Palace celebrates Prince Louis with new birthday photos
The royal family have celebrated Prince Louis’ fifth birthday with two new pictures of the young royal shared to social media.
The images were posted to the official Prince and Princess of Wales Instagram account, and show a smiling Louis outdoors in a blue jumper - one on his own, and another with him sitting in a wheelbarrow, being pushed along by his mother, Kate.
“Someone’s turning 5 tomorrow … A very happy birthday to Prince Louis,” the post read, before going on to thank photographer Millie Pilkington for immortalising the prince’s happy moment.
Pilkington also shared the images to her own account, where she wrote that she was “excited to share with you a couple of portraits of Prince Louis, to celebrate his 5th birthday today.”
She noted that it was an honour to be entrusted with the milestone photoshoot, and wished Louis “the very happiest of birthdays.”
It was a sentiment shared by hundreds across both comments sections, with fans of the royals flocking there to wish the young prince a happy birthday, and near as many noting the striking family resemblances they could see between Louis and his mother’s side of the family.
“Our baby isn’t a baby anymore,” wrote one. “Happy 5th Birthday to our Prince Louis! The best not-so-little boy.”
“These pictures are so beautiful!! Wishing a very happy 5th birthday to our big Prince Louis,” gushed another. “I hope he will have a super fun day surrounded by his family and friends! We all love you, Prince Louis.”
“Adorable!!! I think he looks so much like his grandfather Middleton,” one fan declared, to over 2,000 likes.
“Double of his Maternal Grandfather,” another said.
“He is beautiful & looks like his mum,” someone shared. “Happy 5th Birthday to Prince Louis!”
“Looks so much like his mama,” came one agreement.
Meanwhile, others were unable to hold back their shock that Louis had grown up so fast, with one writing, “HOW?! Where has the time gone?”
“5 already?!!” said another, to a chorus of like-minded surprise.
“How is their youngest 5?!” One other wanted to know.
Louis’ fifth birthday - on April 23 - falls just before his sister Charlotte’s on May 2. While their brother George - William and Kate’s eldest - celebrates his birthday on July 22.
The birthdays are likely a welcome change of pace for the family, who have been busy preparing ahead of King Charles III’s coronation on May 6.
And while Louis was not spotted at the late Queen’s state funeral - with many believing him to have been too young for the service - it has been reported that he will attend his grandfather’s coronation, accompanying his siblings in the procession from Westminster Abbey.
Images: Instagram