LONDON (The Borowitz Report)—Britain’s Prince George, who is celebrating his first birthday this week, is facing a rising chorus of criticism within the United Kingdom, with many calling the first year of his reign a major disappointment.

Alistair Strott, a journalist and one of George’s most outspoken critics, calls the Prince’s first year “long on hype and short on solid achievement.”

“Like a lot of us, I followed the royal birth last year with a great deal of excitement and anticipation,” says Strott. “But one year in, we all have to look at each other and say, ‘That’s it?’ ”

While defenders of Prince George cite a packed schedule of events during his first year, Strott is unimpressed. “Yes, he’s been on TV and magazine covers,” he says. “So have the Kardashians.”

The journalist is not alone in criticizing Prince George, as a recent U.K. poll called his inaugural year the worst first year for a royal baby since the Second World War.

Strott acknowledged that George had spent much of his first year in office learning to walk, but added, “If he’s learned to talk, he certainly hasn’t said anything memorable.”

On most of the major issues facing Britain today, from unemployment to its relationship with the European Union, “George has been missing in action,” Strott says.

Buckingham Palace has already started the drumbeat of publicity for Prince George’s second year, but Strott remains skeptical. “People can call this child ‘royal’ if they like, but the word I’d choose is ‘overrated,’ ” he says.