Prince Louis, the youngest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales, has marked his eighth birthday with a new photograph released by Kensington Palace.
The image, shared on the royal family’s official social media pages, shows the young prince looking noticeably more grown up as he poses confidently during a family holiday in Cornwall earlier this month.
Taken by photographer Matt Porteous, a long-time royal favourite, the portrait captures Louis standing with his arms crossed, smiling at the camera against a calm seaside backdrop. He is dressed in a blue knitted quarter-zip jumper with rolled-up sleeves, giving a relaxed but mature look for his age.
The photo was reportedly taken during an Easter break family trip. A subtle scratch can be seen on his right cheek, adding to the candid and natural feel of the image. The caption shared alongside the photo simply read: “Happy birthday, Louis! 8 today!” followed by a red balloon emoji.
Matt Porteous has been behind several memorable royal family moments over the years, including official portraits and private family milestones.
The release of this year’s birthday photo also continues a slight shift in tradition, as previous portraits were often taken by the Princess of Wales herself, who is known for photographing her children on their birthdays.
