Prince George Christmas pictures released

  • Published
Prince GeorgeImage source, PA
Image caption,
The prince is third-in-line to the throne

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have released three official Christmas photographs of Prince George.

The pictures were taken in late November and show the prince in a courtyard at Kensington Palace.

The third-in-line to the throne celebrated his first birthday in July, and is now almost 17 months old.

The shots of the prince were taken by Prince Harry's private secretary Ed Lane Fox, who has also worked as a freelance photographer.

Image source, PA
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In his Christmas pictures Prince George is wearing a top which is believed to be from Cath Kidston
Image source, PA
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The Christmas pictures of Prince George were taken by Edward Lane Fox
Image source, PA
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This pictures released to mark Prince George's first birthday were taken in London's Natural History Museum
Image source, John Stillwell
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The prince was born on 22 July 2013

Prince William and his wife Catherine are releasing the images, in part as a thank you to the media, who have not published any of the paparazzi pictures that have been taken of the prince, BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt said.

The couple are said to be grateful that their request for their son to grow up without intrusion continues to be honoured, our correspondent added.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have recently returned from a three-day tour of the east coast of the United States during which they visited the 9/11 memorial and museum, met President Obama and watched a basketball game.

The couple announced in September the Duchess of Cambridge was pregnant with their second child.

Image source, Getty Images
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The prince accompanied his parents on a trip to Australia earlier this year

The duchess has already signalled that she will not be accompanying her husband when he visits Japan and China in early 2015, as she will be heavily pregnant.

Prince William will spend three days in each country during his trip in February and March, visiting both capital cities.

Image source, AP
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Prince George weighed 8lbs 6oz at birth