Prince George is facing questions about his artistic abilities after a bird drawing he created for a special edition of Country Life magazine, guest-edited by his father, Prince William, sparked controversy online. The 13-year-old royal’s artwork caught people’s attention for its striking resemblance to an illustration featured in an online drawing tutorial, prompting speculation about whether he had copied the original artist’s work. However, an art teacher has since stepped in to defend the young prince. Keep reading for more information.
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Prince George Draws A Bird For Prince William’s Magazine
Prince George’s drawing was included in a special 300-page edition of Country Life magazine, which was guest-edited by his father, Prince William. The issue featured contributions and photographs highlighting the royal family’s interests and activities, with George’s artwork offering a glimpse into the young prince’s creative side. However, his bird illustration soon attracted attention for reasons beyond his artistic abilities.
The drawing, which depicts a brightly colored kingfisher bird perched on a branch, was reportedly completed in spring 2025, when George was 12 years old. It features detailed pencilwork and shading, along with the bird’s distinctive blue and orange feathers. The artwork was included as a full-page feature in the magazine’s November 11 issue, with Kensington Palace credited for the image.
Readers soon began pointing out that George’s illustration looked remarkably similar to a kingfisher featured in an online drawing lesson from The Virtual Instructor, an art education platform founded by artist Matt Fussell. The tutorial, which walks students through creating a similar image, dates back several years. Fussell told USA Today that he was immediately struck by the resemblance, although he could not confirm whether George had actually used his lesson. He added that he would be thrilled if the tutorial had helped inspire the young royal’s artwork.
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Social Media Reactions
Across social media platforms, many users immediately came to Prince George’s defense: “So he did an art tutorial and aced it,” one user wrote on Instagram. “And? Well done.”
“Unless he literally just downloaded the original picture and claimed it as his own he did something any other child (or any adult) would do: Follow an online tutorial on how to draw a bird,” wrote another. “Doesn’t seem like such a terrible thing to do.”
“When I was a child, I wasn’t good at creating my own drawings,” another user shared. “But I could make beautiful drawings by looking at other drawings. He’s still a pre-teen, developing his skills and there are striking similarities. Don’t be so cruel to him.”
“Copying professional artworks is a common way to learn the skills,” agreed the next. “This is clearly not a cut and paste of the professional artwork but a very talented recreation. The boy clearly takes after his artistic grandfather.”
“Yeah, it’s called learning,” a final user wrote. “Move along.”
