Kensington Palace has released an endearing new photograph of Prince Louis to mark his seventh birthday, delighting royal fans worldwide. The cheerful image, taken by Yorkshire-born photographer Josh Shinner earlier this month in Norfolk, captures the young royal’s trademark charm — sitting on a tree trunk, grinning from ear to ear with a gap where his front teeth once were.
Wearing a checked shirt, dark green jumper, and blue jeans, Prince Louis beams against a sea of springtime bluebells, the very picture of playful innocence. The image was shared across the Prince and Princess of Wales’s official social media accounts this morning (23 April), as part of a now-cherished tradition of releasing personal birthday portraits.
A New Photographer Following Recent Scrutiny
While Princess Kate has historically photographed many of her children’s milestone moments, the decision to commission Shinner — who also took the family’s 2023 Christmas card photo — signals a careful approach after last year’s photo-editing controversy. The Mother’s Day image shared in 2024, which was later revealed to have been digitally altered by the Princess, sparked a wave of criticism and prompted a pledge to handle future portraits more transparently.
Shinner’s unedited portrait provides a polished but natural glimpse of the young royal, a balance the family seems eager to strike.
Social Media Adoration
Public reaction to the photo has been swift and overwhelmingly positive. On X (formerly Twitter), fans gushed over the young prince’s charming smile and grown-up appearance. “Happy Birthday Louis, so like Grandpa Middleton,” one user noted, referencing a resemblance to Kate’s father, Michael Middleton. Another wrote: “Such a handsome and adorable little fellow! I love the picture!!”
The image has also prompted some bittersweet reflections. “It’s bittersweet seeing him grow so fast — feels like yesterday he was a toddler,” one Reddit user commented, echoing the sentiments of many royal watchers who have followed Prince Louis from his earliest public appearances.
A Royal Custom Continues
Prince Louis was born on 23 April 2018 at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London. His birthdays have consistently been marked by official portraits — often snapped by his mother — offering the public a rare but welcome window into the Wales children’s lives.
This year, birthday celebrations are expected to remain low-key and family-focused, with reports suggesting Kate will continue her tradition of baking a homemade cake — a ritual she’s spoken about lovingly in the past. The family now resides at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, a move made in 2022 to give the children more space and a greater sense of normalcy.
Life at Seven for Prince Louis
Prince Louis currently attends Lambrook School in Berkshire alongside siblings Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Despite his royal status, Louis has become known for his down-to-earth personality and spirited antics during public events, most memorably during Trooping the Colour, where his cheeky expressions often steal the show.
The young prince’s birthday coincides with a busy stretch for his parents, who are scheduled to embark on a two-day visit to the Scottish Isles next week, continuing their work on environmental and community initiatives.
While Prince Louis may be fourth in line to the throne, public affection for him is firmly rooted in his relatability. As one X user aptly put it: “He’s got the best of both worlds — royal life, but still a kid who loves to play.”
According to a 2024 YouGov poll, the Prince and Princess of Wales continue to enjoy strong public support, with 68% of Britons holding a positive view — a reflection of the enduring popularity of their young family.
As Prince Louis celebrates his seventh birthday, this new portrait captures more than just a moment — it’s a reminder of a modern monarchy that continues to balance duty, tradition, and family warmth in the public eye.
