Britain’s little prince marks big milestone
LONDON – The palace is releasing special pictures, the Royal Mint is striking a commemorative coin and newspapers are publishing glowing tributes. What’s all the fuss about? A little boy who will be king.
Prince George turned 1 on Tuesday. While he may be too young to appreciate it, the milestone was a national event.
Prince William and his wife, Kate, who planned a small party at Kensington Palace, have said little in public about parenting, but here are some things we know about the lad:
Walking: Official photos taken at the Natural History Museum in London show that George can walk perfectly well on his own, thank you very much. And George looks awfully proud of himself as he takes confident steps and raises his arms in triumph. Dressed in bib overalls and a blue shirt, he seems to be growing by leaps and bounds.
Fashion clout: Kate often chooses matching outfits for the boy: blue shorts, striped blue-and-white shirts, and blue socks and shoes, for example.
He has helped spawn mini-trends for mini-kids, popularizing cardigan sweaters, safari-style shorts and striped overalls. George is also big on sailor outfits with a nautical motif, leading some to speculate whether he will follow his grandfather, Prince Charles, into the Royal Navy.
‘Young Winston Churchill’: Perhaps few others see the resemblance, but Prince Harry thinks that Prince George looks “like a young Winston Churchill.” He was referring to George’s “big, chubby cheeks” and perhaps the boy’s commanding demeanor. Thanks to George’s arrival, Harry is no longer third in line for the throne – that honor goes to George now.
One newspaper noted that George has become the second-most popular name in Britain, just behind William.
Solo act: William and Kate have expressed an interest in having more children but have otherwise kept their plans private. Asked in March whether they are planning to give George a sibling, William said: “Maybe one day. One’s enough at the moment.”
The birthday bunch
Radio personality Don Imus is 74. Singer-songwriter John Hall is 66. Rock musician Blair Thornton (Bachman Turner Overdrive) is 64. Actor Woody Harrelson is 53. Country singer Alison Krauss is 43. Actress Kathryn Hahn is 41. Rhythm-and-blues singer Michelle Williams is 34. Actor Daniel Radcliffe is 25.