The Prince and Princess of Wales are celebrating a major family milestone today as their youngest child, Prince Louis, turns eight years old. To mark the occasion, Prince William and Kate released a new portrait of the young royal on their official social media channels, captioning it: 'Happy birthday, Louis! 8 today!'
The stunning photograph, taken by family photographer Matt Porteous, shows a beaming Prince Louis against the picturesque backdrop of the Cornish coast, where the family enjoyed a quiet getaway earlier this month. Louis, wearing a smart blue textured quarter-zip, leans against a metal boat gate with his arms folded, looking remarkably grown-up.
Prince Louis Arthur Charles was born on 23 April 2018 at the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London. Over the years, he has become a fan favourite for his cheeky personality and scene-stealing moments at major royal events, including the Platinum Jubilee and the King's Coronation.
As his birthday falls on a Thursday, Louis will likely spend the daytime celebrating with friends at Lambrook School in Berkshire, where he is a pupil alongside his siblings George and Charlotte. The family will mark the occasion privately at home later. Kate, who loves baking, has previously said that making the children's cakes from scratch has become a tradition: 'I stay up until midnight with ridiculous amounts of cake mix and icing. But I love it.'
Louis's birthday kicks off a busy period for the Wales family, with William and Kate's 15th wedding anniversary on 29 April and Princess Charlotte's 11th birthday on 2 May.
