Prince George beams in 12th birthday photo shared by William and Kate

Kensington Palace has celebrated Prince George’s 12th birthday with the release of a portrait of the young royal alongside a video of him playing with his younger siblings.

The eldest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales, and second in line for the throne, was photographed smiling as he leaned with his arms crossed against a wooden gate in a pale checked shirt beneath a brown fleece vest.

Kensington Palace released a portrait and a video clip to celebrate Prince George’s 12th birthday.Credit: Josh Shinner/@KensingtonRoyal

The photograph was posted on X from Prince William and Princess Catherine’s social media account, with the caption “Happy 12th Birthday to Prince George!” alongside a cake emoji.

The account of the future king and queen also published a video montage of George with Princess Charlotte, 10, and younger brother Louis, 7, in which the trio held hands, and in one scene the older siblings carried the youngest.

The children are featured regularly in family photos on their parents’ social media accounts, including George and Charlotte recently attending the Wimbledon finals this month, and an appearance at VE Day celebrations in May, when Louis was caught on camera behaving mischievously.

Charlotte and Louis were featured in their own birthday portraits in May and April, respectively.

Prince George’s milestone follows public speculation about whether he will be sent to the prestigious Eton school, where his father was educated, upon his 13th birthday.

Ahead of celebrating his 43rd birthday last month, Prince William, who is outspoken on climate issues, said he wanted to “bring about real change” in the world.

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