To mark his 12th birthday on July 22, 2025, the Prince and Princess of Wales have shared a radiant new photo of Prince George.

Taken by family favorite Josh Shinner earlier this year in Norfolk, the portrait shows George leaning over a wooden gate, smiling into the camera. He wears a white checkered shirt under a khaki gilet and sports a blue-thread friendship bracelet, a trend shared with his sister, Princess Charlotte.

A Glimpse Into George’s Private World

Since his birth at St Mary’s Hospital in London in 2013, George has been mostly shielded from the public eye, but small details about his life have trickled out.

George, the eldest of the Wales children, is currently enrolled at Lambrook School and is expected to begin secondary education next year. Though no school has been confirmed, Eton College—Prince William’s alma mater—is reportedly a top contender. A source shared: “All roads lead to Eton.”

George shares his father’s passion for Aston Villa FC and frequently joins him at matches. He’s also made memorable public appearances, including at this year’s Wimbledon men’s final alongside his parents and sister.

The young prince appeared emotional as he watched favorite player Carlos Alcaraz lose to World No.1 Jannik Sinner. George, a known Alcaraz fan, even modestly described his own tennis skills as “alright” when asked by doubles champion Julian Cash.

A Rock Fan in the Making

In recent years, Prince William and Princess Kate have offered glimpses into George’s musical taste. During the 2023 Big Lunch for the King’s Coronation, William mentioned George’s love for classic rock bands like AC/DC and Led Zeppelin.

Queen frontman Adam Lambert also shared a charming anecdote from Kate, who recalled George confusing him with a guitarist after Queen’s 2022 Jubilee performance. “He remembered who you were,” Kate had told Lambert, who found the moment “cute.”

The Royal Protocol Prince George Must Now Follow

As George turns 12, he faces a major shift in royal protocol. He can no longer fly on the same plane as his father, Prince William. The rule, designed to protect the royal line of succession, has historically applied to heirs starting from age 12.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams explained: “King Charles and Prince William never travel together. Now the same applies to George. He might travel with his siblings or separately, while William takes another aircraft.”

This measure echoes past tragedies in the royal family involving air travel. Prince William of Gloucester, Prince George, Duke of Kent, and Prince Philip’s sister Cecile all died in plane crashes, reinforcing the importance of this protocol. The rule is akin to the U.S. policy that the President and Vice President never travel together.

More Royal Rules Ahead

As a young royal, George is already expected to follow many unique customs. These include always packing a black outfit when traveling—introduced after Queen Elizabeth II lacked appropriate mourning attire upon her father’s death.

Additionally, royal children must follow dress codes: boys in shorts, girls in dresses. They are also banned from eating shellfish on tours to avoid food poisoning.

Looking ahead, George is likely to take on more public responsibilities and official engagements, gradually stepping further into the role he was born to inherit.