Palace celebrates Prince Louis with new birthday photos
<p>The royal family have celebrated Prince Louis’ fifth birthday with two new pictures of the young royal shared to social media. </p>
<p>The images were posted to the official Prince and Princess of Wales Instagram account, and show a smiling Louis outdoors in a blue jumper - one on his own, and another with him sitting in a wheelbarrow, being pushed along by his mother, Kate. </p>
<p>“Someone’s turning 5 tomorrow … A very happy birthday to Prince Louis,” the post read, before going on to thank photographer Millie Pilkington for immortalising the prince’s happy moment. </p>
<p>Pilkington also shared the images to her own account, where she wrote that she was “excited to share with you a couple of portraits of Prince Louis, to celebrate his 5th birthday today.” </p>
<p>She noted that it was an honour to be entrusted with the milestone photoshoot, and wished Louis “the very happiest of birthdays.” </p>
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<p>It was a sentiment shared by hundreds across both comments sections, with fans of the royals flocking there to wish the young prince a happy birthday, and near as many noting the striking family resemblances they could see between Louis and his mother’s side of the family. </p>
<p>“Our baby isn’t a baby anymore,” wrote one. “Happy 5th Birthday to our Prince Louis! The best not-so-little boy.”</p>
<p>“These pictures are so beautiful!! Wishing a very happy 5th birthday to our big Prince Louis,” gushed another. “I hope he will have a super fun day surrounded by his family and friends! We all love you, Prince Louis.”</p>
<p>“Adorable!!! I think he looks so much like his grandfather Middleton,” one fan declared, to over 2,000 likes. </p>
<p>“Double of his Maternal Grandfather,” another said. </p>
<p>“He is beautiful & looks like his mum,” someone shared. “Happy 5th Birthday to Prince Louis!” </p>
<p>“Looks so much like his mama,” came one agreement. </p>
<p>Meanwhile, others were unable to hold back their shock that Louis had grown up so fast, with one writing, “HOW?! Where has the time gone?”</p>
<p>“5 already?!!” said another, to a chorus of like-minded surprise. </p>
<p>“How is their youngest 5?!” One other wanted to know. </p>
<p>Louis’ fifth birthday - on April 23 - falls just before his sister Charlotte’s on May 2. While their brother George - William and Kate’s eldest - celebrates his birthday on July 22. </p>
<p>The birthdays are likely a welcome change of pace for the family, who have been busy preparing ahead of King Charles III’s coronation on May 6. </p>
<p>And while Louis was not spotted at the late Queen’s state funeral - with many believing him to have been too young for the service - it has been reported that he will attend his grandfather’s coronation, accompanying his siblings in the procession from Westminster Abbey.</p>
<p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>