Prince George has officially become a teenager, celebrating his 13th birthday with a new official portrait released by his parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales. The image, captured by photographer Matt Porteous at Kensington Palace, shows the young royal in a suit following Trooping the Colour last month.
This milestone marks a significant new chapter for Prince George, who is set to begin his senior school experience as a boarder at Eton College in September. He will follow in the footsteps of his father, Prince William, who also attended Eton. This transition means George will be attending school without his younger siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, for the first time since 2019.
William and Catherine continue to guide their eldest son toward public life, with George undertaking an increasing number of official engagements annually. His last public appearance was at Wimbledon with his family earlier this month, and he is not expected to be seen publicly again until the autumn term begins.
Fans and royal watchers have noted Prince George's rapid growth, with many commenting on how grown up he appeared in the new birthday photograph. His height has been a frequent topic of discussion, with observations that he is already standing nearly as tall as his mother, who is 5 feet 9 inches.
Royal expert Robert Jobson commented that Prince George's experience at Eton will differ from his father's due to a more stable home environment. Jobson highlighted George's academic interests, particularly in history, and his participation in sports such as football and hockey. He also noted George's resilience, having witnessed his mother's cancer battle and his grandfather's ongoing health issues.
The portrait was released shortly after George and his sister Princess Charlotte attended the Wimbledon men's finals, where they were seen using handheld fans to cope with the warm weather. This public outing provided a glimpse of George's poise and confidence as he prepares for his teenage years and future royal duties.