Happy Birthday Prince George! Stunning new images taken by Kate Middleton are released

With his gap-toothed grin and cheeky expression, it is clear that Prince George is growing up fast.

Two pictures of the future king have been released by Kensington Palace to mark his seventh birthday tomorrow.

Gone are his chubby cheeks and the frilled Peter Pan-collar shirts that his mother, the Duchess of Cambridge, so loved to dress him in as a toddler and beyond.

Instead we see a little boy, tousled blond hair swept aside and grinning, wearing a camouflage green T-shirt.

An appropriate choice given he will one day inherit his great-grandmother’s mantle as Head of the Armed Forces. George is already said to be obsessed with helicopters like his father.

In another picture he is wearing a favourite olive green polo shirt and shorts.

The pictures were taken by his mother Kate at the family’s Norfolk home, Anmer Hall, where George and his siblings, Princess Charlotte, five, and two-year-old Prince Louis, have spent lockdown.

Kate and Prince William are planning a party for George at home tomorrow. 

Prince George, who is celebrating his seventh birthday tomorrow, showcases a toothy grin and windswept blonde locks in his new birthday photographs, which were snapped by Kate Middleton, 38, at Anmer Hall earlier this month  

Young George looks eerily like his uncle James, whom he adores, although hasn’t been able to see much this year due to lockdown.

And like James, 33, he is a sporty, outdoors type (his grandfather, Prince Charles, is particularly proud that his eldest grandson has inherited his love of the countryside). 

The lockdown period has been bliss for George and his younger siblings, Princess Charlotte, five, and two-year-old Prince Louis, as they have been able to spent so much time outside in the fresh air at the family’s Norfolk home, Anmer Hall.

That’s where the pictures were taken earlier this month by his doting mother, Kate, a keen amateur photographer who always seems to get the best out of her children.

She and her husband, Prince William, have been doing their best to home school the three youngsters, although they admit its been tough at times.

In another image, the heir-to-the-throne can be seen beaming at his mother the Duchess of Cambridge behind the camera as she snaps a shot

In another image, the heir-to-the-throne can be seen beaming at his mother the Duchess of Cambridge behind the camera as she snaps a shot 

George, apparently has been very jealous of Charlotte’s homework from their school, Thomas’s Battersea, which is much more fun and less challenging than his.

‘George gets very upset because he wants to do Charlotte’s projects,’ Kate recently disclosed. ‘Because making things like spider sandwiches is far cooler than doing literacy work!’ 

Kate and William have done their best to shelter George from the future that awaits him, gently introducing him to the idea that his might be slightly more mapped out than his classmates.

‘It’s a delicate balance but they want to protect him as much as they can,’ said a friend. ‘As a result he’s turning out to be a really happy, well-adjusted little boy.’  

A Kensington Palace spokesman said: ‘The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to share two new photographs of Prince George ahead of his seventh birthday tomorrow.

Prince George bears remarkably resemblance to Kate's brother James Middleton, 33, who also sported short fair locks and large brown eyes as a youngster (pictured, as a child)

Prince George bears remarkably resemblance to Kate’s brother James Middleton, 33, who also sported short fair locks and large brown eyes as a youngster (pictured, as a child) 

‘The photographs were taken earlier this month by The Duchess.’

Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge was born in the private Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, at 4.24pm on July 22 2013, weighing 8lb 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.

A great-grandchild to the Queen, he will be the 43rd monarch since William the Conqueror obtained the crown of England if, as expected, he follows the reigns of his grandfather, the Prince of Wales, and then his father, William.

In public George can sometimes come across as a serious little boy, who has already developed a clear wariness of the cameras that are part and parcel of his royal life.

But friends say that while he is definitely more cautious and sensitive in nature than his younger sister, Princess Charlotte, five, the little prince is actually a bundle of fun.

Pictured, Prince William when he was George's age, with brother Harry and mother Diana

Pictured, Kate Middleton when she was George's age

Pictured, left, Prince William when he was George’s age, with brother Harry and mother Diana. Right, Kate Middleton when she was a child

Prince George’s godmother Julia Samuels recently revealed that she buys the ‘feisty and cheeky’ royal ‘impossible’ noisy toys which take Prince William ‘days to put together’ in a running joke inspired by Princess Diana.

