Prince William and Kate Middleton have released three official Christmas pictures of Prince George.

The photos were taken in late November and show Prince George in a courtyard at Kensington Palace.

The third-in-line to the throne celebrated his first birthday in July, and is now almost 17 months old.

The shots of Prince George were taken by Prince Harry’s private secretary Ed Lane Fox, who has also worked as a freelance photographer.

Prince William and Kate Middleton are releasing the images, in part, as a thank you to the media, who have not published any of the paparazzi pictures that have been taken of the prince.

The couple are said to be grateful that their request for their son to grow up without intrusion continues to be honored.

Prince William and Kate Middleton announced in September the Duchess of Cambridge was pregnant with a second child.

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