The Prince and Princess of Wales have released a charming snap showing their son Prince Louis grinning for the camera to mark his sixth birthday today that was taken by mum, Kate in Windsor
The Prince and Princess of Wales have kept up their touching tradition by releasing a sweet new photo of youngest son Prince Louis to mark his sixth birthday.
The charming snap shows Louis grinning at the camera as he lies barefoot on a blanket on the grass. It was taken in the last few days in Windsor by Kate, who announced last month that she is undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer. It has become tradition for William and Kate to release photos of their children on their birthdays – although this time, the photo of Louis was posted straight to social media, marking a change in the way the Wales family usually issue these images.
The photo comes some six weeks after the furore surrounding the Mother’s Day portrait which the princess admitted editing. The family snap – the first official one showing Kate since her abdominal surgery in January – was withdrawn by picture agencies over concerns it had been manipulated after discrepancies were spotted in the photograph.
The princess took the blame and said apologised for the confusion in a statement that confirmed she had been experimenting with editing. Less than two weeks later, she issued an emotional video message to the nation, announcing she was undergoing chemotherapy after post-op tests found cancer had been present.
With this new photo, it is understood it has not been edited in any way – and there are several give away clues to show this appears to be the case. For example, a blade of grass seems to be on the blanket in front of the young prince, instead of being edited out. Similarly, Louis’ hair sticks up at the back, probably because it was blowing gently in the breeze. This has also has not been edited to look differently. The youngster also has red cheeks, suggesting he may have been running around playing before mum Kate snapped the photo.
The Wales family have had a challenging start to the year, with the princess’s major abdominal surgery, cancer diagnosis and treatment. The release of the portrait marks a change in the way William and Kate usually issue images for their children’s birthdays.
It was posted straight to social media on Louis’ actual birthday on Tuesday, rather than under embargo to the press the day before, as was the established pattern William and Kate have followed each year for all three of their children since they were born. It is understood to be due to the unprecedented time the family is experiencing.
William and Kate are said to be aware of the fact that they have asked for privacy during the princess’s recovery, but wanted to share the photograph on social media as a way to thank those who have sent birthday wishes. The same process is expected to be followed for Princess Charlotte’s birthday in May.
Louis goes to Lambrook School in Berkshire with his brother and sister and has recently returned to the classroom after the Easter break. It is likely a family birthday celebration, perhaps involving the prince’s grandparents, Carole and Michael Middleton, will be held after the youngster’s school day is over.
William and Kate’s youngest child is fourth in line to the throne and was born on St George’s Day, April 23, 2018, at the private Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, weighing 8lb 7oz. He was christened Louis Arthur Charles at 11 weeks old, by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, in the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, in front of friends and family.
