Prince George ’s years spent perfecting his cheeky grin are paying off as this photo released for his ninth birthday proves.
Taken by proud mum Kate during a family break in the UK earlier this month, the smiley snap encapsulates the future king’s inherent sense of fun.
The Duchess of Cambridge, 40, is carrying on the tradition of releasing her own pictures to celebrate the birthdays of her three children.
George has led the way in public engagements in recent months, appearing alongside his siblings at the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations and with his parents to the Wimbledon men’s final.
Last year, the birthday boy was photographed posing in a striped polo on top of a Land Rover Defender, in a touching tribute to his late great-grandfather, Prince Philip.
And for his seventh birthday in 2020 the young prince looked ready for action, donning a camouflage T-shirt during a family stay at the Queen’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
To celebrate his sixth birthday he showed he's a little royal Lionheart as he flashed a gap-toothed grin in an England football shirt.
On his fifth birthday George showed a solid foundation in royal protocol - posing against a wall, and for his fourth birthday the little lad showed his trademark grin in a checked shirt in the year he started school.
For his third birthday shot, George wore a Pepa & Co jumper on a leisurely stroll in Norfolk.
For his second birthday he donned a Coltstream Guards tank top, while the first of Kate's snaps showed him toddling around the Natural History Museum in dungarees.
When he appeared at Wimbledon this month, George looked every inch the smart royal.
His parents the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made sure his outfit complied with royal box rules that state men should wear a tie and a jacket - despite the sweltering temperatures on Centre Court.
This led to some to call for George to have been allowed to wear a cooler outfit given the stifling heat.
But it's not the first time that the eight-year-old has worn a suit to a major sporting event.
Last year, when watching England's games against Germany and Italy in Euro 2020, George donned a suit while he sat in the royal box at Wembley.
And that time too, fans asked why he wasn't allowed to wear an England shirt like other youngsters of his age.
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But according to royal author Duncan Larcombe, it was Kate who insisted on the suit - and for a very good reason.
He told OK! : "William was apparently keen on the idea [of wearing a football shirt], but it was Kate, the former commoner, who said no. She was showing George that being ’on duty’ requires a different approach… he has to learn to don the royal armour.
“That doesn’t mean hiding his personality or feelings though – so George was encouraged to leap up and celebrate England scoring, to roar and wave and hug his mum and dad like any normal lad. And even to shed a tear when it all ended in heartbreak.
“George is only just beginning to understand his destiny, but Kate has got the journey planned.”
