Prince George, 13, unveils colourful kingfisher drawing in William's magazine

Prince George's kingfisher artwork

Prince George is only 13 but is already showing an artistic side that appears to have a connection to his royal family's longstanding interest in art. The eldest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales has surprised the world and royal watchers with a colourful drawing he made of a kingfisher.

It was unveiled in a special edition of Country Life magazine guest-edited by his father, Prince William.More about the creative artwork

The artwork created by the prince features a brightly coloured kingfisher sitting on a branch. The painting was reportedly made at home in Forest Lodge, Windsor, during the spring of 2026. He was only 12 then. The picture has now found a place in the magazine's special 300-page edition, published in November 2026.Kingfisher is a bird famous for its striking blue and orange plumage. The painting is made using coloured pencils with attention to its colourful feathers, shading and details. The reveal has also drawn attention to the artistic interests within the royal family, particularly those of his grandfather, King Charles III, who is well known for his love of painting and watercolours.As per a report by ITV News, George enjoys drawing. The picture was shared by Kensington Palace, giving the public a rare look at the creative pursuits of the future king.

Interestingly, the drawing was not originally made for a magazine or public display. It was a personal creative exercise that eventually caught the attention of Prince William, who wanted to include it in the special issue he was preparing.A Kensington Palace spokesperson confirmed that George had agreed to his father's request to publish the picture.Prince William's Country Life edition gives George a special platformThe nearly 300-page collectors' edition is among the magazine's special royal editions and reflects the Prince of Wales's interests in the countryside, wildlife, conservation and rural communities.William spent approximately six months working on the publication, collaborating with the magazine's editorial team to select its stories and shape its content. The edition also features contributions and subjects connected to his personal life, including his memories of growing up at Highgrove, his love of Aston Villa football club and his family's enjoyment of spending time outdoors.George's drawing fits naturally into this theme. It connects the young prince's interest in art with his father's emphasis on nature and the countryside.The magazine also features an interview with the Princess of Wales, in which she discusses the importance of nature in her life and its role in her recovery from cancer. Her contribution explores how spending time outdoors can provide comfort, perspective and a sense of connection.King Charles and Prince George share an interest in art

The Kingfisher made by the prince

One of the most interesting aspects of George's newly revealed artwork is its connection to King Charles III.

The monarch has long been passionate about painting, particularly watercolours, and has developed a reputation as an accomplished amateur artist.According to the British royal family's official website, King Charles is an experienced watercolourist and a keen collector and patron of the arts. His interest in painting has been a longstanding part of his life, alongside his work supporting artistic organisations and institutions.As Prince of Wales, Charles also encouraged artists to accompany him on official overseas tours and document their experiences through their work. His involvement in the arts has continued throughout his reign.George's drawing has therefore brought attention to an artistic interest that runs through different generations of the royal family. While it is too early to know whether the young prince will pursue art beyond a hobby, the kingfisher picture has offered a glimpse of his creative abilities.

Prince George has shown an interest in drawing before

Prince George's Christmas painting (Credit: PA and Twitter/ @KensingtonRoyal)

This is not the first time George's artwork has attracted public attention.In 2022, when George was nine, the Prince and Princess of Wales shared a Christmas card featuring a painting of a reindeer in a snowy setting, accompanied by robins.In 2025, the royal family also shared four portrait sketches created during a creative activity involving Catherine and her three children.These glimpses suggest that creative activities have been part of the family's time together.