The psychotherapist, 60, London, became close to Lady Diana after meeting her at a dinner party in 1987, and is godmother to Prince George, who turns seven this month.

Speaking on the How to Fail with Elizabeth Day podcast, she revealed: ‘He is amazing. He’s funny and feisty and cheeky and God she [Diana] would have loved him so much. That is heartbreaking for all of them.’

She added that she follows in the footsteps of the Princess, who was godmother to her own son, revealing: ‘So I do to George what she did to us which is give impossible toys which are really noisy, take a lot of making.’ 

Apparently he has settled down well at Thomas’s Battersea, where he was joined by Charlotte in September last year.

However for the last few months during the coronavirus pandemic, the Duke, 38, and the Duchess of Cambridge, 38, have been home-schooling Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis at their Norfolk home of Anmer Hall. 

William and Kate were familiar figures at the school gate before the pandemic and threw themselves into school life, helping out at coffee mornings and cheering their son on from the sidelines at sports day.

The couple were deeply touched by the sensitive way in which the school staff have handled his arrival, particularly with the other children and parents.

In April, the entire family helped out with a local initiative started by the monarch’s staff, who have been preparing and delivering meals for pensioners and the vulnerable in the area during the lockdown.

This time the Cambridges, all keen cooks, rustled up some home-made pasta which they separated into 12 large bags and tied up with raffia to add to the food parcels. Sources said all the children – even little Louis, two – were involved.

The following day, the family then helped to load bags of fresh produce into a van from the Sandringham Visitors’ Centre ready for delivery.

Sources say William, Kate, Charlotte and George spent two and a half hours driving around the area delivering food to those in need. 

Happy birthday, George! Celebrating the prince’s first seven years with glorious photos

When George was born, Kate Middleton followed in Princess Diana's footsteps and stood on the steps of the Lindo Wing of St Mary hospital for the first time - which she has continued to do for the birth of all her children. Pictured, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with newborn Prince George on 23 July 2013

When George was born, Kate Middleton followed in Princess Diana’s footsteps and stood on the steps of the Lindo Wing of St Mary hospital for the first time – which she has continued to do for the birth of all her children. Pictured, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with newborn Prince George on 23 July 2013

Donning striped dungarees, was pictured walking across stones in a photograph released for his first birthday in 2014

His royal cuteness! One-year-old Prince George was all smiles as he played with a toy at Wellington House, in New Zealand during a play group at Government House on April 9, 2014

Striped delight! Prince George photographed walking about in official pictures released back in 2014 to mark the young royal’s first birthday (left). He is pictured a few months earlier at a play group at Government House, New Zealand

Prince George - the eldest son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge - donned a baby blue ensemble as he was pictured in his father Prince William's arms during his second Trooping the Colour, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, on 13 June 2015

Prince George – the eldest son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – donned a baby blue ensemble as he was pictured in his father Prince William’s arms during his second Trooping the Colour, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, on 13 June 2015

King of the hill! Prince George, aged two, photographed taking a tumble at the Gigaset Charity Polo Match at the Beaufort Polo Club on June 14, 2015

King of the hill! Prince George, aged two, photographed taking a tumble at the Gigaset Charity Polo Match at the Beaufort Polo Club on June 14, 2015

Cautious mother Kate would make sure to cover her son's ears with noise canceling headphones to protect his hearing when out in a particularly loud environment. Pictured, Price George on his first birthday

Cautious mother Kate would make sure to cover her son’s ears with noise canceling headphones to protect his hearing when out in a particularly loud environment. Pictured, Price George on his first birthday

During the Canada Tour of 2016, George, then three, enjoyed some downtime and was pictured smiling as he played with some bubbles at a children's tea party at Government House in Victoria on September 29, 2016

During the Canada Tour of 2016, George, then three, enjoyed some downtime and was pictured smiling as he played with some bubbles at a children’s tea party at Government House in Victoria on September 29, 2016

A royal wave! George has grown to be more serious in front of the press but in 2016, aged three, he graced the media with a cute wave. Pictured, leaving from Victoria Harbour to board a sea-plane on the final day of their Royal Tour of Canada on October 1, 2016

