Prince George looked countryside smart in a checked shirt layered with a khaki gilet for his 12th birthday portrait – but eagle-eyed royal fans will have no doubt noticed a playful addition to his ensemble in a form of a friendship bracelet on his wrist.
The Prince and Princess of Wales released the charming photo, taken earlier this year by one of the family’s favourite photographers, Josh Shinner, in Norfolk, to mark the future King’s special day on Tuesday.
Beaming for the camera, George leans over a wooden gate and, in the snap, appears to be wearing a bracelet made of blue-coloured threads – in a Taylor Swift-inspired trend that he and his sister Princess Charlotte have previously taken part in.
King Charles, 76, has also previously been spotted wearing what appears to be a ‘friendship bracelet’ at royal engagements.
Princess Charlotte, ten, has been spotted wearing the colourful accessories ever since she attended the first night of Taylor Swift‘s Eras Tour in June 2024 with her father Prince William and brother George.
Weeks later at Wimbledon, Charlotte was spotted wearing two threaded bracelets, one featuring various shades of pink and another boasting green, blue and pink fabric.
Meanwhile, this isn’t the first time George has sported a friendship bracelet, with the royal opting to wear the vibrant accessory in his otherwise formal 11th birthday portrait.
The prince once again wore the bracelet with a smart suit when he attended the Euro 2024 Final between Spain v England.
Prince George beams in a photo released to mark his 12th birthday. The young prince was photographed by Josh Shinner in April in Norfolk
In November, George’s father William was seen wearing a homemade friendship bracelet bearing the word ‘Papa’ – the name his children call him – in Cape Town. His daughter is understood to have made the item for him especially before the trip.
In September, William joked that Prince Louis could try to steal Charlotte’s friendship bracelets.
The prince was meeting with pupils who took part in Welsh language festival Urdd Eisteddfod at Swiss Valley Community Primary School.
Among them was ten-year-old winner Ruby Davies, who sweetly gifted William some friendship bracelets in a pink envelope to give to his children.
The Prince was delighted by the gift – and even gave an insight into daily life between Charlotte and her cheeky younger brother Louis, seven.
‘That’s so sweet,’ William said, after carefully unwrapping them. ‘Did you build them at home? Did you put them together yourself?
‘Thank you so much Ruby. They’re going to love those, you’ll see them out and about. I’ll keep them away from Louis because he’ll try and steal all his sister’s bits.’
Friendship bracelets saw a resurgence in popularity last year due to the success of Taylor Swift’s Eras tour.
Princess Charlotte (pictured), ten, has been spotted wearing friendship bracelets ever since she attended the first night of Taylor Swift ‘s Eras Tour in June 2024 with her father William and brother Prince George
Taylor Swift poses with with the Prince of Wales and his children Prince George and Princess Charlotte ahead of one of her concerts at Wembley Stadium in London in June 2024. The singer encourages fans to swap homemade beaded bracelets with names or words on
However, the royal versions are not believed to be the same as those made by fans attending Taylor’s concerts – despite George and Charlotte going to her show at Wembley.
The bracelets swapped by Swifties tend to feature beads with lettering spelling out lyrics and song names, while Charlotte, George and Charles’ accessories are made from plain coloured thread.
George, who was born on July 22, 2013 at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, was first introduced to the world when his mother Kate and father William stepped out of the Lindo Wing with him in their arms.
Dressed in a summery powder blue frock, Kate glowed as she and William revealed their first child, George Alexander Louis, to the world.
George, who currently attends Lambrook School in Berkshire, will move to secondary education when he reaches the age of 13 – although it has not yet been confirmed which institution his parents have chosen to send him to.
Among the schools reportedly being considered were his father’s alma mater; Eton College, and his mother’s; Marlborough College.
While nothing is confirmed yet, the Mail on Sunday reported last month that £63,000-a-year Eton was the frontrunner for Kate and William. A source told the paper: ‘All roads lead to Eton.’
Sport-loving George has delighted royal fans around the world with public appearances alongside his parents at sporting events; including Aston Villa matches with his father and, most recently, the men’s Wimbledon final.
Kensington Palace shared a portrait of Prince George, taken by his mother Kate, to mark his 11th birthday – and on his left wrist the certified Swiftie was wearing a friendship bracelet
King Charles, 76, has been spotted wearing what appears to be a ‘friendship bracelet’ during previous engagements, including in Guernsey in July 2024 (left). The band seems to be similar to versions sported by Princess Charlotte (right) when she attended the Wimbledon final
The 12-year-old sat alongside his parents and sister Charlotte to watch defending champion Carlos Alcaraz take on World No. 1 Jannik Sinner – before the Italian smashed the Spaniard to lift the trophy.
An animated George watched in apparent frustration as his favourite player dropped sets to Sinner, and appeared downcast at the final result.
It has been widely reported in the past that George and Charlotte are huge Alcaraz fans, and the pair have rejoiced at the 22-year-old’s Wimbledon wins in the last two years.
