Prince George Will Celebrate His Second Birthday With Private Party

Don’t expect Prince George of Cambridge’s second birthday to rival the media event that was his sister’s christening. Fans gathered outside the British royal family’s Sandringham Estate earlier this month to catch a glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, at their daughter Princess Charlotte’s christening, but according to palace insiders, the couple’s son’s birthday won’t be a fan-centered affair.

People is reporting that when Prince George turns 2 on Wednesday he will be celebrating at Anmer Hall, his family’s country home in Norfolk, England. “[They] are spending the day privately in Norfolk,” a source told the magazine.

The Telegraph reports that George will be surrounded by several family members and friends on his birthday, including his 2-month-old sibling. The guest list will include Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, and sister, Pippa Middleton. William’s father and his wife, Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, will not be in attendance as they’re currently on tour in southwestern England. The site reports that George's great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, whom he reportedly calls “nanny,” will not be the guest of honor as she was last year.

While the exact details surrounding the family’s plans for George’s big day are unknown, Carole, who co-owns the party planning company Party Pieces, recently hinted that the affair won’t be outlandish. “We’ve always believed that parties do not have to be lavish and expensive occasions,” she wrote in her Little London magazine column in May. “It’s amazing what you can achieve by being clever and creative.”

Prince George’s first birthday party was also a low-key affair. The family celebrated the momentous occasion with a Peter Rabbit-themed soiree at Kensington Palace in London, E! Online reports. While Queen Elizabeth II did attend the event -- reportedly staying for 50 minutes -- Prince Charles was absent.

While fans of the royal family will not be invited to attend the young prince’s birthday party, the palace did appease the public by releasing a new photo of the royal toddler on Tuesday. The image, snapped by photographer Mario Testino, was taken in the Sandringham House garden following Charlotte’s christening at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene on July 5.