A Royal Year of Change: Prince George Celebrates Turning 12
By Posha Aloyo
Hold onto your tiaras. Prince George is officially 12.
The future king of England marked his birthday on 22 July with a new portrait, a sweet family video, and a flurry of royal buzz that proves he is growing up fast and growing into his royal role even faster.
Born in 2013 at Saint Mary’s Hospital in London, George Alexander Louis made headlines from the moment he arrived, all 8 pounds 6 ounces of royal baby.
He waved at the world outside the Lindo Wing with mum and dad, Prince William and Princess Catherine, starting a life of royal duty, cameras, and carefully planned milestones.
Fast-forward to 2025, and the young prince is not just a kid anymore.
At 12, he is stepping into a whole new chapter, and there are rules now. Serious ones.
He can no longer travel on the same plane as his father, thanks to royal protocol that protects the line of succession.
Translation: solo flights for the little prince are now a thing.
To mark the big day, Kensington Palace released a fresh photo snapped by Josh Shinner.
The setting is Norfolk countryside. The vibe is country cool. George leans against a fence in a checkered shirt, olive fleece vest, and a blue friendship bracelet.
These are subtle style nods that fans say make him look just like his dad.
X, naturally, went into royal meltdown.
“He is his father’s clone!” wrote one user.
“Handsome, poised, quiet confidence,” gushed another.
But the real heart-melter came hours later when Kensington Palace dropped a behind-the-scenes video of George goofing around with siblings Charlotte (10) and Louis (7).
The trio laugh, hold hands, and even lift Louis into the air like he is flying. Royal sibling goals, honestly.
The past year has been full of blink-and-you-miss-it milestones.
George made a splash at Trooping the Colour, turned heads at Wimbledon, joined in on Victory in Europe Day tea at Buckingham Palace, and even sat pitch-side at a Champions League match.
His royal calendar is getting busier, but somehow he still manages to look like any other 12-year-old, just with better shoes.
He is also fresh off a historic moment: serving as Page of Honour at King Charles the Third’s coronation in 2023.
No pressure, just being the youngest future king to hold the role in living memory.
And yes, school is about to change too. While William went to Eton, Catherine reportedly prefers Marlborough College for its co-educational setup and more relaxed feel.
Royal insiders say the debate is still ongoing, but what is certain is that George’s next school days will come with more security and even more attention.
As King Charles and Queen Camilla sent birthday emojis (yes, emojis), fans celebrated online with memes, fan art, and throwbacks to George’s most iconic faces, from grumpy balcony moments to that cheeky Wimbledon smirk.
He may still be years away from a crown, but at 12, Prince George is already showing signs of the calm, confident monarch he might one day become.
For now, though, he is just a boy in the countryside with his siblings, a royal smile, and a future already written in history books.