Prince George is growing up! The heir to the throne turns 13 on July 22 and will likely ring in the special occasion with his family. Prince William and Kate Middleton’s eldest son may be king one day, but the Prince and Princess of Wales have worked to ensure he still has a normal childhood largely outside of the royal spotlight.
In honor of Prince George’s latest milestone, look back at the best photos throughout the years.
01 of 16
2013
Kate Middleton and Prince William leave the hospital with newborn Prince George in July 2013.
Credit: Mike Marsland/WireImage
On July 22, 2013, Prince William and Kate Middleton welcomed their first child. Keeping with royal tradition, the proud parents posed for a photo call outside the hospital the following day to introduce the world to the new addition to the line of succession to the throne (when he was born, George was third in line behind his grandfather Charles and father William).
The little prince’s name was soon announced as George Alexander Louis, likely a tribute to the regnal name of Queen Elizabeth’s father, King George VI.
02 of 16
2014
Kate Middleton, Prince George and Prince William visit the Natural History Museum before George’s first birthday.
Credit: John Stillwell – WPA Pool/Getty
From his mom’s arms, Prince George took in the Sensational Butterflies exhibit at the Natural History Museum in London in July 2014.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as William and Kate were styled at the time, released the shot in honor of their son’s first birthday, kicking off a tradition that would continue ever since and eventually extend to his siblings.
03 of 16
2015
Prince George chats with Queen Elizabeth on his sister Princess Charlotte’s christening day.
Credit: Chris Jackson – WPA Pool/Getty
In an especially memorable image from Prince George’s toddler days, the almost 2-year-old royal animatedly chatted with his great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth at the 2015 christening of his sister, Princess Charlotte.
04 of 16
2016
Prince George gives a wave as he leaves Canada with his family in 2016.
Credit: Pool/Sam Hussein/WireImage
Prince George stole hearts with a darling double wave while visiting Canada with his family in October 2016 at age 3.
05 of 16
2016
Prince George tries a candy cane as he leaves church in Bucklebury on Christmas in 2016.
Credit: Danny Martindale/WireImage
Is there anything cuter than a tiny prince enjoying Christmas?
06 of 16
2017
Prince George checks out a helicopter in Germany during a visit with his family in 2017.
Credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage
Prince George had another iconic photo moment when he explored a helicopter with Prince William during a royal tour of Germany on the eve of his 4th birthday.
07 of 16
2018
Prince George plays at a polo match in Gloucester in 2018.
Credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty
The little prince bounded around the grounds of the Beaufort Polo Club during one of his dad’s matches a few weeks before his 5th birthday.
08 of 16
2019
Prince George and Princess Charlotte matched in uniforms on the steps of Kensington Palace on an important morning: their first day at the same school! The sweet bond between George, then 6, and Charlotte, then 4, was evident as they posed close together before heading off to Thomas’s Battersea in September 2019.
“They are close in age, and they spend so much time together,” a source told PEOPLE at the time. “Playdates [with outsiders] can be tricky, so they learn to lean on each other.”
09 of 16
2020
Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis join the “Clap for Carers” campaign from Amner Hall in Norfolk during an appearance that aired on the BBC in April 2020.
Credit: Comic Relief/BBC Children in Need/Comic Relief via Getty
George joined dad William, mom Kate, sister Charlotte and little brother Louis to support the “Clap for Carers” campaign during the coronavirus pandemic. The royal family applauded frontline workers from Amner Hall, their country home in Norfolk, in a special appearance that aired on the BBC.
10 of 16
2021
Prince George and Prince William watch the Euro 2020 match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium in June 2021.
Credit: Eamonn McCormack – UEFA/UEFA via Getty
Prince George was treated to a soccer game on a school night a few weeks before his 8th birthday to watch England and Germany play their Euro 2020 match at Wembley Stadium.
The little prince (who has inherited his father’s love of football, as the sport is known in Europe) proved to be a lucky charm, and England advanced to the quarterfinals.
11 of 16
2022
Then-Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth, Prince George, Prince William and Princess Charlotte stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Platinum Pageant in 2022.
Credit: Chris Jackson – WPA Pool/Getty
Prince George looked at Queen Elizabeth with love during the royal family’s appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on the final day of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022.
The picture was even more poignant as it caught four generations of royalty — including heirs Prince William and then-Prince Charles — in one frame.
“That’s an extra dynamic you have with royal photos, you have that deeper historical context which makes these moments so important to capture,” explained royal photographer Chris Jackson, who was behind the lens, on the Hello! A Right Royal podcast. “As a photographer, you do feel the pressure of that history and you don’t want to bugger it up, basically.”
12 of 16
2023
Prince George and King Charles smile on the stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on Charles’ historic coronation day.
Credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty
Nine-year-old George served as a Page of Honor at the coronation of his grandfather King Charles on May 6. The young prince, who is now second in line to the throne following the death of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022, helped carry the King’s robes during the crowning ceremony at Westminster Abbey and flashed a grin while leaving the balcony of Buckingham Palace balcony behind his grandfather.
“He was terrific,” a close family friend tells PEOPLE of George’s part.
13 of 16
2024
Prince George and Princess Charlotte attend Trooping the Colour on June 15, 2024
Credit: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty
The preteen prince joined the royal family at Trooping the Colour on June 15, 2024, sporting a suit and tie for the annual celebration of the British monarch’s birthday.
14 of 16
2025
Prince George at Wimbledon
Credit: Visionhaus via Getty
At 12, Prince George already has a deep understanding of sports drama — he was utterly invested in the Jannik Sinner vs. Carlos Alcaraz match-up at Wimbledon last year.
15 of 16
2026
Kate Middleton and Prince George
Credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage
Prince George nearly towered over his mom as the duo was pictured standing on the Buckingham Palace balcony during Trooping the Color in June 2026.
16 of 16
2026
Prince George and Prince Louis
Credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty
The young prince was later captured getting silly alongside little brother, Prince George.
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