has also been one of hope and resilience for the family, as Kate Middleton announced in September 2024 that she had completed chemotherapy for cancer. By January 2025, she revealed she was officially in remission, a journey that the family has navigated with strength and privacy.
As Prince George looks ahead to a pivotal year—completing his education at Lambrook and preparing for secondary school—he continues to grow into his role as the future king and a key member of the Firm. His parents’ efforts to shield him from excessive public scrutiny while gently guiding him through royal responsibilities are evident in the way they share these personal moments with the world.
From his early days as a page boy at royal weddings to his recent appearances at major events, Prince George’s journey has been closely watched and warmly embraced by millions. The new photo released for his 12th birthday encapsulates this blend of youthful innocence and emerging royal stature, offering a hopeful glimpse of the young prince poised to one day lead the British monarchy.
