Gorgeous Pictures Show Prince George's Life In Pictures As He Turns Eight

Jul 22, 2021

Prince George turned eight years old today, so celebrations are in order! As expected, Kate Middleton snapped a never-before-seen photo of the birthday boy to commemorate this future king’s special day.
George is pictured at Anmer Hall, Kate and Prince William’s getaway on Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.

It's hard to believe that young George is growing up so fast, especially as the young prince was seen looking dapper just like his father Prince William this month as he attended the UEFA Euro 2020 match dressed up in a well-tailored suit.

This is a big year for George as his eighth year may mark a major moment for the young prince. 

Currently, George and his sister Charlotte attend Thomas Battersea, located in south London. However, fans are wondering if George will be following in the footsteps of his father and uncle Prince Harry and attend Ludgrove School in Berkshire as soon as he turns eight. 

Hello Magazine reported that both William and Harry attended Ludgrove School from the age of eight before they attended Eton College, which is known for its prestige and history in the UK. 

It's also likely that he will be making a big change to his wardrobe following his eighth birthday. Normally wearing shorts and high socks during his public appearances, George is expected to make the switch to long pants after his 8th birthday. It's in fact an English custom for aristocratic boys to exclusively wear shorts, even in cold weather, until around this age before going for a more grown-up look in pants.

It was announced that William and Kate were expecting their first child on 3 December 2012, and the news came in early during her first pregnancy due to her hyperemesis gravidarum needing hospital treatment. Prince George was born in the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London on July 22, 2013. The little cherub weighed 8lb 6oz and Hello Magazine reported that Kate is said to have delivered him naturally.

George had a slightly different start to his schooling as opposed to his siblings. He attended a different nursery from Charlotte and Louis as William had been working with East Anglian Air Ambulance and the family lived permanently at Anmer Hall on the Sandringham Estate at the time according to Cosmopolitan. Two-and-a-half-year-old George attended the Westacre Montessori in 2016 and continued there for a year and a half before the Cambridges moved to London, after which he attended Thomas Battersea, where he is enrolled currently as well. 

Hello Magazine reported that George's eighth birthday might signify George taking the important step of going to a boarding school that will help him prepare to attend the prestigious Eton College, which has educated prominent people, from prime ministers and aristocratic families to Nobel laureates. Many important families in the UK, including the royal family, also have a long tradition of their sons attending Eton College.

For now, however, the royal family is happy to celebrate Prince George's birthday. His parents have already thanked their fans and followers for all the birthday wishes from all around the world via a sweet Twitter message:
"Thank you for all your lovely messages on Prince George’s eighth birthday!"

George may attend the Ludgrove School in Berkshire soon as he is going to be of age. Both William and Harry attended Ludgrove when they turned eight years old, and George may follow suit, according to Hello Magazine. 

George will also start wearing long trousers now that he is eight. His transformation into a young man has already begun. Speaking with PEOPLE, Sophie Mirman, who is the founder and creative director of U.K. childrenswear store Trotters, commented on Prince George's stylish Euro 2020 look, stating:

"I thought he looked very dapper and regal. He must have felt very cool and grown-up in his new jacket and tie — matching with his dad was actually very cute too."

Mirman even likened George's style evolution to his father, stating to PEOPLE:

"His style hasn't changed, but it's evolved in the way that you would assume it would, and it's very much reminiscent of what the young princes would have worn in the time of Princess Diana. It suits George beautifully." 

Although William followed the shorts-to-pants tradition too, he actually made the transition a little bit later than his son. Ingrid Seward, who is the editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, spoke to PEOPLE in 2014 about William's own style journey. She told the publication:

"Prince William didn’t wear long trousers until he went to school at Ludgrove at the age of 8 or 9."

While it remains to be seen if George will continue with the Ludgrove tradition, it is certain that this is going to be a big year for George! 

Join us in wishing Prince George a very happy eighth birthday! What big events do you think are in store for the young prince this year? Tell us your thoughts, and be sure to ask others what they think as well.