Prince George first official pictures released

Prince George’s first official photographs have been released.

Prince George – who is third in line to the British throne – is pictured with his parents, Prince William and Kate Middleton.

The pictures were taken by the Duchess of Cambridge’s father, Michael Middleton, in the garden of their family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire.

Taken earlier this month, they show the royal couple, Prince George and their black cocker spaniel, Lupo.

Tilly, a golden retriever belonging to the Middleton family, can be seen lying down behind them.

The photographs of Prince George, who was born on July 22, were released by Kensington Palace.

Kate Middleton with Prince William and baby George joined by retriever Tilly and cocker spaniel Lupo

On Monday Prince William, giving his first interview since becoming a father, told CNN: “He’s a little bit of a rascal, I’ll put it that way.

“He either reminds me of my brother or me when I was younger, I’m not sure – but he’s doing very well at the moment.”

Renowned photographer Terry O’Neill said he thought the pictures were “absolutely charming”.

“It reminded me when I first started photography for myself – I just went for the light, and it was really interesting lighting. As a matter of fact when I heard about these pictures, I thought <<Who have they got to do these pictures>> – and the thought crossed my mind they might have asked the Queen because she’s quite a good photographer – I thought that would be one up to the paparazzi.”

The cultural and education manager of Magnum Photos, Fiona Rogers, told Radio 4’s Today programme the photograph of the couple and Prince George with the family’s dogs was “technically not the most accomplished photograph”.

“It’s a photograph that any one of us could have in our family albums,” she said.