Prince George beams in never-before-seen snap to mark his 12th birthday

Prince George turns12 today - and a brand new picture of him has been released by the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The never-before-seen photo showing George outdoors, smiling and leaning on a rustic wooden gate, wearing a checked shirt, gilet and a friendship bracelet on his left wrist, has been posted on his parents' social media accounts today to mark his birthday. The picture was taken earlier this year in Norfolk by photographer Josh Shinner, who also tooka recent birthday portrait of Prince Louis.

The new picture, which was was accompanied by the message: "Happy 12th Birthday to Prince George!" followed by a cake emoji, comes as George and his siblings Princess Charlotte and Louis are enjoying the long summer break from school alongside their parents, who are also on their summer break from royal duties.

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George's last big public outing came alongside sister Charlotte when they both accompanied their parents William and Kate to the Wimbledon men's singles final, where they watched Jannik Sinner beat Carlos Alcaraz to take the title.

Before that he took part in Trooping the Colour last month as well as VE Day commemorations in May, carrying out his most high-profile engagement to date by joining a veterans tea party and listening to their stories.

Of course, George, a future King doesn't have to walk this path of royal duty alone, with Kate and William with him every step of the way as he approaches his teenage years. Even though his public profile will only increase, George's parents are determined for him and his siblings to have as normal an upbringing as possible.

And according to former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond, despite the seeming uptick in public appearances, his parents will be keen for him to continue to grow up out of the direct spotlight.

She told the Mirror: "There is plenty of time to get him used to the idea that his will be a very public role for the rest of his life. I'm sure we'll see him from time to time, especially with all the emotional turmoil he must have been through in the past 18 months with his mother's illness, he deserves to enjoy what's left of his childhood away from the public gaze as much as possible."

The coming weeks are likely to see speculation ramp up about which secondary school George will attend, and Jennie believes it will be a tough decision for William and Kate, who will be considering what is best for Charlotte and Louis as well.

But for now, the Prince and Princess of Wales will no doubt focus on celebrating George's 12th birthday, with plenty of treats in store for the young lad.

She explains: "George is lucky to have been born in high summer and during what is normally the school holidays. So the family is free to enjoy an all-day celebration as the young prince stands on the threshold of becoming a teenager.

"It's a day they may well want to share with Granny and grandad Middleton, and perhaps with their Middleton cousins. Perhaps a family barbecue? A few games in the garden. A beach picnic? Or maybe an adventure. We have learned that George has already had a flying lesson, so perhaps he'll be gifted more. That would be super cool for a tweenager."

George is William and Kate's oldest child and is second in line to the throne. He was born on July 22, 2013 at the private Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, weighing 8lb 6oz.

He was christened George Alexander Louis at the Chapel Royal at St James' Palace with his godparents including his father's cousin Zara Tindall, the wealthy landowner the Duke of Westminster, Hugh Grosvenor, and his late grandmother Princess Diana's friend, Julia Samuel.