Like his father, grandfather and great-grandfather before him, he is enthusiastic about nature

REPORTS: TRACY SCHAVERIEN

Prince George in his seventh birthday portrait;

PRINCE GEORGE

Like his father, he was born to be King. For now though, Prince George is treated like any other seven-year-old. “There will be a time and a place to bring George up and understand how he fits in, in the world,” William once said. “But right now it’s just a case of keeping a secure, stable environment around him and showing as much love as I can as a father.”

Born at the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in London’s Paddington on 22 July 2013, George Alexander Louis is third in line to the throne, behind his father and grandfather, the Prince of Wales – a line of succession illustrated in an official portrait released by Buckingham Palace last year.

George, whom his father has described as “a bit of a rascal”, is said to be “helicopter crazy” and, like many boys his age, appears to be a bundle of energy. He loves riding his bike and mum Kate has been teaching him to play tennis, both in the grounds of Anmer Hall and at the exclusive Hurlingham Club in London. George has also been learning to play the guitar and – a sign he has inherited his great-grandmother the Queen’s love for horses – has been having riding lessons on a Shetland pony belonging to his aunt, Zara Tindall.