13 Times Prince George Was Britain’s Best Dressed Toddler

Happy Birthday, George!

Prince George on his third birthday

by Katie Rosseinsky |
Updated on

Can you believe it's been four years since the world's eyes were trained upon the balcony of the Lindo Wing, waiting for a first glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's first child, soon to be announced as Prince George Alexander Louis?

While the young prince, who turns four on July 22nd, is fast carving a niche as Great Britain's sassiest royal, he's also one of the best dressed toddlers in the public eye (not, we admit, a hugely crowded playing field, but certainly one which George rules over).

Just like his mother, Kate Middleton as his mum, little George has the power to make a knitted sweater, some T-bar shoes or a pair of charmingly retro shorts sell out in a matter of moments. He also has the nonchalance required of a true style icon: who else could get away with meeting the leader of the free world in their fluffy dressing gown?

To celebrate his fourth birthday, we've looked back at his ten best royal outfits. Brace yourself for a cuteness overload..

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13 Times Prince George Was Britain's Best Dressed Toddler

Prince George1 of 13
CREDIT: Instagram

1. When he tried a more casual look for his third birthday photos

We typically see George dressed up in formal, retro styles like knitted tank tops, smart shorts and knee socks - very sweet, but a little detatched from the average toddler's wardrobe. For official photographs released to celebrate his third birthday, we were pleased to see George dressed in cargo shorts and a striped tee from Brit brand Sunuva, and a very covetable Breton jumper with whale embellishment. Does it come in grown-up sizes?

Prince George2 of 13
CREDIT: Getty

2. When he wore his dressing gown to meet the Obamase

What does one wear to meet the President and First Lady of the United States of America? It's a sartorial dilemma that would puzzle even the most seasoned of style icons, but not George. For an evening with Barack and Michelle Obama, the Prince decided to keep it casual in a dressing gown by My First Years. Fair enough, given that he was probably being kept up past his bed time. The towel robe sold out in a matter of hours, but similar styles are still available on the site, priced at around £25. The rocking horse, however, will not be included.

Prince George3 of 13
CREDIT: Getty

3. When he was Pippa’s page boy

Leading the pack of page boys at Aunt Pippa's wedding, George was dressed in this charmingly old-fashioned ensemble from Spanish kidswear label Pepa & Co, which has fast become a go-to for the young royals (Princess Charlotte often wears the brand's classic smocked dresses in ditzy floral prints). Gold knickerbockers, a Peter Pan collar and a tiny white basket: it's certainly a capital 'L' Look, but one by which George remians resolutely nonplussed.

Prince George4 of 13
CREDIT: Instagram

4. When he headed off to nursery school

Even royals get their back-to-school gear from John Lewis. For his first day at Westacre Montessori School in Norfolk, the Prince was kitted out in a navy blue quilted jacket with a tartan hood from Britain's favourite department store. The coat was in fact a past season piece, from the brand's AW13 collection, removing the possibility of the usual online stampede to snap up some princely outerwear. Note the backpack in a complimentary shade of sky blue, too.

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CREDIT: Getty

5. When he wore a festive tank top

Nothing says 'tidings of comfort and joy' like a festive knit. For official Christmas photos in 2014, the Prince - then just 18 months old - was dressed in a knitted tank top with a guardsman motif by kitsch Brit label Cath Kidston. Already sold out online before the photos appeared, the brand rushed to restock the style, with many shoppers taking to eBay to snap it up. Once again, George - and his cheeky grin - demonstrated that he has just as much fashion klout as his mother.

Prince George6 of 13
CREDIT: Getty

6. When he recycled Prince William's old outfit

It's well documented that his mother is a strong advocate of recycling a favourite look, but for last year's Trooping the Colour celebrations, the Duchess (or whoever was in charge of the mini royals' wardrobe) went one step further, dressing George in a light blue romper suit originally worn by Prince William for Prince Harry's christening in 1984.

Prince George7 of 13
CREDIT: Getty

7. When he wore classic stripes to meet a bilby

Just like his mum, Prince George is a fan of classic blue and white stripes. He's been pictured in similar styles since, but this stripy polo from Rachel Riley, worn with blue shorts from the same brand for George's encounter with a bilby, is one of our favourites. What is a bilby, you ask? They're small - and sadly endangered - marsupials who live in the Australian desert, and the tiny chap in the picture was named George in the Prince's honour.

Prince George8 of 13
CREDIT: Getty

8. When his red shorts nodded to Prince William's childhood wardrobe

The royals love a fashion throwback, and this red shorts and white shirt combination, worn for the christening of Princess Charlotte, is no exception. Eagle-eyed Windsor fans noted that George's outfit was a near-replica of the one his father wore to meet his younger brother Prince Harry for the first time. The modern take on Wills' vintage outfit was the work of Rachel Riley (just like the look seen above).

Prince George9 of 13
CREDIT: Getty

9. When he brought back the vintage christening gown

Archbishop of Canterbury? Check. Westminster Abbey? Check. A royal christening is a big deal, and requires an appropriately fancy outfit. Tradition dictates that the baby in question wears this cream lacy robe, a replica of the gown commissioned by Queen Victoria for her oldest daughter's christening in 1841. The original was retired from use in 2004 (having previously been worn by Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, Prince William and every other royal born since then), and this replica was also worn by little sis Princess Charlotte for her christening in September 2015.

Prince George10 of 13
CREDIT: Getty

10. When he wore crawl-proof dungarees

Even dignified royal babies crawl every once in a while. George's red-and-white striped cropped dungarees are both fashionable and functional - and compliment his mum's classic Breton tee in a nice example of mum-and-baby twinning. Naturally, the Neck & Neck romper suit, initially priced at £24.99, sold out in less than 24 hours - such is the Prince George Effect...

Prince George11 of 13
CREDIT: Getty

11. When he accessorised with Nemo

What better way to nail garden party dressing than with an idiosyncratic colour pop in the form of a clownfish bubble dispenser? It's certainly a winning addition to George's usual jumper, shorts and socks combination - and one that seemingly provided the little Prince with hours of fun, too...

Prince George12 of 13
CREDIT: Getty

12. When he nailed ski style

For his first ever skiing holiday, George hit the (beginner) slopes in a navy blue winter ensemble, colour-coordinated with his father Prince William. His all-in-one ski suit was from high street outdoor pursuits store Mountain Warehouse, and was teamed with a red knitted bobble hat.

Prince George13 of 13
CREDIT: Getty

13. When he colour-coordinated with the rest of the family

For touchdown on the second part of their European tour, the Cambridge family stepped out in varying tones of the blue: from William's navy suit to Kate's significant choice of Prussian blue to Charlotte's cornflower dress and George's pale blue shirt, paired - of course - with navy shorts. Who said diplomatic dressing was just for mum and dad?

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