Duke and Duchess of Cambridge share new cheerful portrait of Prince George ahead of 9th birthday

Prince George looked happier than ever as he flashed a cheerful grin for his most recent birthday portrait.

As per British royal tradition, Kensington Palace has released a new portrait of the eldest son of Prince William and Kate Middleton to celebrate this birthday.

The picture was taken by his mother, the Duchess of Cambridge, while on a family trip to the beach earlier this month after George and his siblings, Princess Charlotte, 7, and Prince Louis, 4, finished their summer term at Thomas’s Battersea Prep School.

George is turning 9! ???????? pic.twitter.com/3VmttlX8ui

— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) July 21, 2022

The Cambridges have made it a tradition to release official portraits of their children to mark their birthdays, with their mother acting as the official photographer capturing these perfect and intimate moments.

In the picture, the young royal- who resembles his dad– is wearing a simple pale blue polo shirt and looks totally carefree and worlds away from some of his more recent formal public appearances.

George, who is the third in line for the throne, has been spotted a lot recently in public, even making his Wimbledon debut earlier this month.

Friends close to William and Kate have said that the couple is determined to raise their son to know and respect the role into which he has been born into, but also make it a point to balance it with his ability to “just be a kid.”

Since releasing the new portrait, many fans have flooded social media to express their warm fuzzy feelings of nostalgia.

When Prince George met The Obamas in his robe and pjs. Priceless! Happy Birthday Prince George ???????????? #PrinceGeorge #PrinceGeorgeTurns9 #PrinceGeorgeBirthday #Royal pic.twitter.com/sfHxaFaWnI

— Fifi ❤️ The Cambridges ???????????????????????? (@hellen3030) July 21, 2022

I come from a family that very much supports the monarchy. I was only a kid when William and Catherine got married and was so happy when Prince George was born. Happy birthday to our sweet Prince.

— WCGCL ???? (@cambridges4all) July 21, 2022

Happy 9th birthday to my favourite royal family member Prince George have an incredible birthday Prince George I hope you get spoiled rotten ???? you are going to make a fantastic king ???? in the future you are absolutely amazing so proud of you prince George @KensingtonRoyal ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/4iCm1A8B0G

— steph Lloyd????????????#kitconnor/heartstopperfan (@stephlloyd32) July 21, 2022

The release of the new portrait follows news that George’s parents are currently on the hunt for new schools for their children as they will reportedly move to Frogmore Cottage, which resides in Winsor Castle, this summer to be closer to the Queen.