George, the ‘budding James Bond’: French media gush over stylish black-and-white Christmas card photo of the young prince, calling him ‘self-assured’ and an ‘apprentice gentleman’

French media are raving about Prince George's charm and good looks after he appeared in the Wales family's 2023 Christmas card photo.

Prince William and Kate Middleton's eldest son, 10, was seen earlier this week in a black and white family portrait on the front of their Christmas card this year.

After catching the attention of Royal fans around the world, the young prince has now caught the attention of Le Figaro Madame columnist Chloe Friedmann, who described him as a 'budding James Bond'.

She added that he appeared “confident” and no longer appeared as a “naughty schoolboy” but rather as an “apprentice gentleman.”

The image, which was shared to the family's Instagram account, shows William and Kate smiling next to Prince George, Prince Louis, five, and Princess Charlotte, eight, who are sitting on a chair at the front of the group.

Prince William and Kate Middleton's eldest son, 10, was seen earlier this week in a black and white family portrait on the front of their Christmas card this year

After catching the attention of Royal fans around the world, the young prince has now caught the attention of Le Figaro Madame columnist Chloe Friedmann, who described him as a 'budding James Bond' columnist.

In the article, Friedmann described how George was no longer an “industrious little boy, sometimes a rascal,” but had now become “a serious teenager, almost as tall as his mother on the royal card.”

She continues: 'The up-and-coming James Bond has chosen a relaxed attitude. So he shows up with his hand in his pocket, wearing an open Ralph Lauren shirt and his hair impeccably styled.

'Moreover, he seems very confident and has mastered the art of sideways glance wonderfully. The eldest Wales son has certainly just crossed a threshold.'

Friedmann also pointed out the resemblance that George has to his father William: “As we observe him thus, we tell ourselves that the little prince certainly takes after his father and quickly conquers the crowd.”

Such a comment was echoed earlier this week by royals fans, who were quick to point out that the young royal bears a striking resemblance to his father at the same age.

William, Kate and their children were photographed in Windsor earlier this year by acclaimed photographer Josh Shinner.

This year's card, while less formal than the King's, shows more restraint than some of their previously issued seasonal greetings.

William and Kate's first card as Prince and Princess of Wales was a relaxed affair – showed the couple with George, Charlotte and Louis, all in trainers, taking a stroll through Sandringham Estate, Norfolk.

The Prince and Princess of Wales's card last year (above) was a very relaxed affair – although the 2023 card remains far less formal than the one handed out by the Prince's father, King Charles.

The Princess of Wales was joined by her three children at Westminster Abbey on Friday, each holding candles in front of them. Together during the Christmas carol service

The photo was taken by one of their favorite and most trusted photographers, Matt Porteous, and showed a relaxed Kate in jeans, a broderie anglaise shirt and Superga pumps.

William and George wore Ralph Lauren shirts and polo shirts, and while the Prince of Wales opted for jeans, both George and Louis were dressed in chino shorts. Charlotte wore a denim playsuit with strawberry decorations.

Previous cards issued during their tenure as Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have also been relaxed and often colorful affairs, such as their 2018 card of them sitting on a tree trunk at Anmer Hall in Norfolk.

It also continues a tradition of relaxed festive greetings by the Prince of Wales – cards issued by Charles and Diana were also informal affairs.

With its subtle background, this year's card bears a remarkable resemblance to the one issued by Charles and Diana in 1984 – complete with a cheeky Prince William and a little Prince Harry, who was born in September that year.