My how Prince george has grown!
An official royal photo of Prince William’s young family was released to the media on the weekend in honour of Mother’s Day celebrations in the UK.
The eighth -month-old royal, third in line to the British throne, seems unaware what all the fuss is about. Yet in his blue jumper, emblazoned very stylishly with his own name, George takes centre stage of the relaxed family portrait at Kensington Palace.
It is the first official photo released to the public since the young royal’s Christening last year, and by the looks of it he has grown fast since that time.
Nestled in the arms of his smiling mother, Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, the young bub only has eyes for the family’s pet cocker spaniel, Lupo, held by his father.
The photograph is yet another example of the young royal family’s break with tradition and the formalities of a life in the public eye. Instead of the staged and stuffy photographs fo eras gone past, the Cambridges are pictured casually dressed leaning out of the sill of an open window at their London apartment. Previously the home of Princess Margaret, the royal couple have taken up residence at 1A Kensington Palace after it was been refurbished last year.
The picture was reportedly taken a few weeks ago by celebrity photographer Jason Bell – who was also the official photographer for George’s christening last October.
The Duke and Duchess ave chosen to release the informal image ahead of their tour of New Zealand and Australia, which begins next month.
Bell is renowned for his images of Hollywood stars, musicians and celebrities such as Sir Paul McCartney, David Beckham and Scarlett Johansson.
Many of Bell’s photographs have been acquired for the National Portrait Gallery for their permanent collection. He has received a number of awards, including The Royal Photographic Society’s Terrence Donovan Award for outstanding contribution to photography and the Best British Black and White Photographer at the British Picture Editor’s Awards.
