We usually think of Summer as shorts season, but for Prince George of Cambridge, shorts season is all year round. Just like many of the royal customs that seem bizarre to us normal folk, shorts are not a fashion choice for George, but a rule. It's tradition for young royals to be dressed formally in public, and young boys are often dressed in shorts as a symbol of class [1], which is why we can always expect to see the 5-year-old prince sporting a pair, whether he's playing outside or attending the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony [2].
Of course, the internet collectively lost its mind [3] when George arrived at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle [4]'s wedding in May 2018 wearing trousers in public for the first time ever [5]. Trousers on a young boy may be considered "suburban" (as etiquette expert William Hanson told Harper's Bazaar), but as boys from the aristocracy near the age of 7, they are worn more regularly. Since George won't be wearing his cute shorts for much longer (he turns 6 on July 22!), let's take a moment to appreciate some of his best moments in shorts.
Prince George at the Government House in Wellington, New Zealand, in April 2014
Prince George at Wellington Airport in Wellington, New Zealand, in April 2014
Prince George at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia, in April 2014
Prince George at Fairbairne Airbase in Canberra, Australia, in April 2014
Prince George at Cirencester Park Polo Club in June 2014
Prince George at the Natural History Museum in London in July 2014
Prince George in Kensington Palace Courtyard For Official Christmas Picture in November 2014
Prince George at St. Mary's Hospital For the Birth of Princess Charlotte in May 2015
Prince George at Trooping the Colour Ceremony at Horse Guards Parade in June 2015
Prince George at the Beaufort Polo Club in June 2015
Prince George at Church of St. Mary Magdalene For the Christening of Princess Charlotte in July 2015
Prince George at The Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in July 2016
Prince George in Victoria, Canada, during Royal Tour in September 2016
Prince George at Maritime Helicopter Squadron in Victoria, Canada, in September 2016
Prince George at Children's Party For Military Families During the Royal Tour of Canada in September 2016
Prince George at Hamburg Airport in July 2017
Prince George at Berlin Tegel Airport in July 2017
Prince George at Warsaw Airport in July 2017
Prince George's First Day of School at Thomas's London Day School in September 2017
Prince George at the Beaufort Polo Club in June 2018
Prince George at the Chapel Royal, St. James's Palace For Prince Louis's Christening in July 2018