Royal Family releases Prince George Christmas pictures

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have released three official Christmas photographs of Prince George as token of thanks to the media, reports BBC News.

Third-in-line to the throne, the 17-month-old Prince George is seen in the pictures in a courtyard at Kensington Palace sporting black shorts, knee-high socks, navy blue baby shoes, a white shirt, and a Royal Guard jumper tank top sweater by British label Cath Kidston.

The souvenir Christmas photos of the young prince, dubbed 'His Royal Cuteness' by British media, were reportedly taken by Ed Lane Fox, a freelance photographer who also happens to be uncle Prince Harry's private secretary.

Moments after release of the Prince George Christmas pictures, Cath Kidton's Guards-themed tank top sold out. According to the London Evening Standard, the retail company is scrambling to restock following "huge demand" for it from customers. A subsequent post on the Cath Kidston Twitter page read: "They are now out of stock, we're looking into getting more." Customers who could not wait were referred to two other similar items - the "Stop Thief!" and the "Dogs" style tank tops which have both been reduced in price from £28 to £18.

A Cath Kidston spokesman confirmed to the Telegraph that the sold-out blue sleeveless jumper tank top, which featured marching guards in red tunics and bearskins, now made famous by Prince George would be added back into its kidswear range in 2015 "due to popular demand."

Parents who insist on dressing their children like Prince George have turned to eBay to join in the "fierce bidding wars." A report at the Daily Mail says that the Royal Guards-themed baby tank top now fetches at least twice the original price on the eBay auction block.

Media coined the term the "George effect" shortly after the prince was born when sales of the Aden + Anais branded swaddling blanket he was wrapped in as he left hospital rose by 600% in the following week according to the Telegraph. Other labels known to have benefited from the "George effect" include Petit Bateau, Rachel Riley, Les Petit Abeilles, and Neck & Neck.