Prince George, heir to the British throne, has celebrated his 13th birthday with a new video and an official portrait released by his parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The video, an 18-second clip shared on social media, captures the young royal enjoying various activities, including climbing rocks, playing cricket, and frolicking on the beach with his younger brother, Prince Louis. The footage, taken during the family's Easter holiday in Cornwall, also shows Prince George interacting with one of the family dogs and wearing sunglasses similar to those he sported at Wimbledon. The accompanying message from William and Kate read: "Thank you for all the birthday wishes for George today!"
Earlier, a new photograph of Prince George was released to mark his transition into his teenage years. The image, taken by photographer Matt Porteous at Kensington Palace, shows the future king wearing a suit. This portrait was issued with the message "Happy 13th birthday, George!"
Prince George's birthday marks a significant new stage, as he is set to begin his senior school experience in September as a boarder at Eton College. He will follow in the footsteps of his father, Prince William, who also attended the prestigious school. This move will be the first time Prince George has attended a school without his siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, since 2019.
The Prince and Princess of Wales continue to guide their eldest son's path toward public life, with Prince George undertaking an increasing number of official engagements annually. His last public appearance was at the Wimbledon finals with his family earlier this month. He is not expected to be seen in public again until he starts at Eton in the autumn.
Prince George has concluded his time at Lambrook School, a preparatory school in Berkshire, where he occasionally boarded. His transition to Eton, a boys-only institution with fees exceeding £65,000 per year, signifies a new academic chapter. He is the eldest of the Wales children, with Princess Charlotte aged 11 and Prince Louis aged eight.
Royal observers and fans have noted Prince George's rapid growth and maturity in recent public appearances. Following his appearance at Trooping the Colour, many commented on how grown up he looked. His height has also drawn attention, with some noting he is already close to his mother's height of 5 feet 9 inches and is expected to surpass it.
Royal expert Robert Jobson commented that Prince George's experience at Eton will differ from his father's due to his more settled home life. He noted that the Prince and Princess of Wales have provided significant support for their son's transition. Jobson also highlighted Prince George's academic interests, particularly in history, and his participation in sports such as football and hockey. He also acknowledged that the young prince has faced personal challenges, including witnessing his mother's and grandfather's health issues, which have contributed to his resilience.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte were also observed at Wimbledon, where they garnered attention for seeking out sunhats amid rising temperatures. Images from the event showed Prince George using a handheld fan to stay cool. The siblings were seen laughing and chatting during the men's final, while Prince Louis was absent from this particular outing.