Prince George, second in line to the British throne, celebrated his 11th birthday on July 22, 2024, with the release of a new black and white portrait taken by his mother, Catherine, Princess of Wales. The photo, shared on Kensington Palace’s official social media channels, shows the young prince looking notably mature and dapper in a suit, smiling at the camera.The image has garnered widespread attention, with royal fans and experts commenting on George’s growing resemblance to his father, Prince William. Many have noted the prince’s increasing maturity, with some jokingly suggesting it’s time to “lock up your daughters”.This birthday comes during a challenging time for the royal family. Both King Charles and Princess Kate have been undergoing cancer treatment. Despite these difficulties, the family has maintained traditions, with Kate continuing to take her children’s birthday photos, a practice she began in 2015.Royal expert Michael Begasse commented on the emotional journey Prince George has experienced in recent years, from the excitement of Queen Elizabeth II’s 70th jubilee to the sadness of her passing, and now facing his mother’s illness. “George is now an 11-year-old who has experienced a lot and learned a lot, but is still a young man,” Begasse noted.Despite the challenges, George has been increasingly in the public eye, attending events like the Euro 2024 final and a Taylor Swift concert with his father, Prince William. He is also preparing to start secondary school in September, marking another significant milestone in his young life.The birthday portrait has sparked some controversy, with several news agencies initially withdrawing the photo due to suspicions of manipulation. Princess Kate later apologized, saying she had experimented with image editing. Despite this, the photo has been widely shared and appreciated, with many seeing it as a sign of the family’s resilience in the face of recent challenges.
Key points
- Prince George celebrated his 11th birthday with a new portrait taken by his mother, Princess Kate.
- The royal family maintains traditions despite facing health challenges, including cancer treatments for King Charles and Princess Kate.
- Prince George is preparing to start secondary school in September, marking another milestone in his young life.
