What a difference a year makes. Just under 12 months ago, Prince George was just a babe-in-arms, now he has grown into an adventurous toddler who has more than mastered the art of walking. In a brand new photo, released by Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton, the little future King can be seen standing on his own two feet and walking unaided for the first time. Royal fans can see just how much the little Prince has grown since his debut snap taken last August.
Judging by the new portrait of the royal darling, who is celebrating his first birthday next week, George has developed into a boisterous and charismatic little fellow – a sentiment echoed by dad William's recent comments that George is already "charging around and opening doors". George's beaming expression is in stark contrast to how he appeared in his first official snap, when he snoozed in the arms of his mother, and was swaddled in the same merino wool shawl in which he made the journey home from hospital. This time around, the youngster takes centre stage in his first official picture without his mum and dad, who were, no doubt, proudly looking on from the sidelines.
The near one-year-old, who was recently crowned celebrity toddler with the best hair, looks to have inherited William's fair locks. When it comes to his facial features, George seems to have taken after his mum Kate. The young boy has the same adorable chubby cheeks that can be seen in pictures of the brunette beauty when she was around her son's age, and his cute round button nose is another Middleton feature.
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It was Kate's father Michael who took the first sweet picture in the comfort of the Middleton family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire last summer – so as not to disrupt George's routine with a formal photoshoot.
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An official snapper was drafted in this time around, and given that the royal baby is now old enough to enjoy being out and about, William and Kate decided to have their latest official family snap taken in a public setting.
It's one that holds a special place in Kate's heart. The Natural History Museum - of which she is patron. The photoshoot took place in the museum's exotic butterfly house, where George came face to face with hundreds of striking butterflies, moths and caterpillars. And judging by his beaming smile, he was thoroughly enjoying the experience.
Don't miss this week's HELLO! issue celebrating Prince George's 1st Birthday