Prince George smiles in photo taken by Duchess Kate to mark his 8th birthday

By Katie Kindelan

Prince George is turning 8, and stealing the show in a new photo released to mark his birthday.

George, who was born on July 22, 2013, was photographed earlier this month in Norfolk, England, where his family has a home.

George's mom, Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, took the photo that was released to mark his birthday on Thursday.

The Duchess Of Cambridge/Kensington Palace/AFP via Getty Images

This undated handout photograph taken by Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and released by Kensington Palace, July 21, 2021, shows Britain's Prince George of Cambridge, whose eighth birthday is on July 22, 2021, in Norfolk earlier this month.

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A post shared by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@dukeandduchessofcambridge)

George, the oldest child of Kate and Prince William's three children, was in the spotlight recently when he joined his parents at London's Wembley Stadium to watch England compete in the UEFA European Championship.

He watched England win in an earlier round but then saw the team lose to Italy in the finals earlier this month.

George will celebrate his birthday privately with his family, which also includes his younger sister, 6-year-old Princess Charlotte, and 3-year-old Prince Louis.

It has become a family tradition for Prince William and Duchess Kate to share new photos to mark the birthdays of each of their children.

Here is a look back at the photos of Prince George released each year for his birthday.

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A post shared by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@dukeandduchessofcambridge)

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A post shared by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@dukeandduchessofcambridge)

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to share a new photograph of Prince George to mark his fifth birthday – thank you everyone for your lovely messages 🎈

📷 @mattporteous pic.twitter.com/KJ4c73ospG

— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) July 21, 2018

The Duke and Duchess are delighted to share a new official portrait of Prince George to mark HRH's 4th birthday tomorrow 🎈 pic.twitter.com/Fct5iaoEer

— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) July 21, 2017

The Duke and Duchess thank everyone for all the lovely birthday messages they have received for Prince George. pic.twitter.com/DAX6RQmbg6

— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) July 22, 2016

Look who's turning two tomorrow! #HappyBirthdayPrinceGeorge pic.twitter.com/M0vVDjfHpy

— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) July 21, 2015

John Stillwel/WPA/Getty Images, FILE

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge holds Prince George as he and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge's look on while visiting the Sensational Butterflies exhibition at the Natural History Museum, July 2, 2014, in London.