How cheeky birthday boy Prince Louis won the hearts of a nation. CLAUDIA CONNELL celebrates six years of charming fun – and laughter – as the youngest Wales blows out his candles…

For most people, it was probably his famous mischievous antics during the platinum anniversary celebrations that first endeared Prince Louis.

Adorable, confident and sassy, ​​the little boy has become a firm favorite with royal fans around the world, and his presence is guaranteed to brighten up any occasion.

Now the youngest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales has turned six. Here we bring you some Prince Louis appreciation as we look back at some favorite moments.

Polo match poser

Only 15 months old and his personality was already emerging. In July 2019, Catherine took all three children to see their father and uncle Harry play in a charity polo match.

Louis squeezes his mother’s sunglasses and delights the crowd by smiling, laughing and waddling off to chase horses. He was also seen waving to his new cousin Prince Archie, who was there with Meghan – likely the last time Louis and Archie met!

Messy paint game

Avid photographer Kate took this photo on the occasion of Prince Louis’s second birthday in April 2020.

Following the Instagram trend of posting ‘Insta vs Reality’ photos, the royals uploaded a photo of Louis’ painting, followed by this photo of him with paint smeared all over his face. A month into lockdown, Louis had created a rainbow artwork in appreciation of the NHS.

Beaming on his bike

In this portrait, taken on the occasion of his third birthday in April 2021, Louis looked very happy to be going to kindergarten.

Sitting on a balance bike, Louis was about to attend the first day at Willcocks Nursery School in Kensington, where big sister Charlotte also attended. The photo was taken by his proud mother, who has made it a tradition to take her children’s birthday photos.

What a star!

Four years old and already a small fashion icon. Mums everywhere were scrambling to get their hands on the trendy star-patterned jumper that Louis wore while playing on the beach in Norfolk, while mum, Kate, snapped away.

Unfortunately, Olivier’s cashmere sweater was an inheritance from big brother George and no longer available.

Flypas fun

Standing next to the late Queen in June 2022, Louis stole the show at the RAF flypast to mark Her Majesty’s 70th anniversary on the throne.

He saluted the planes and then shouted and put his hands on his ears as they flew overhead making an incredible noise. The Queen, who was usually a stickler for good behavior, was very amused by her adorable great-grandson.

Anniversary high jinx

The antics that launched a thousand memes and gifs! During the platinum anniversary pageant in June 2022, Louis let his mother down due to his energetic behavior.

He jumped in his chair, pulled his cousin’s hair, stole his sister’s candy, made faces and even put his hand over Kate’s mouth when she tried to pin him down.

Finally, the energetic boy was sent to sit on Grandpa Charles’ lap to give exhausted Kate a break.

Five-year fashion leader

Public demand forced Lallie London, the company that made Prince Louis’ £75 Fair Isle jumper, to stock it.

The sweater was several years old and once again a hand-me-down, but the retailer responded to demand and replenished its stock when this fifth birthday portrait of Louis being pushed in a wheelbarrow by Kate was released in April 2023.

At grandpa’s coronation

Kate and William made the wise decision not to let Louis attend all two hours of King Charles’ coronation last May.

He did, however, take part in the procession – appearing on the balcony looking dapper in his custom-made navy blue tunic from Dege and Skinner, and on his best behavior.

Target practice

The day after the coronation, the Wales family attended a Big Help Out initiative in Slough.

Everyone tried their hand at archery, with little Louis cheered on by his mother who revealed her adorable nickname for her son: ‘Loubug’. Loubug was not much of a fan of archery and preferred to drive a JCB excavator, and best of all. eating roasted marshmallows.

Trooping the color Treat

Big sister Charlotte kept her mischievous brother in check during the carriage ride at Trooping the Color last year.

She smiled as he held his nose after smelling a whiff of horse manure and then pointed to something in the crowd. But as we all know, it is the balcony where Louis comes into his own. He did not disappoint during the flypast and once again became the star as he saluted, pretended to fly the plane and jumped around.

Family Christmas

Smiling for the cameras, Prince Louis royal fans at Sandringham last December.

Dressed in a smart pea coat and tartan trousers, both from Trotters, he took cousin Mia’s hand as they walked from the house to the service. But look, all five-year-olds undoubtedly couldn’t wait to get back to his mountain of new toys.