Prince George Celebrates 13th Birthday With New Portrait and Video Montage

Prince George reached a significant milestone today, July 22, 2026, as he celebrated his 13th birthday. To commemorate the occasion, the Prince and Princess of Wales released a formal portrait of their eldest son, captured by photographer Matt Porteous. The image, taken at Kensington Palace shortly after the Trooping the Colour ceremony in June, shows the prince wearing an open-necked white shirt and a dark suit, his hands tucked into his pockets. The palace shared the photo on social media with the caption, Happy 13th birthday, George! accompanied by a party popper emoji.

In addition to the formal portrait, the royal household released an 18-second video montage later in the day. The footage offers a more relaxed glimpse into the life of the future king, showing him playing cricket on a beach, petting the family’s cocker spaniels, Orla and Otto, and clambering over rocks with his younger brother, Prince Louis. The video also features George wearing orange-framed sunglasses, an accessory he was seen sporting at Wimbledon earlier this month.

Transition to Eton College and the Boarding Experience

As George enters his teenage years, his education is set for a major shift. Having concluded his time at Lambrook School in Berkshire on July 4, he is scheduled to begin boarding at Eton College in early September. The move follows a family tradition; his father, Prince William, also attended the prestigious institution, which currently costs $85,000 per year.

Public Reaction and Family Resemblance Debates

The release of the new imagery sparked immediate discussion among royal enthusiasts regarding the prince’s physical likeness to his relatives. On social media platforms, many observers pointed to a resemblance between George and his great-uncle, Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, the brother of the late Princess Diana. One admirer noted, There’s no doubt that Prince George is a Spencer. What do you think? Does he look like his great-uncle Charles or not?

However, the consensus was far from uniform. While some agreed that George showed clear Spencer traits, others argued that he bears a stronger resemblance to the Windsor side of the family. Several commenters suggested he looks like his great-great-grandfather, King George VI, with one person stating, No way – he is 100% a Windsor. Looks like King George VI, a view echoed by others who highlighted the similarity in their eyes.

Public Role and Growing Visibility

The birthday marks a turning point not just in education, but in George’s increasing public profile. Throughout the past year, the prince has been gradually introduced to more formal duties.

His recent schedule has included a joint engagement with the Princess of Wales at RAF Coningsby to mark Armed Forces Day, as well as appearances at the Festival of Remembrance and the annual carol service at Westminster Abbey. As he steps into his teenage years, the balance between his public destiny and a private childhood remains a key focus for the Prince and Princess of Wales.