AS THE SECOND IN LINE TO THE THRONE TURNS TEN

WE LOOK BACK ON HIS FIRST DECADE AS A NEW OFFICIAL PORTR AIT IS RELEASED TO MARK THE MILESTONE

‘I want George to grow up in a real environment, not behind palace walls’

The Prince of Wales

Smilingbroadly and looking relaxed and confident as he celebrates his tenth birthday, this is Prince George in a new photo taken to mark the occasion by Millie Pilkington, one of his family’s favourite photographers.

The young Prince was said to have celebrated his double-digits milestone at the weekend with a party, like any boy his age, and with a homemade cake lovingly baked by his mother, the Princess of Wales.

The ordinary, unfussy celebrations underline how Kate and the Prince of Wales are striving to give George and his siblings as normal a childhood as possible, despite their eldest son’s position as a future king.

In contrast, George had spent the previous Sunday in the Royal Box on Wimbledon’s Centre Court, where he was photographed looking grown-up in a suit and tie – just like his father – to watch the men’s singles final alongside his parents and younger sister Princess Charlotte.

The two events, six days apart, illustrate the fine balancing act facing Prince William and Kate as they bring up George, eight-year-old Charlotte and Prince Louis, five, with the eyes of the world upon them. Determined to give them the freedom to flourish as children, they are also gently preparing George, who is second in line to the throne, for his destiny.

NORMAL CHILDHOOD

Six years ago, William shared his vision for his elder son’s future, saying: “I want to bring up my children in a happy, stable, secure world, and that is so important to both of us as parents. I want George to grow up in a real, living environment. I don’t want him growing up behind palace walls; he has to be out there.”

During his school summer holidays, the youngster can look forward to a few weeks of fun and quality time with his family, enjoying the pursuits he loves, such as swimming, riding his bike and walking Orla, their cocker spaniel. Previous summer holidays have included a break in a cottage on the Isles of Scilly off the coast of Cornwall, where William now owns his own island, and the family may also spend time at Anmer Hall, their home on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.