Prince George Is 1! The Birthday Boy's Biggest Moments So Far—See the Pics!

Look back at .Kate Middleton and Prince William's son's royally awesome 12 months

By Rebecca Macatee Jul 22, 2014 2:00 PMTags
Prince George of CambridgeJames Whatling-Pool/Getty Images

Happy Birthday, Prince George!

Kate Middleton and Prince William's baby boy turns 1 today, and what a year he's had! We've watched little Georgie grow up right before our eyes—from a newborn swaddled in his mum's arms to a boisterous little boy taking steps (and setting trends) all on his own!

In the 365 days since George was born, he's made us smile just as many times (who doesn't love those little chubby cheeks)?! Let's take a look back on the biggest moments from the b-day boy's first year!

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His First Hello: Prince George was born July 22, 2013 (late!), and one day after that, his proud mum and dad introduced him to the world on the steps of St. Mary's Hospital.

When he was two days old, Kate and William revealed his namePrince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge

TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

His First Official Photos: It wasn't long before Prince George was ready for his closeup! On Aug. 19, 2013, his first official portraits were released. The sweet family snaps, taken by grandpa Michael Middleton at the family's Buckleburg estate, also featured Kate, William and the family dog, Lupo.

John Stillwell - WPA Pool /Getty Images

His Christening: On Oct. 23, 2013, Prince George was baptized in the Chapel Royal at St James' Palace. Queen Elizabeth II as well as other members of the royal family, godparents and other relatives were in attendance for the momentous occasion.

Anthony Devlin/PA Wire/Press Association via AP Images

His First Royal Tour: Flying with a baby is tough, but flying Down Under with a baby is even tougher! That said, Prince George didn't look any worse for the wear on April, 6, 2014, when he and his parents landed in Wellington, New Zealand, making the start of his first-ever royal tour.

Getty Images

His First Royal Playdate: A natural-born leader, George seemed to enjoy palling around with other babies near his age at Plunkett's Parents Group playdate at Government House in Wellington, New Zealand.

REUTERS/Phil Noble/This photo of a minor was taken at a public event.

His First Marriage Proposals: William's commoner peers were thrilled to have a royal in their midst, too, it seemed. Throughout his 3-week tour of New Zealand and Australia,  there were multiple young ladies already wanting to say "I do" to George!

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

His First Bilby: George met George, a nocturnal marsupial indigenous to Australia, during his April 20, 2014, visit to Sydney's Taronga Zoo. George (the human) was understandably excited to meet George (the bilby)—so much so, in fact, that Kate was worried he might grab on to his namesake's ear!

His First Photoshop Controversy: Nine months old seems a little young for airbrushing, doesn't it?! Well, the New York Post's Page Six seemed to think the May 5 Us Weekly cover featuring Prince George had been "enhanced" to make him appear to have "rosier cheeks and stronger strawberry-blond-tinged hair and brows." Not so, said the tabloid! Because the original image "was dark and bluish in tone, [it] needed to be given an overall color shift for printing purposes," said Us Weekly, adding, "By no means did we go in and alter the color of his eyes or cheeks in this process."

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His First Steps*: Prince George was walking—with a little help from Kate—when the twosome cheered on William at his June 15 (Father's Day) polo match. Just days before during a visit tothe National Maritime Museum at Greenwich in London, Kate revealed her little boy was walking own his own. Mom also said that one day, she'd like George to learn how to sail, too! 

His First Vanity Fair Cover: George's parents were also on the cover of the mag's August 2014 issue (and no, they didn't Photoshop William's hair!), but the feature itself was all about him! Inside the glossy, writer Katie Nicholl looked back at the young royal's first year!