Prince Louis delighted the crowds as he traveled to Westminster Abbey this morning for King Charles’s historic coronation – but he wasn’t in his seat for the entire ceremony.
The youngest Welsh sibling, five, was taken along for part of the service after joining his parents and Princess Charlotte in the procession to the abbey, but later reappeared for the national anthem.
While his nine-year-old brother Prince George, second in line to the throne, was a page of honor at the historic ceremony, the Prince and Princess of Wales had a special plan for their youngest son.
Some eagle-eyed royal fans saw Louis being taken from his seat next to Kate Middleton during the ceremony and wondered if he had been told off.
However, it was always the plan for the youngster to back off for some parts of the ceremony, which would have been a long time to sit still for the five-year-old.
Eagle-eyed fans caught the moment when the Princess of Wales crouched down to talk to her youngest son during the ceremony
After appearing very professional (and cheeky) during the procession, little Louis sat down with his sister Charlotte and next to his mother, the Princess of Wales.
He later took to the backstage for a break in what will be a very long day for the young royals.
Royal fans were quick to notice the Prince’s absence, with some wondering if he was retired for the remainder of the ceremony.
While some people suggested that the royal family was kicked out of line due to his cheeky antics, the plan was always for the youngster to take some time to rest away from the cameras during the momentous day.
“I need to know where Prince Louis has gone, I bet he was playing, bless his heat, it took him a long time to sit still, surprised he was there, I need to love him,” said one fan.
“Looks like we’ve lost Prince Louis, he’s done a great job,” said another.
“Looks like Prince Louis has been taken out of the chapel. Any parent who has tried to get a restless five-year-old to sit still for an hour will now sympathize with Kate and William,” one wrote.
However, Louis later returned to his seat for the latter part of the ceremony and was spotted during the national anthem.
Later in the ceremony, Prince Louis was nowhere to be seen when his father, sister and mother stood up to sing a hymn.
Kate Middleton stooped to talk to her son during the ceremony, before retreating backstage
Princess Charlotte watched as her mother checked in with her younger brother during the coronation
Only Princess Charlotte was spotted singing with her parents during part of the ceremony when Prince Louis had retired
While Prince George, nine, and Princess Charlotte, who turned eight this week, were on their best behavior at the Abbey, the younger generation of royals put their best foot forward to represent the family.
But at just five years old, it was decided in advance by Kate, 41, and William, 40, that Louis could only participate in part of the day.
Charles became the 40th reigning sovereign to be crowned at Westminster Abbey, in a ceremony dating back to William the Conqueror in 1066, when Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby placed the St. Edward’s Crown on his head.
The king then looked moved as Prince William paid him tribute, in a break from tradition, kneeling to take an oath loyal to his father.
He said: ‘I, William, Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty and faith and truth I will shew thee, as thy vassal of life and limb. So help me God.’
= Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, followed by Louis and Charlotte holding hands as they enter Westminster Abbey
Royal fans quickly noticed that Prince Louis had left his seat, noting that the ceremony would be a long one for a five-year-old
He then got up, touched the crown and kissed the king on the cheek. Charles was touched as he nodded to his son and said ‘amen’ and ‘thank you William’.
The historic coronation, which was watched around the world, was a fulfillment of the king’s destiny but followed the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, last September after a reign of 70 years.
Minutes later, Camilla was crowned. As Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s coronation song was sung, the Queen was officially enthroned. The Queen’s accession to the throne was a moment when Charles and Camilla were “united in their common calling before God.”
The monarch and his wife, Queen Camilla, had smiled at each other and at the congregation as they walked through the church before and after the Christian ceremony that dates back 1,000 years on a day dripping with glorious pageantry.