Children have a way of reminding us just how quickly time flies.
During a recent visit to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at Royal Air Force Coningsby, Prince George made a rare public appearance alongside his mother, Princess Kate. While the visit honoured Britain's Armed Forces Day, many royal watchers noticed something else — the 12-year-old is now almost as tall as his mum.
The Prince and Princess of Wales shared moments from the visit on Instagram, showing George and Kate taking turns sitting inside the cockpits of historic aircraft while meeting the pilots and engineers who preserve their legacy.
The post paid tribute to the courage and dedication of those who have served, describing the visit as a reminder of the history and sacrifice behind the aircraft.
For many parents, however, the outing also captured something deeply familiar: the quiet moment when you suddenly realise your child is no longer so little.
George, who turns 13 next month, is also preparing for another major milestone. Kensington Palace recently confirmed that he will begin attending Eton College this September, following in the footsteps of his father, Prince William, and uncle, Prince Harry.
After attending Lambrook School alongside his younger siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, George is about to begin a new chapter at one of Britain's most prestigious boarding schools.
Watching children grow often comes with mixed emotions. One day you're holding their hand, and before you know it, they're standing shoulder to shoulder with you, ready to take their next step towards independence.