Stunning new photo released as Prince George turns 8

Happy Birthday Prince George!

Author: Alex RossPublished 22nd Jul 2021

Believe it or not it's been a massive eight years since The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcomed their first child into the world, Prince George Alexander Louis on 22nd July 2013.

Now, as the aspiring Prince celebrates his eighth birthday, proud parents Prince William and Kate Middleton have released a stunning new photo of their eldest son.

The photo, which was taken by The Duchess herself in Norfolk earlier this month, shows Prince George with a beaming smile on his face as he sits on the bonnet of a Land Rover Defender against the backdrop of a field.

It's understood the Land Rover has been used as a poignant tribute to Prince George's great-grandfather The Duke of Edinburgh, following his sad passing at the age of 99 in April this year.

The public were quick to comment on the new photo, with many commenting about how much Prince George looks alike to his dad.

One person wrote on Twitter: 'Happy birthday gorgeous boy. You look just like you dad. Have a wonderful day'.

Another wrote: 'He looks so much like his dad', with a third commenting: 'Happy Birthday Prince George! I still remember the day you were born, Can’t believe how big you are now'. (sic)

Check out all of the cute photos of The Cambridge children over the years:

2013: Prince George is born

The Duke and Duchess welcomed their first child together, Prince George, on 22nd July 2013. They presented their son to the world on the steps of The Lindo Wing at St. Mary's Hospital, as is traditional for the Royal Family.

2014: Prince George's first birthday

Wills and Kate released a series of beautiful photos of themselves with their son Prince George during a visit to the Sensational Butterflies exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London to mark his first birthday.

2015: Princess Charlotte is born

The Cambridge's second child, Princess Charlotte, was born on 2nd May 2015. The couple once again presented her to the world on the steps of The Lindo Wing at St. Mary's Hospital.

2015: Visit to Balmoral Castle

In April 2021, members of the Royal Family shared family photos to celebrate the life of Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh after his sad passing. This photo depicts Prince George as a toddler and Princess Charlotte as an infant, sharing a look with her great-grandmother the Queen. The caption read, 'Today we share, along with Members of @theroyalfamily, photographs of The Duke of Edinburgh, remembering him as a father, grandfather and great-grandfather.'

2015: Prince George in Norfolk with his great-grandfather, Prince Phillip

This photo was shared on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's Instagram account so that Prince William could pay tribute to his grandfather after he passed away in April 2021. The photo depicts Prince George enjoying a horse and cart ride with his great-grandfather in Norfolk in 2015.

2016: Prince George starts nursery

This adorable shot taken by the Duchess of Cambridge in January 2016 shows a sweet Prince George before his first day at Westacre Montessori School Nursery in Norfolk, near Anmer Hall, the country home of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their family.

2017: Prince George starts school

Prince William could be seen dropping off his son Prince George at Thomas's Battersea prep school in September 2017, pictured here with Helen Haslem, head of the lower school.

2017: Family Christmas card

The 2017 Christmas card was shot at Kensington Palace and was a more formal image than many of those previously issued by the royals around the Christmas period. The family could be seen wearing similar shades of blue, with Prince George wearing the same striped shirt by Amaia which he previously sported in his fourth birthday photo.

2018: Princess Charlotte starts nursery

In January 2018, Princess Charlotte proved she was a natural at the 'first day of school' photograph by posing before starting at Willocks Nursery School in London.

2018: Prince Louis is born

Prince Louis was born on 23rd April 2018, once again being presented on the steps of the Lindo Wing by parents the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

2018: Balmoral Castle

This photo, taken in 2018, was shared by the Royal Family in April 2021 after the sad passing of Prince Phillip, showing himself and the Queen surrounded by their great-grandchildren. 'Captured by The Duchess of Cambridge 📷 The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh surrounded by seven of their great-grandchildren at Balmoral Castle in 2018.'

2019: Princess Charlotte's first day of school

Princess Charlotte's first day at Thomas's Battersea in South London saw her join big brother George at the prestigious school, which famously values kindness as much as academic success. She arrived with her parents, the Duchess and Duke of Cambridge, who said she was 'very excited'.

May 2020: Princess Charlotte's 5th birthday

These pictures of Princess Charlotte were released on her 5th birthday in May 2020, taken by the Duchess as the family helped to pack up and deliver food packages for isolated pensioners in the local area.

June 2020: Prince William's 38th birthday

The family shared these gorgeous snaps of Prince William and his three children on his 38th birthday in June 2020, taken by the Duchess. They wrote, 'The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to share a new picture of The Duke with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis ahead of The Duke's birthday tomorrow.'

July 2020: Prince George's 7th birthday

These photos of Prince George were shared to celebrate the future King's seventh birthday.

September 2020: David Attenborough visits

Sir David Attenborough paid a visit to Kensington Palace gardens after Prince William had previously attended an outdoor screening of David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet. He gifted a tooth from a giant shark to Prince George, having found the tooth on a family holiday to Malta in the late 1960s.

December 2020: The Cambridge's Christmas Card

The family shared their Christmas card 2020 portrait, taken by Matt Porteous at Anmer Hall in Norfolk and released two weeks before the main event. They wrote, 'The Duke and Duchess are delighted to share a new image of their family, which features on their Christmas card this year🎄.'

April 2021: Prince Louis' third birthday

Prince Louis turned three-years-old on 23rd April 2021, and his parents shared this adorable photo of him on his bike with the caption, 'Taken earlier this week by The Duchess before he left for his first day of nursery, The Duke and Duchess are pleased to share a new image of Prince Louis. 🎈'

December 2021: Christmas card

The family's 2021 Christmas card showed the Duke and Duchess with their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis on a family trip to Jordan.

September 2022: The Cambridges' first day at school

The Cambridges' first day at a new school was in September 2022. Four-year-old Prince Louis began full-time education and was joined by his nine-year-old brother and seven-year-old sister for his big moment at the private school near Ascot.

December 2022: The Prince and Princess of Wales Christmas card

The Prince and Princess of Wales official 2022 Christmas card was released in December 2022, it shows the family walking hand-in-hand through the Norfolk countryside.

Following their unforgettable wedding in April 2011, the Royal couple went on to have three children together, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Whilst George was born in July 2013, his sister Charlotte was welcomed into the world in 2015, with the pair's younger brother Louis being born in 2018.

Happy Birthday Prince George! 🎈

How to listen to Forth 1:

For great music and incredible competitions tune into Forth 1 on 97.3, DAB, online, on the Rayo app, or say ‘Play FORTH 1’ to your Smart Speaker. You’ll find new favourites every day and hear the songs you've missed from the last few years. From Boogie In The Morning, to Garry and Steven getting you home after work, we play you the biggest hits from the world's hottest artists.