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Prince George's Birthday: A Look Back at His Milestones Over His First Year

Pictures of Prince George's First Year

Prince George's Birthday: A Look Back at His Milestones Over His First Year

Pictures of Prince George's First Year

Happy first birthday, Prince George! A year after the world waited with bated breath for news of your arrival (you probably won't ever understand the crowds that gathered outside the hospital waiting for word that your mother, the Duchess of Cambridge, had given birth), you've succeeded in delighting royal watchers around the world with your seemingly sweet disposition, your adorable antics, and yes, your closet full of traditional English clothes. We've studied your official portraits, enjoyed photos from your first overseas trip, and eyed your parents' tender public moments with you wistfully.

So to celebrate your first birthday, we're looking back. Consider this your public baby book, full of all of the milestones we've witnessed over the past year.

Source: Getty

The Royal Baby's Arrival

The Royal Baby's Arrival
Image Source: Getty / WPA Pool

On July 22, 2013, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, welcomed an 8-pound, 6-ounce baby boy who would be third in line to the throne. Following tradition, the birth announcement was placed on an easel outside Buckingham Palace.

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First Visitors

First Visitors
Image Source: Getty / Peter Macdiarmid

The prince received his first set of visitors in the form of his maternal grandparents — Carole and Michael Middleton — the morning after his birth. After seeing their grandson, Carole said, "He's absolutely beautiful. We're so thrilled."

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Second Visitors

Second Visitors
Image Source: Getty / Oli Scarff

The prince's second visitors were none other than his paternal grandparents — Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall — on July 23, 2013.

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The Royal Baby's Public Debut

The Royal Baby's Public Debut
Image Source: Getty / LEON NEAL

Less than 24 hours after his arrival, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were all smiles as they introduced their baby prince to the world from the steps of St. Mary's Hospital.

They also released an official statement, saying, "We would like to thank the staff at the Lindo Wing and the whole hospital for the tremendous care the three of us have received. We know it has been a very busy period for the hospital and we would like to thank everyone — staff, patients and visitors — for their understanding during this time."

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First Car Ride

First Car Ride
Image Source: Getty

A trip home from the hospital means baby's first time in a car seat — something all new parents have to find their way around. Unfortunately, this momentous occasion also led to the first royal baby controversy as it appears that the royal baby was buckled into the seat over his swaddle. Car seat experts advise that parents swaddle infants after buckling them safely in the car seat so the seat can work effectively in the event of an accident.

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First Trip Home

First Trip Home
Image Source: Getty / Chris Jackson

Despite fumbling to get the car seat into the car — something he joked about later on — Prince William drove his wife and son home from the hospital.

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Prince George's First Trip Away From Home

Prince George's First Trip Away From Home
Image Source: Rex USA

Just one day after arriving home from the hospital, Prince George and his mom traveled to his grandparents' home in Bucklebury, England.

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The First Family Portrait

The First Family Portrait
Image Source: Getty / Handout

Not even one month after he was born, Prince George posed for his first official photograph — a family portrait featuring his parents, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge; Prince William, Duke of Cambridge; and his dogs, Lupo and Tilly. The prince's grandfather, Michael Middleton, took the photo at the Middleton family home.

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Prince George's Christening

Prince George's Christening
Image Source: Getty / AFP

On Oct. 23, 2013, Prince George took part in his first royal event as he was christened at St. James's Palace in London in front of an intimate group of royals and family friends. His seven godparents were announced just before the ceremony:

  • Zara Tindall, William's cousin and daughter of Princess Anne.
  • Oliver Baker, one of William and Kate's college friends from St. Andrews.
  • Emilia Jardine-Paterson, one of Kate's school friends from Marlborough College.
  • Earl Grosvenor, a family friend and the son of the Duke of Westminster. At 22, he is the youngest of the godparents.
  • Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, William and Kate's principal private secretary and the former secretary of Prince Harry.
  • Julia Samuel, one of Princess Diana's close friends.
  • William van Cutsem, William's childhood friend.
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A Second Family Portrait

A Second Family Portrait

Celebrity photographer Jason Bell was selected to take the official christening portrait, creating the second family portrait of Prince George and his parents.

Source: JASON BELL/CAMERA PRESS

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A Full Family Portrait

A Full Family Portrait

Prince George's immediate family joined together for a portrait as well, marking the first time the public saw a photograph of the prince with his grandparents and great-grandparents.

Source: JASON BELL/CAMERA PRESS

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A Walk Through Kensington Gardens

A Walk Through Kensington Gardens
Image Source: Bauer-Griffin Online

A walk with Mom and family pup Lupo through Kensington Gardens gave Prince George some fresh air. Wearing yoga pants and sneakers, the Duchess of Cambridge almost went incognito if it weren't for her Silver Cross pram.

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A Third Family Portrait

A Third Family Portrait

Eight-month-old Prince George sat for his second family portrait on March 18.

Source: JASON BELL/CAMERA PRESS via Getty Images

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Prince George's First International Trip

Prince George's First International Trip
Image Source: Getty / Samir Hussein

Prince George didn't look any worse for wear after landing in Wellington, New Zealand, for his first international trip with his parents on April 7.

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Prince George's First Official Engagement

Prince George's First Official Engagement
Image Source: Getty / Samir Hussein

The future king of England participated in his first official engagement in New Zealand on April 9. Prince George and his parents, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, visited Government House in Wellington, New Zealand, to meet with the Royal New Zealand Plunket Society and enjoy some playtime with tots his own age.

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His First Assisted Stand

His First Assisted Stand
Image Source: Getty / Pool

A major milestone for the baby book, Prince George stood with the assistance of his mom, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, during his playdate on April 9.

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Prince George's First Trip to Australia

Prince George's First Trip to Australia
Image Source: Getty / Danny Martindale

Prince George looked like an old pro when he boarded a Royal Australian Air Force plane for the short trip between New Zealand and Australia on April 16.

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Prince George's Official Duties

Prince George's Official Duties
Image Source: Getty / Chris Jackson

Prince George was also an old pro at greeting foreign dignitaries by the time he arrived in Australia on April 16.

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Prince George's First Encounter With a Bilby

Prince George's First Encounter With a Bilby
Image Source: Getty / Samir Hussein

While visiting the Taronga Zoo on April 20, Prince George saw a bilby, a marsupial native to Australia.

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Prince George's First Public Crawl

Prince George's First Public Crawl
Image Source: Getty / Max Mumby/Indigo

On June 15, Prince George attended his father's charity polo match and showed off his crawling skills.

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Prince George's First Soccer Dribble

Prince George's First Soccer Dribble
Image Source: Getty / Max Mumby/Indigo

At the same polo match, Prince George also tried his soccer dribble — just in time for the 2014 World Cup tournament.

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Prince George's First Assisted Steps

Prince George's First Assisted Steps
Image Source: Getty / Max Mumby/Indigo

And he also worked on his walking skills, teetering along with the help of his mother, Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge.

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Prince George's First Official Magazine Cover

Prince George's First Official Magazine Cover

In honor of his first birthday, Vanity Fair placed Prince George and his parents on the magazine's August cover.

Source: Mark Stewart/Camera Press/Redux

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Prince George's First Official Steps

Prince George's First Official Steps
Image Source: Getty / JOHN STILLWELL

In his official 1-year-old portrait (released a few days before his birthday), the prince is officially walking — the crowning achievement of his first year (see what we did there?).

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