Future king turns 12 as royal protocols signal a new chapter in his life
Buckingham Palace joined the Prince and Princess of Wales in celebrating a major milestone for Prince George, who marked his 12th birthday with a radiant new portrait.
The official photo, captured by renowned photographer Josh Shinner, shows the young royal beaming in the outdoors, dressed in a light blue checkered shirt and green fleece gilet. A charming detail caught the eye of many—George wearing a blue and white string friendship bracelet, believed to be a gift from his sister.
Sharing the portrait on social media, King Charles and Queen Camilla issued a warm message for their grandson: “Happy Birthday to Prince George!” accompanied by festive emojis.
As the eldest child of Prince William and Princess Kate, Prince George is second in line to the throne, and turning 12 carries special significance for future monarchs. From this point forward, royal traditions and protocols will be more closely observed in his life.
Among them is the long-standing travel rule that discourages direct heirs from flying together—a measure designed to safeguard the line of succession. It's a tradition that once required Prince William to fly separately from his father after turning 12, and now Prince George may face the same arrangement.
While this rule has sparked concern for William and Kate, it's unclear whether King Charles—known for his affection as a grandfather—might offer leniency in this case. As the monarchy looks ahead, Prince George's birthday serves as a reminder of the responsibilities he is slowly stepping into, and the legacy he will one day inherit.
