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Barefoot Prince George celebrates his third birthday today with four stunning new photographs released by Kensington Palace.
The little prince, third in line to the throne, can be seen in four shots playing at his parents' country home, Anmer Hall.
And while all the attention may be on the youngster today, people are wondering who the man honoured with capturing the young royal's special day is.
Who IS Matt Porteous? This Jersey-based photographer was the man behind Prince George's third birthday snaps released by the Palace today
In recent years the royal household has often issued pictures taken of the Royal children by their keen amateur photographer mother, the Duchess of Cambridge. This time, however, they were taken by a professional photographer, Matt Porteous.
So who is the man behind the lens? Matt is - until now - an unknown award-winning photographer, from Jersey who dubs himself a 'commercial lifestyle, wedding and underwater photographer' in an online profile.
'My experience comes from traveling the world, being inspired by fantastic sites, wonderful people and inspirational mentors,' he said.
As his website explains: 'As a young boy, Matt showed an unusual interest in photography and in his parent's photo albums. His first yellow, underwater Minolta accompanied him everywhere. It was through that simple lens that he learnt to capture the sublime beauty of nature.
Barefoot Prince George celebrates his third birthday today with four stunning new photographs released by Kensington Palace
The little prince, third in line to the throne, can be seen in four shots playing at his parents' country home, Anmer Hall
Matt is an award-winning photographer from Jersey who dubs himself a 'commercial lifestyle, wedding and underwater photographer'
Matt' s work, which is featured on his website, shows how he captures subjects under water - a far cry from the snaps of Prince George
'Matt's love and delight in his surroundings is evident in his work. He captures and reveals the expression and detail that is seldom evident to the naked eye. His images are alive with emotion and movement; he enters the world of that image and allows us a glimpse of his excitement, his humour, his soul.
'His mentors, close friends and travel opportunities have all influenced his approach to his work over the past 20 years. He is passionate about his photography and always has been.
'The love he has for his work, the people and places that he encounters along the way is apparent in the detail and perspective, in the stories he tells in his photographs.'
The brunette snapper also works as a director of a company call ed Studio_M.
The professional photographer has won many awards for sports, travel and wedding photography in the UK.
Speaking about capturing the toddler, Matt 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.'
One mentor said: 'His images are alive with emotion and movement; he enters the world of that image and allows us a glimpse of his excitement, his humour, his soul'
His mentors, close friends and travel opportunities have apparently all influenced his approach to his work over the past 20 years
The brunette snapper also works as a director of a company called Studio_M
A spokesman for Kensingto n Palace said: 'The Duke and Duchess hope that people will enjoy seeing these new photographs. They would like to thank everyone for all lovely messages they have received as Prince George celebrates his third birthday.'
The little prince, third in line to the throne, can be seen in two shots playing on a swing in casual shorts and a T-shirt at his parents' country home, Anmer Hall, that is inscribed with their names, William and Catherine. It is believed to have been a wedding gift to the couple.
Another equally casual shot shows him cheekily offering an ice cream to the family's dog, spaniel Lupo.
A fourth shows George running through the gardens, this time wearing a £29.40 jumper by Pepa & Co - a brand Kate turns to time and time again - and his favourite Trotters shoes.
The three-year-old today enjoyed a birthday party with all the trimmings at the family's Norfolk mansion, Anmer Hall. He was joined by his grandparents, Michael and Carole Middleton, as well as friends from his nearby Montessori School, Westacre.
Fortunately for the mischievous toddler, who is third in line to the throne, granny and grandpa run one of the country's most successful online party goods companies – which helpfully sells a range of 3rd birthday-themed balloons, banners, sparklers and even piñatas – so the day is bound to go with a swing.
Born at the private Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital on July 22 2013, George was, apparently, quite a handful as a baby and caused the Duke and Duchess endless sleepless nights.
An equally energetic toddler, it seems as if becoming an elder brother to sister Princess Charlotte, one, has calmed the little prince down somewhat.
Recently Kate described her son as being a 'reall y lovely little boy' and admitted that her daughter may look cute but was developing 'quite a feisty side'. She even said she hoped that George 'would keep Charlotte in order!'
And on a series of recent public engagements, including an appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony after Trooping the Colour and a visit to a country air show, the little future king has conducted himself with aplomb.
George's first birthday was marked with a party at their 20-room apartment in Kensington Palace with his great-grandmother, the Queen, as guest of honour, and a tuneful rendition of 'Happy Birthday' by the band of the Irish Guards.
But since then then William and Kate have made Anmer their main base and have celebrated all their major family events there.
The ten bedroom Georgian mansion, which was a gift from the Queen and underwent a multi-million refit before they moved in, has its own swimming pool and tennis court and is in set in acres of glorious parkland.
As part of the Queen's Sandringham Estate, it provides the Cambridges's with the privacy and seclusion they crave for their family.
The adorable snaps were taken by photographer Matt Porteous at the family's home in Norfolk in mid-July
Prince George, who celebrates his third birthday today, was seen standing on a swing engraved with his parent's names
Source: Who IS Matt Porteous? The rather dashing Jersey-based photographer behind Prince George's third birthday snaps is more accustomed to shooting underwater or at weddings
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