Children's British Passport Renewal from the USA

[Flipflopper]

Good Day!

I am renewing all of the kids British passports in lieu of a move back to the UK.

Their current photos are from when they were 5 to 8 months old, now they are 4 and 5 years old. While there is some likeness they have obviously changed as they have grown up!

I see there are two schools of thought online, on one hand it's a renewal and as long as there is some likeness we are good to go. On the other hand if you are concerned, just get it countersigned.

Typically the counter signatory wouldn't be an issue but not many of our close friends would be considered professional, and the ones that are don't have US passports.

Any thoughts on how to proceed?