Prince George in 8 Photos: How the Future King Has Changed Before Starting Eton

Prince George has officially entered a new chapter of royal life, starting at Eton College on Tuesday at the age of 13.

On 8 September, Kensington Palace marked the future King's first day as a boarder by releasing portraits of him wearing Eton's distinctive tailcoat uniform, offering a striking contrast to the photographs that first introduced him to the world in 2013.

From leaving hospital as a newborn to attending royal events and beginning secondary school, eight moments show how Prince William and Catherine's eldest son has grown up in public.

1. Prince George Makes His Royal Debut In 2013

Born on 22 July 2013, George made his first public appearance outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London.

Carried by his parents, the newborn prince immediately became one of the world's most photographed babies. His arrival was particularly significant because he became third in line to the throne.

2. Prince George's First Official Family Portrait

Weeks after his birth, George appeared in a more relaxed setting for his first official family photographs.

Rather than a formal palace shoot, the pictures were taken by his grandfather Michael Middleton in the Middleton family's garden, showing William and Catherine with their newborn son.

3. Prince George Begins Stepping Into Royal Life

By his toddler years, George had started appearing more frequently at public events and during overseas royal tours.

One particularly memorable photograph came in 2016, when the young prince met then-US President Barack Obama while wearing his dressing gown and pyjamas at Kensington Palace.

4. Prince George Heads To School

George reached another milestone when he began his early education.

After attending Westacre Montessori nursery, he started at Thomas' Battersea in London in 2017. First-day photographs showed a four-year-old George arriving in his school uniform, carrying his backpack as William accompanied him.

5. Prince George Becomes a Familiar Royal Face

Between 2018 and 2020, George became increasingly recognisable at major Royal Family occasions.

Trooping the Colour balcony appearances placed him alongside senior royals, while official family photographs continued documenting his childhood with younger siblings Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

6. Prince George Enters His Pre-Teen Years

By 2021 to 2023, official birthday photographs showed a noticeable change from the young boy seen during his earliest royal appearances.

George also began joining his parents at increasingly prominent occasions, including major sporting events and royal ceremonies, while remaining largely outside formal royal duties.

7. Future King Approaches His Teenage Years

Photographs from 2024 onwards captured George approaching adolescence as speculation grew over where he would continue his education.

His appearances became more mature and formal, particularly when standing alongside William at major events, offering glimpses of the public role that could eventually await him.

8. Prince George Starts Eton College at 13

That transformation became clearest on 8 September 2026, when George began boarding at Eton College.

Official portraits released to mark the occasion showed the 13-year-old dressed in the school's traditional uniform, including a black tailcoat, waistcoat, pinstriped trousers and stiff white collar.

These eight moments provide a sharp visual bookend to those early photographs of George in his parents' arms. Thirteen years after his introduction outside the Lindo Wing, the future King has moved from royal baby to Eton schoolboy, beginning another stage of a childhood that has unfolded largely in front of the cameras.