Prince George's hidden detail in 12th birthday snap hints at secret family tradition

The Prince and Princess of Wales have continued their tradition by releasing a brand new photo - as well as a video - to mark Prince George's 12th birthday today.

The royal couple nearly always mark their children's birthdays with the release of a new snap, with the one of George shared today showing him one year away from being a teenager, smiling and relaxed as he leans on the gate in the Norfolk countryside. The snap was taken by photographer Josh Shinner and shows George wearing a checked shirt and green gilet, with a blue and white friendship-style bracelet on his left wrist.

It's not the first time he has been seen wearing the woven accessory, as it also featured on his wrist in his 11th birthday portrait last year, as well as when he attended the Euro 2024 final with dad Prince William in Berlin last summer.

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Kensington Palace has so far declined to reveal who gave the prince the bracelet - but he is far from the only royal to have been spotted wearing one, hinting they could be a royal family tradition.

Princess Charlottewas seen wearing a similar bracelet while on a trip to Wimbledon last summer, while Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, is often seen wearing a woven bracelet. Even King Charles was seen sporting one of the woven bracelets during his tour of the Channel Islands and at the State Opening of Parliament in 2024.

Friendship bracelets like these have become popular once again, partly due to pop star Taylor Swift and her Eras tour, with fans exchanging them at her concerts.

And it seems the royals all first began wearing them following Taylor Swift's concerts in London, which George and Charlotte attended with dad, William, last summer.

While out and about on engagements in Cape Town last year, eagle-eyed royal fans noticed William also wearing a beaded bracelet with the name 'Papa' - what his children call him - on it.

In an interview, William later explained: "Well, this is a this is a, I think, a relic, if you like, from a Taylor Swift concert that my daughter decided that she wanted to create a bracelet for. She gave it to me when I came away. So I promised that I would wear it and try not to lose it while I was out here."

Meanwhile, as well as a new photo, George's 12th birthday has also been marked with the release of behind-the-scenes footage showing the youngster having fun with his siblings, Charlotte and Louis.

George is shown laughing as he and Charlotte both lift a giggling Louis up in their arms during an outdoor photoshoot, with George holding his younger brother around his chest and Charlotte holding his legs.

The upbeat video montage, filmed by Kensington Palace’s in-house social media team, shows the trio smiling as they stride along holding hands in the sunshine, with Louis in the middle of his brother and sister.

The royal siblings also pose for a family portrait with Charlotte and Louis sitting on a rustic wooden gate as George leans next to them.