Prince George through the ages as the future king turns 11
From the time he started school gripping his father’s hand to a cheeky moment on Buckingham Palace’s balcony, Prince George is already one of the world’s most recognisable children.
The future king, who turns 11 today, has met dignitaries and politicians, while also welcoming two new siblings into his family.
As second-in-line to the throne, he has already made a number of public appearances in his short life, and his cheeky grin has been seen across the world.
To mark his birthday, Kensington Palace has released a new photo of the young prince on social media, writing alongside the image: ‘Wishing Prince George a very happy 11th birthday today’.
A great-grandchild to the late Queen Elizabeth and grandson to King Charles III,Metro.co.uk has put together a collection of Prince George’s most adorable moments on his special day.
George’s first birthday, July 2014
Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge was born at the private maternity unit of St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, the Lindo Wing, at 4.24pm on July 22, 2013, weighing 8lbs 6oz.
He made his public debut in front of the world’s media on the hospital steps one day later, wrapped in a white merino wool shawl, cradled in his proud parents’ arms.
And one year later, to celebrate his first birthday, this photo was taken of the young prince enjoying the Sensational Butterflies exhibition at the Natural History Museum.
Touring Australia in 2014
In 2014, the young prince went on a three-week tour of Australia and New Zealand with his parents.
They visited Taronga Zoo in Sydney where they opened a Bilby enclosure and unveiled a plaque.
It was George’s first royal tour and at the zoo met a bilby called George, who was named after him.
Princess Charlotte’s Christening, 2015
George’s next big public appearance was at the birth of his younger sister Charlotte on May 2, 2015.
He arrived with his dad, both wearing matching jumpers, at the Lido Wing to meet his new sibling.
Sometimes appearing a little shy and reluctant in front of the cameras, the youngster is slowly getting to grips with life in the limelight.
Not long after, George stole the show at Princess Charlotte’s christening in 2015, as he was spotted wearing bright red shorts and catching a sneaky glimpse of his sister in her pram.
Charlotte was christened at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, in July of that year.
His snazzy shorts were similar to the ones his own dad, Prince William, wore at Prince Harry’s christening in 1984.
A great-grandchild to the Queen, he will be the 43rd monarch since William the Conqueror obtained the crown of England if, as expected, his reign follows those of the Prince of Wales, then William.
First public engagement at the Royal International Air Tattoo, 2016
George accompanied his parents on a day out at the Royal International Air Tattoo in Gloucestershire in July 2016.
Wearing a white polo shirt, navy city shorts and navy Start Rite shoes, he donned a pair of bright blue ear defenders and was shown around the helicopters and aircraft on display – and also took charge of a squirrel helicopter.
Meeting Barack Obama in his pyjamas, 2016
At just two-years-old, the prince had already met some pretty important people.
But he turned heads when he met Barack Obama at Kensington Palace in 2016.
And why? Because he was captured shaking hands with the US President, and playing on his rocking horse, dressed in his pyjamas.
Well, he did have to stay up late to meet him.
His first day at school in September 2017
George started his first day at school with his father, but without his mother as she was experiencing severe morning sickness as she was pregnant with Prince Louis.
The pair turned up at Thomas’s Battersea in south London with the young prince looking glum as he gripped his father’s hand.
Smartly dressed in school uniform, George was helped out of the car by William after being driven through the gates of the fee-paying independent school in south London.
The former Duke of Cambridge said later: ‘It went well. There was one other parent who had more of an issue with their children – so I was quite pleased I wasn’t the one.’
Making Christmas pudding, 2019
Ahead of Christmas Day 2019, Buckingham Palace released photos of four generations of royals preparing Christmas pudding.
The late Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles (the Prince of Wales), Prince William and Prince George all got involved in the activity, as part of a initiative to support the Royal British Legion.
In a hilarious video that later went viral, a young Prince George is shown vigorously stirring the pudding mixture as the late Queen moves away from the table, looking vaguely alarmed at her grandson’s forcefulness.
The Platinum Jubilee, 2022
Prince George was all smiles throughout the Platinum Jubilee weekend, which celebrated 70 years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.
His younger brother, then four-year-old Prince Louis, wasn’t quite so well behaved however, and his cheeky antics at the Platinum Jubilee Pageant drew the attention of royal fans.
And it seems Prince George noticed his brother’s fidgeting too, as one clip from the day shows the then 9-year-old Prince burying his head in his hands while young Prince Louis throws up his hands in a peace sign.
The King’s Coronation, 2023
Prince George played an important role in his grandfather’s coronation last year, as one of four page boys during the ceremony.
He became the youngest future king to play an official role in a coronation, helping to carry his grandfather’s cape in and out of Westminster Abbey.
It gave the young Prince a glimpse into his own future as second-in-line to the throne, and a Kensington Palace spokesperson tole PEOPLE at the time: ‘His parents are very excited and delighted that he is a page. It’s something that his parents have thought long and hard about and are very much looking forward to – and I’m sure George is, too.’
Wearing a red coat and black dress pants paired with white gloves, Prince George executed his role perfectly, alongside Lord Oliver Cholmondeley, Nicholas Barclay and Ralph Tollemache.
At the Euros with Prince William, 2024
More recently, Prince George made an appearance in Germany, accompanying his father Prince William to the UEFA European Championship final.
The father and son were spotted at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, where they watched the England men’s football team suffer at heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Spain.
Visibly on the edge of their seats, they both appeared to be in a state of shock after Spain scored their second goal in the 86th minute.
It’s not the first time Prince George has attended a football match with his father, as earlier this year the pair were spotted in the Villa Park stands in Birmingham, where they supported Aston Villa’s 2-1 win against Lille.
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