Prince George looks at home in the countryside in a new picture released by Prince William and Princess Kate to mark his birthday.

    The future king turned 12 on July 22 after a year in which his mother emerged from a bleak period undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.

    In a post on X, William and Kate wrote: “Happy 12th Birthday to Prince George! 🎂”

    Prince George's New 12th Birthday Photo
    Prince George smiles in a new photo released by Prince William and Princess Kate to mark his 12th birthday on July 22, 2025.
    Prince George smiles in a new photo released by Prince William and Princess Kate to mark his 12th birthday on July 22, 2025.
    Josh Shinner
    Why It Matters

    Prince George has a big year ahead of him, including his final year at Lambrook, the school he has been attending in Berkshire with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis since 2022.

    It has not been publicly revealed where he will go after that, with Prince William’s former boarding school Eton College among the likely candidates.

    What to Know

    The year gone by has included some high-profile public appearances, including at Kate’s annual carol service, Together at Christmas, at Westminster Abbey, on December 6.

    George, Charlotte and Louis were seen again on Christmas Day where they met members of the public gathered outside church on the royal family’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.

    The young royal had a poignant visit on May 5 to a tea party at Buckingham Palace where he met World War II veterans and heard their stories a few days before the 80th anniversary of V-E Day.

    Perhaps his biggest royal event of the year was Trooping the Colour, King Charles III’s birthday parade, on June 14, where he was photographed during the carriage procession and appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

    And most recently, George and Charlotte joined Kate and William at the men’s singles final of Wimbledon on July 13, when they watched Jannik Sinner beat Carlos Alcaraz in four sets.

    The past year has also contained some very good news for the Wales family after Kate announced in September that she had concluded a course of chemotherapy for cancer.

    And in January, she revealed on social media that she was officially in remission one year on from the major abdominal surgery, in January 2024, that ultimately triggered her diagnosis.

    What People Are Saying

    One fan replied to the Wales’ post: “Happy 12th Birthday Prince George! Wishing you long life and prosperity. May you continue to grow in wisdom, age and grace. God b you❤️🎂🥳.”

    Another wrote: “Prince George is growing up to be a fine young man. And he looks so much like his Papa! A very happy birthday to him!”

    And a third wrote: “Happy birthday to Prince George! And thank you for yet another beautiful photo ❤️.”

    What Happens Next

    George, Charlotte and Louis will have the summer off school with William and Kate and will likely have plenty of time outside up in Scotland, where the royals generally holiday at their private estate, Balmoral.

    Jack Royston is chief royal correspondent for Newsweek, based in London. You can find him on Twitter at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek’s The Royals Facebook page.

    Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We’d love to hear from you.

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