Birthday boy George
Kensington Palace has released this photograph of Prince George to mark his fourth birthday today. Chris Jackson, the photographer, said: “He is such a happy little boy and certainly injects some fun into a photoshoot, even getting behind my camera at one point to give a helping hand.” The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge returned home from Germany with their children yesterday
HER big brother was beside himself with excitement thanks to an early birthday treat visiting a helicopter.
But it all proved a little too much for Princess Charlotte, who after four days of impeccable behaviour found herself overwhelmed on the tarmac.
In scenes that would make any parent of a two-year-old smile wryly, Charlotte, who had been a model of good manners all week during a tour of Europe, made it abundantly clear that she had finally had enough.
Waiting for Prince George to play in a helicopter in Hamburg, she made her feelings known by jigging on the spot in front of the Duchess of Cambridge, her mother, before dramatically sitting down in protest.
But for his part, on the eve of his fourth birthday, Prince George could barely contain his excitement as he was treated to a personal tour of the helicopter by his pilot father.
Aside from appearing on the red carpet as they arrived by plane in Poland and Germany, the two youngest Cambridges have been allowed to enjoy themselves privately while their parents embarked on their official duties. Perhaps as a reward for good behaviour, and as a treat ahead of Prince George’s birthday, they made a surprise outing around the EC145 helicopter, the same model the Duke flies back in East Anglia.
The Prince, who is said to be “helicopter crazy”, beamed with delight as he was allowed to step inside the cockpit, strapping on a helmet and scrambling into his seat.
The two helicopters were waiting for the children on the runway at Airbus, Hamburg, for the final engagement of the five-day tour to Europe.
Antoine van Gent, head of flight testing at Airbus, said: “The Duke was very relaxed showing his children the professional aircraft he uses.
“George was excited. With the first helicopter he wanted to sit in the cockpit and then he wanted to sit in the next one, he already knew there was a difference between them.
“Charlotte was also excited – after her brother had sat in the cockpit she wanted to as well. Charlotte asked her mother if she could push a button and the Duchess glanced at us and asked if it was OK and we said yes.”
Today, Kensington Palace has also released an official portrait of Prince George to celebrate his birthday. The photograph was taken at Kensington Palace, the Cambridges’ London home.
A spokesman for the family said: “The Duke and Duchess are very pleased to share this lovely picture as they celebrate Prince George’s fourth birthday, and would like to thank everyone for all of the kind messages they have received.”
Today the family will celebrate privately at home in Anmer Hall, Norfolk.
Among the Prince’s birthday gifts was a children’s book from the Elbphilharmonie Concert Hall, which his parents had visited earlier in the day. The Duke seemed under no illusions about how his son would choose to spend his day.
“George has got a big tummy,” he told children at the Elbphilharmonie. “He’ll probably end up eating all his cake by himself.”
The Royal couple also visited the Hamburg Maritime Museum, where they were shown a 1:96 scale model of the Royal Yacht Britannia, which was decommissioned 20 years ago. when the Queen memorably shed a public tear. Asked if there were any mistakes, he joked: “I’m not an expert... my grandmother would definitely spot anything. But it is the most wonderful model.”