Prince George: New Photos Of Royal Toddler

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have released three new photos of their son Prince George as he prepares to celebrate his second Christmas.

George, who is 17-months-old, is seen sitting in the courtyard at Kensington Palace in the photos taken last month.

The pictures are the first official images released by the royal family since George's first birthday in July when he was shown at a butterfly exhibition at London's Natural History Museum.

In the new photos, he is wearing a blue sleeveless jumper featuring marching guardsmen complete with bearskins and red tunics.

He also has a white top and dark shorts and matching socks and shoes.

In one of the pictures, George has a quizzical look and is gesturing with his right hand as if about to make an announcement.

In another, he sits back with a grin on his face, and in the third stares at something out of shot.

The Duke and Duchess did not give a reason for releasing the photos.

But it is thought to be a way of thanking the news media for honouring their request to let George grow up without being hounded by photographers.

Earlier this year, he joined his parents on a three-week tour of Australia and New Zealand.

He did not accompany them on their recent visit to New York, however.

The next milestone in George's life will be the birth of his brother or sister, due in late April.