The occasion of Prince George’s 2nd birthday offers an opportunity to be completely self-indulgent and take a look back at some of his best faces in the photos from the last two years. But first, the new picture released by Kensington Palace in advance of George’s birthday. It is from the Mario Testino photo shoot following Charlotte’s christening, taken in the Sandringham Gardens.
We reminisce, beginning with the day Prince George left the Lindo Wing in July of 2013…
Georgina Brewer, ITV (@GeorginaITV)
…to his return in May of 2015…
… and his most recent appearance at Charlotte’s christening.
Mario Testino/Art Partner
It is been a delight watching him grow up.
George seems ever-curious. Even at his own baptism, HRH seemed intent on monitoring the activities.
You can just about see the scamp starting to emerge in his christening photos.
Jason Bell
Last year’s royal tour of New Zealand and Australia brought several photo ops. Below, a few airport looks in New Zealand. That one on the far right is what I call Stoic George.
Who can forget this face from George’s Plunket Playdate in New Zealand?
©Photography by Woolf/2014 Crown Copyright
Or this image of George snuggled into Mom’s shoulder?
NZ Governor General
As with many babies, the expressions on his face are constantly changing. When arriving in Australia last April George was fairly placid.
A closer look.
All Photos: ©i-Images
Some of George’s most gleeful expressions were seen on the family’s trip to the Taronga Zoo in Sydney.
James Whatling / Splash News
It looked like George was having a rollicking good time.
But His Royal Highness was less-than-impressed when leaving Canberra for the journey home to London. The looks range from “What….???!!” to “Meh” to full-on “I warned you I was not happy.”
And from the nonplussed to the rather perturbed.
For Father’s Day last year George and Kate watched Prince William play polo.
You can see such a range of emotions on his face.
Just before George’s 1st birthday a year ago we saw new images of the young Prince.
©PA Wire
Whether concentrating on walking or looking at a butterfly exhibit, George was very much focused on the task at hand.
All Photos: ©John Stillwell/PA Wire
Just before Christmas 2014 Kate and William released new pictures of George.
And his personality really started to shine in these pictures, he looked quite the character.
In May Princess Charlotte was born. Below Prince George gets a helping hand from dad as the duo arrive at the Lindo Wing for a visit with George’s little sister.
Jack Taylor/i-Images
Another instance when everything must have felt a little overwhelming.
We had a peek at the brother and sister together in pictures taken by the Duchess of Cambridge.
©HRH The Duchess of Cambridge 2015.
There was smiling George side-by-side with serious George.
©HRH The Duchess of Cambridge
In June the young Prince made his first appearance on the iconic Buckingham Palace balcony.
i-Images, POLARIS/POLARIS
It must be an extraordinary task for a young mind to process everything. The crowds. The noise. The view.
The pressure of getting that royal wave just right.
HRH was in his element when at a polo match in June.
James Whatling/Splash News
George looking somewhat perplexed, as well as elated.
Both Photos by i-Images
Here we have what I called Determined George, striding forcefully ahead.
James Whatling/Splash News
Charlotte’s July christening prompted some darling looks.
There was so much to keep track of while also staying on one’s very best behavior.
We saw expressions of curiosity, confusion and consternation.
We also saw the well-behaved imp planning his getaway.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images/PA Wire
And then there’s simply a charming little boy on tippy-toes peering into his little sister’s pram, perhaps trying to sort out what all the fuss is about.
INFPhoto.com
With such an inquisitive, tenacious personality we are guaranteed even more fun watching Prince George as he continues to grow up.
Mario Testino / Art Partner / PA Wire
We leave you with this video from People, “5 Times Prince George Stole the Show”
LINKAGE:
- PopSugar has a fun piece sharing The Sweet & Hilarious Things the Royal Family has Said About Prince George
- The Telegraph shares The Prince George Effect: A Right Royal Style Icon
- People magazine offers Prince George in GIFs
- Angela Buttolph has a fun piece in The Telegraph, Prince George at Two: What Our Future King Has Learned So Far
- The Express has a slide show you can see here
- The Daily Mail offers Prince George’s Cutest Moments
- The Mirror has a fun photo piece with captions saying What the Royal Toddler was Really Thinking
Thanks so much for such a beautifully crafted post – your choice of pics is a delight! I’m grateful too that you have refrained from any more than one mention of a little ‘imp’ as I fear a small cloud of negativity is gathering around the head of our small hero along the lines of ‘terrible two’s’. And that even after he undertook the huge march to the christening in front of crowds with such very grown-up good grace
It seems to me that this young chap has just suffered a major trauma in the form of the arrival of a Little Sister, the effects of which are set to last a lifetime. Most everything he was previously encouraged and praised for doing is now heading to be labelled ‘naughty’ which is no fun at all.
It seems to me little wonder then that he should lean towards a friendly photographer to pose for his birthday shot as he now needs to get himself noticed as and when he can. It’s that or You-Know-Who will be hogging all her limelight again.
I prefer this birthday shot of George to the other monochrome shots for the christening as I find it more natural, although Testino does seem to want to focus on his subjects’ mouths in a way which partially distorts their faces.
No matter. George’s delightful smile breaks through clear as day and once more he’s the star of the show!