PORTRAIT OF A PRINCE

It's hard to believe Prince George is nearly a teenager.

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But his 12th birthday portrait reveals just how much he's maturing into a poised and quietly confident young man.

But his 12th birthday portrait reveals just how much he's maturing into a poised and quietly confident young man.

Leaning casually on a fence, George sports a checked shirt and sleeveless vest, with a friendship bracelet on his left wrist. The happy picture was taken on a family photoshoot in Norfolk by royal photographer Josh Shinner (he snapped Prince Louis's birthday photo, too) and released on his birthday July 22 by his proud parents.

"There's no jacket and tie it's authentic countryside," royal author Robert Hardman observes to Hello! "It's nice to see George smiling so much."

In behind-the-scenes footage released soon after, George can be seen laughing and joking with his younger siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Their easy bond shone through, full of fun and benefiting from their parents' determination to keep things as normal as possible during their mother's cancer treatment.

At public events, too, the trio are often caught chatting or sharing a private joke, offering glimpses into their close-knit world.

ROYAL PURPOSE