Happy Birthday Prince Louis!
The youngest of the Cambridge kids is officially two years old! Prince Louis Arthur Charles was born April 23rd 2018 at St. Marys Hospital in London. He was introduced to the public just seven hours after his birth on the steps of the Lindo Wing, the same place both his older brother and sister were first seen by the world.
His birth was celebrated by flags being placed at royal residences as well as placing an easel outside of Buckingham Palace with a notice of the birth. His siblings came to visit him in hospital before the family returned to Kensington Palace that night. His name was announced four days after his birth via social media. Louis, meaning warrior, is a family name coming from Louis Mountbatten, The Duke of Edinburghs Uncle. His two middle names, Arthur and Charles are also family names. His younger cousin on his mothers side was named Arthur and it is a middle name both his father and grandfather have. Charles is his paternal grandfathers first name and a popular name for royal babies.
He was Christened on July 9th 2018 at St. James Palace. The service was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury and he wore the the replica of the traditional christening gown worn by royal babies since Princess Victoria.
Much of his immediate family was in attendance including Prince Charles and Camilla, Carole and Michael Middleton, Pippa and James Matthews, James Middleton, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Both of his older siblings and parents were also present and the occasion marked the first photos released to the public of the Cambridge's as a family of five.
Prince Louis was next seen in portraits celebrating his grandfathers 70th birthday. In the photos Louis is held by his smiling grandfather as well as seen making a grab for his nose in one of the more playful shots. The Cambridge's then released a Christmas Card photo at the end of 2018 which was taken at their family home in Norfolk. The 2018 Christmas Card spurred on the "boss baby" nickname for Prince Louis as well as the never ending debate of which patent he takes after more.
To mark his first birthday, Kensington Palace released three photos taken by the Duchess of Cambridge. In the shots, Louis was playing outside and showing off his two bottom teeth. Later in the year photos of the Cambridge kids were released playing in the garden that the Duchess of Cambridge helped design for the RHS. The photos showed that Louis was now walking and confirmed his love of playing out of doors.
He made his first appearance on the Buckingham Palace Balcony for Trooping the Colour in 2019 and showed the world he had already mastered the royal wave. Otherwise Prince Louis had a rather quiet year until the family Christmas Card photo was revealed. In it, Louis is getting a kiss on the cheek from his dad, Prince William, while Princess Charlotte held onto his shoulders.
Already this year fans have seen Louis joining in the #ClapforOurCarers celebration, alongside his siblings, to applaud the work that the NHS and other essential workers are doing during COVID-19.
To mark his second birthday, Kensington Palace released photos of Prince Louis that were taken by his mother. In them he is showing off rainbow painted hands as part of an art project he completed. Rainbows have become a symbol of hope in the fight against the current pandemic and the finished project was certainly adorable.
The Cambridge's surprised fans by releasing a clip of the entire family applauding care workers for #TheBigNightIn as part of the continued #ClapForOurCarers initiative. The video shows the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their three children outside of their home in Norfolk applauding for the workers who are putting their health on the line everyday to keep the rest of us safe. xx