A royal wave! George has grown to be more serious in front of the press but in 2016, aged three, he graced the media with a cute wave. Pictured, leaving from Victoria Harbour to board a sea-plane on the final day of their Royal Tour of Canada on October 1, 2016

Merry Christmas! George held onto his father's hand on Christmas morning 2016, while his sister Charlotte, then one and half, was carried in her mother's arms. Pictured at Englefield on December 25, 2016

Merry Christmas! George held onto his father’s hand on Christmas morning 2016, while his sister Charlotte, then one and half, was carried in her mother’s arms. Pictured at Englefield on December 25, 2016

Run, George, run! As an active young boy, the prince is often photographed playing around and running just like he did at  the Maserati Royal Charity Polo Trophy at Beaufort Park on June 10, 2018 (pictured)

Run, George, run! As an active young boy, the prince is often photographed playing around and running just like he did at  the Maserati Royal Charity Polo Trophy at Beaufort Park on June 10, 2018 (pictured) 

Prince George and Charlotte could be seen holding their father's hand at Prince Louis' christening on July 9, 2018

All smiles! Prince George also showed off his gap-toothed grin in his official portrait for his fifth birthday

The Cambridge’s oldest children George and Charlotte were on their best behaviour when attending the christening of their younger brother Prince Louis, at the Chapel Royal of St James’s Palace on 9 July 2018 (left)

George put on a serious display when he attended the wedding of Princess Eugenie to Jack Brooksbank at St George's Chapel on October 12, 2018 in Windsor

George put on a serious display when he attended the wedding of Princess Eugenie to Jack Brooksbank at St George’s Chapel on October 12, 2018 in Windsor

George the joker! The young Prince was pictured playing tricks behind Mia Grace Tindall at St George Chapel, in Windsor, on the day of Princess Eugenie's wedding on October 12 2018

George the joker! The young Prince was pictured playing tricks behind Mia Grace Tindall at St George Chapel, in Windsor, on the day of Princess Eugenie’s wedding on October 12 2018 

Cheeky page boy! The birthday boy couldn't contain his excitement during Princess Eugenie's wedding in Windsor on 12 October 2018 - and was pictured with his hand over his mouth in shock

Cheeky page boy! The birthday boy couldn’t contain his excitement during Princess Eugenie’s wedding in Windsor on 12 October 2018 – and was pictured with his hand over his mouth in shock

In the official Christmas card from the Cambridge family for Christmas 2018, George showed off his playful side next to a more demure Charlotte and a happy baby Louis

In the official Christmas card from the Cambridge family for Christmas 2018, George showed off his playful side next to a more demure Charlotte and a happy baby Louis 

Prince George helped his father William with the fire at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London on 19 May 2019

Six year old George dips his toes in the water with sister Charlotte, four, ahead of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London, while Prince William plays with youngest son Louis in the background

Fire hazard! Prince George helped his father mind a fire in the Adam White and Andree Davies co-designed garden ahead of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London on 19 May 2019 (left), before being joined by his sister, Princess Charlotte, four (right)

Prince George and Princess Charlotte, four, playing together as they attended the King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham

Prince George and Princess Charlotte, four, playing together as they attended the King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham

Hanging out in the boot of the car: George and Charlotte were spotted playing together all day

Later on, the siblings engaged in a game of football, while Prince Louis run around in the background

Prince George was captured playing with his two siblings Princess Charlotte and brother Louis during the King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at the Billingbear Polo Club in Wokingham on July 10 2019

Prince George and Princess Charlotte at Kensington Palace shortly before they left for Thomas's Battersea for her first day at the school in September 2019

Prince George and Princess Charlotte at Kensington Palace shortly before they left for Thomas’s Battersea for her first day at the school in September 2019 

Prince George has joined his family members for NHS Clap for Carers during the coronavirus lockdown from their home of Anmer Hall (pictured, with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in March 2020)

Prince George has joined his family members for NHS Clap for Carers during the coronavirus lockdown from their home of Anmer Hall (pictured, with his siblings and Prince William, Kate Middleton in April 2020

Prince George has joined his family members for NHS Clap for Carers during the coronavirus lockdown from their home of Anmer Hall (pictured left, with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in March 2020, and right, with his siblings and Prince William, Kate Middleton in April 2020)

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