Friday 22 July 2016

Prince George at three: the photo album


Prince George of Cambridge in one of the millions of photos taken of him in his three years

Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge is three today and while we wait for official photos, there are still plenty of snaps of the boy who will be king to keep everyone entertained on his big birthday. George, born on July 22nd 2013 at the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, became one of the most photographed people in the world within twenty four hours of his birth as his parents showed him off to the press and just about everyone everywhere succumbed to royal baby mania. As George celebrates his third birthday, here's a look back at some of his most famous photos yet.





Baby Cambridge made his first appearance on July 23rd 2013 in the arms of his mother on the steps of the hospital where he was born, It was a hot evening and the little boy, whose name we didn't yet know, slept through his first photocall as all good royal babies should.





The first official photos were released weeks later and showed Prince George of Cambridge with his parents and the family pet dog, Lupo, in the gardens of the home of his maternal grandparents. Michael Middleton took these portraits for the history books and George was still fast asleep.




Three months later and the future king starred in one of the most famous royal photos of recent times. taken by Jason Bell, George was snapped with the Duke of Cambridge, the Prince of Wales and the Queen - Elizabeth II surrounded by the successors who will guarantee her dynasty rules well into the 22nd century. It was the first four generations of rulers photo in over 100 years and only the second time such an image was even possible. Truly historic.



Now we are one. The first birthday of a future king is clearly a big deal and George starred in some classy, classic images to mark the occasion. Chasing butterflies with your mum and dad is about as idyllic a childhood as you can get and these photos reminded us that beneath the royal title and the dynastic role waiting in the future is a little boy at the heart of a happy home.




Christmas 2014 brought a present for George fans with a set of new photos of a very cheeky looking prince in a very cute jumper which turned into an instant hit. The third in line to the throne seemed to have a fabulous time posing for these images which are perhaps the most relaxed official photos of George to date.





George welcomed a baby sister in 2015 and after sending photographers into a frenzy when he appeared outside St Mary's Hospital to visit her he then all but stole the show in the first set of official images of Princess Charlotte. The pictures were taken by his mum, the Duchess of Cambridge, and they have a huge 'aah' factor.





Prince George got a big day out just weeks after the birth of his sister as his parents took him onto the balcony of Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Colour for the first time. In his dad's arms and with all the enthusiasm of an almost two year old, George had a great time as he got his first taste of a regular royal appointment.


Charlotte's christening in July 2015 was as much about her big brother as George charmed his way through the walk to and from church and then did it all again in the official photos, taken by Mario Testino. The portraits mark another milestone in the life of the Cambridge family.




The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chose one of the Testino portraits as an official birthday image for George's second big day. The snap of him with his dad, the Duke of Cambridge, cheekily lunging at the camera seemed to sum George up perfectly.




Christmas 2015 brought an autumnal image of George and Charlotte with William and Kate. The family of four was captured in the park with the little prince looking like he was ready to make a break for it and everyone else looking like they were waiting for that very moment. 




The Cambridges released a set of snowy snaps to mark their son and daughter's first wintry holiday and while Charlotte was pretty in pink, her big brother looked ski ready as he stood alongside his family for these official portraits.




As his 'Gan-Gan' turned 90 this year, there were plenty of chances to see George in official portrait mode. This image of him taken for a set of stamps is filled with happiness.





The now world famous photo taken by Annie Liebovitz of the Queen with all her great grandchildren and two youngest grandchildren featured George in more serious mode. The portrait is already a classic.





It might not be an official portrait but it's still about as famous a photo of George ever taken. This prince will meet several US Presidents but his first was Barack Obama who shook hands with George when he popped into Kensington Palace for dinner on his visit to the UK in 2016. George in his dressing gown became an instant hit.



George took to the balcony of Buckingham Palace once more in June 2016 for his second Trooping the Colour. One day that balcony will be his to rule and he made his mark felt in the photos of the day this time round. George at three, a superstar in the making.

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