Prince George third birthday in pictures: Heir to throne relaxes in striped jumper and shorts

Heir to the British Royal throne Prince George turns three today and is celebrated in four new unseen photographs released by Kensington Palace on Friday (22 July 2016). The Royal toddler, third in line to the throne, looks relaxed in a striped jumper with an intarsia whale detail, linen shorts and T-bar shoes from Trotters as he plays in the garden of the family's Norfolk home, Anmer Hall.

The prince was also pictures playing on a swing in the family garden with the names of his parents 'William and Catherine' inscribed into the wood.

Taken on a sunny day, George looks happy as he stands barefoot in a striped T-shirt with dark blue pocket and blue chino shorts.

In the fourth shot, the little prince is pictured cheekily trying to feed some ice cream to the family dog, cocker spaniel, Lupo, as the pair sit on a plaid picnic blanket together.

In previous years, his mother Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, who is a keen photographer, has taken pictures of George, as well as his sister Charlotte. However, the royals enlisted professional photographer Matt Porteous this year to capture the young prince at home ahead of the celebrations for this third birthday, which follows on from the images taken by Mario Testino to mark his second birthday in 2015.

Porteous said: "I really enjoyed the opportunity to take these photographs of Prince George. It was a very relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. I'm honoured that they have decided to share these images with the public to mark his third birthday."

The family are expected to mark the occasion at Amner Hall today with his parents, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Whilst his first birthday party was held in the families residence in Kensington Palace with his great grand mother The Queen in attendance, Prince George's second birthday was also held in Anmer Hall, which is situated close to his godfather William Van Cutsem, who lives 40 minutes away in Hilborough.

Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge was born in the private Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital on 22 July 2013, weighing 8lbs 6oz.

The junior royal started nursery at the beginning of the year, attending Westacre Montessori nursery school situated close to their Norfolk home, and he is due to start school full-time in September 2017. The Duke and Duchess are yet to announce where he will be sent, however it has been rumoured that he will attend Wetherby prep, where William and Harry previously attended. The £6,500-a-term school is located in London, so a permanent relocation to Kensington Palace home would be imminent.