The Romantic Story Behind Prince George's Favorite Swing
Standing barefoot on a swing engraved with the words "William and Catherine," (yes, it says Catherine, not Kate), Prince George looks ready for a ride in new pictures released on Friday to mark his third birthday.
Aside from capturing George's important milestone so adorably, the swing itself – made from solid oak, natural rope and hanging from a tree in the sprawling gardens of Anmer Hall, their family home in Norfolk, has a sentimental meaning for both Princess Kate and Prince William.
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"It was a wedding gift for Wills and Kate," an employee at The Oak & Rope Company, where it was purchased more than five years ago, tells PEOPLE. The Kent-based company, which specializes in personalized contemporary designs in hand-carved oak, says the medium-sized swing – which costs $373, takes two weeks to craft and is hand-engraved – can fit one adult or two children (perfect for the royal siblings!).
Prince George Is Turning 3 Years Old!
"We are very pleased," says the employee, who declined to reveal the gift-giver and says the company had no prior warning that their product would feature in the official portraits. "Our phones have been very busy today, and not surprisingly, mostly for swings!"
