Prince George’s 8th birthday photo features touching tribute to Prince Philip – here’s how people reacted

A new photograph of Prince George released by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to mark his 8th birthday includes a touching tribute to the late Prince Philip.

The image, which is taken by his mother, shows a beaming George wearing a navy and orange polo shirt matching navy shorts.

In the picture, the young prince is perched on the bonnet of a Land Rover Defender – seen as a sweet nod to the Duke of Edinburgh, who was associated with the vehicle.

As the car model was one of his favourites, the late prince even requested his coffin to be transported by one when he died.

“Just stick me in the back of a Land Rover and drive me to Windsor,” Prince Philip was reported to have said, according to the Mail on Sunday.

And the Royal Family did just that.

When Prince Philip died aged 99 in April this year, his coffin was transported by a specially adapted Land Rover Defender that the duke himself helped to design.

Royal fans loved the heartwarming tribute:

Every year, Kensington Palace releases updated photos of George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis taken by the duchess – who is a keen photographer – to mark milestones in her children’s lives.

The image was taken outdoors earlier this month at the Cambridges family home, Anmer Hall in Norfolk, Anmer Hall, which is close to the Queen’s Sandringham residence.

Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge was born in the private Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, at 4.24pm on July 22 2013, weighing 8lb 6oz.

A great-grandchild to the Queen, he will be the 43rd monarch since William the Conqueror obtained the crown of England if, as expected, he follows the reigns of his grandfather, the Prince of Wales, and then his father, William.