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.
Carole and Michael Middleton are the first visitors to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after the birth of their son.
Kate Middleton and Prince William earlier thanked hospital staff for their “tremendous” care.
It is understood the family will leave hospital on Tuesday evening or on Wednesday morning.
Gun salutes in Green Park and the Tower of London and the ringing of bells at Westminster Abbey have marked the birth of the third in line to the throne.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a 41-gun salute in Green Park at 14:00 BST, after riding past Buckingham Palace.
At the same time, the Honourable Artillery Company – the City of London’s army reserve regiment – fired a 62-gun salute from Gun Wharf at the Tower of London.
Carole and Michael Middleton are the first visitors to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after the birth of their son
Meanwhile, the church bells of Westminster Abbey, where William and Catherine were married in April 2011, began ringing out – a celebration set to last for three hours.
Carole and Michael Middleton arrived at private Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital, in Paddington, west London, by taxi shortly after 15:00 BST.
They were greeted by its lead clinician, Jonathan Ramsay, and paused briefly on the steps for the mass of photographers gathered outside before going inside.
Prince William was at the hospital for the birth at 16:24 BST on Monday, and stayed with his wife and son overnight.
Kensington Palace said in a statement: “Mother, son and father are all doing well.”
The couple said: “We would like to thank the staff at the Lindo Wing and the whole hospital for the tremendous care the three of us have received.
“We know it has been a very busy period for the hospital and we would like to thank everyone – staff, patients and visitors – for their understanding during this time.”
Prince William had earlier said the couple “could not be happier” following the birth of the 8lb 6oz boy.
There has been no word yet on what Kate Middleton and Prince William plan to name the royal baby.
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