Secret signals Kate Middleton is sending with Prince Louis’ 6th birthday snap, revealed by a body language expert
PRINCESS Kate has shared an adorable photo of Prince Louis for his sixth birthday today, and sent a clear message, according to a body language pro.
The sweet image – shared on the Prince and Princess of Wales’ Instagram – shows their playful youngest son lying on his front outside in the garden.
In the photo Prince Louis can be seen wearing the Camel Check Oliver Shirt from Trotters, which typically retails for £50 but is currently down to £25 in their sale.
The young royal previously wore the same shirt for Kate’s Mother’s Day picture, which was pulled from several photo agencies over editing fears.
Body language expert Judi James told Fabulous: “The continuity comes from the choice of outfit and styling.
“There’s little change in the brand here and the check shirt seems to be a favourite of Louis who wore it or one similar for both the Mother’s Day portrait and his baby bank appearance.
“Again, this suggests some happy indulgence from his mum and dad, but the lack of change comes at a very important time in terms of royal signalling.”
Kate, who is also mum to Prince George, 10, and Princess Charlotte, eight, is currently recovering from her abdominal surgery in January and announced in March the doctors had found cancer.
Judi continued: “With both Kate and Charles unwell and with royal fans desperate to hear news but also keen to allow Kate some privacy, the familiarity of the outfit and the type of pose here would seem to prompt some feelings of relief.
“Fans want to hear than little or nothing has changed for Louis and his family and that they are working towards a full recovery for Kate.
“Seeing her smile mirrored in her son’s expression and noting that he’s still picking the same favourite shirt to wear could be seen as a sending out a positive message of reassurance.”
Snapped by Kate, the caption read: “Happy 6th Birthday, Prince Louis! Thank you for all the kind wishes today.”
Judi added: “Louis’s adorable head-tilt gesture here suggests likeability and his arms are crossed in a way that suggests he’s quite happy with his pose and the camera.
“It’s a calm and warm look from the often-boisterous prince.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales are said to be grateful for the birthday messages they have received for Louis.
Royal fans have shared their well wishes to Louis on Instagram, with one saying: “Happy Birthday Prince Louis! Time flies so fast. Have a wonderful day.”
Another added: “There’s so much personality in his face. I bet he is wonderful to have as your baby.”
Kate's sweet tradition for Louis' birthday
SHE may be a princess, but Kate Middleton is just like the rest of us when it comes to wanting to make a fuss about her children on their birthdays.
Back in 2019, the royal appeared in Mary Berry‘s A Berry Royal Christmas and revealed that she “loves” making her children’s birthday cakes from scratch – and it’s now become somewhat of a household tradition.
“It’s become a bit of a tradition that I stay up ’til midnight with ridiculous amounts of cake mix and icing and I make far too much,” she said.
“But I love it,” she added.
And with her daughter Charlotte’s ninth birthday in just a week’s time on May 2, it’s likely she’ll be keeping herself busy in the kitchen.
Royal expert Danielle Stacey told Hello: “The Princess of Wales’s number one priority has always been her children.
“She has been supporting George, Charlotte and Louis through all their major milestones, including George’s first big exams last year.
“We’ve seen the Princess take some incredibly fun and playful portraits of her children over the years and baking their birthday cakes.
“She’s likely to feel that it’s important to keep those traditions going to maintain a sense of normality.”
As the Easter holidays have finished, the young prince will be spending the day at £7,000-a-term Lambrook School with his siblings, but will celebrate when he returns to their family home, Adelaide Cottage.
According to former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond, the young royal will be treated to a cake by Kate and he could have a rather unusual birthday menu.
Jennie told Fabulous: “William and Catherine are doing all they can to keep things as normal as possible during her treatment, so I’m sure the cake tins will be clattering as usual as Catherine tackles yet another birthday treat.
Fans want to hear than little or nothing has changed for Louis and his family and that they are working towards a full recovery for Kate
Judi James
“She loves to cook and to make a personalised cake for each of her children.”
Prince Louis has often stolen the show while joining his parents William and Kate on big royal occasions.
In December cheeky Louis blew out the candle being held by big sister Princess Charlotte in a service at Westminster Abbey.
The youngster was also snapped playing up during a carriage ride and balcony appearance at last year’s Trooping of the Colour.
Louis was seen wrinkling his face, pinching his nose, messing up his hair and pointing his finger at the sky en route to the ceremony.
Seeing her smile mirrored in her son’s expression and noting that he’s still picking the same favourite shirt to wear could be seen as a sending out a positive message of reassurance
Judi James
He even covered his ears and stretched his arms as he stood on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during an RAF flypast.
And the prince was also seen trying to distract his sister Charlotte as they chatted during their grandad’s coronation.
He was seen pulling cheeky faces outside the church before the historic ceremony began – before vanishing out of sight.
The young prince reappeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony, where he banged his fists on the wall and pulled more faces.
Why did William and Kate call their son Prince Louis?
As with most royal names, Prince Louis' one comes with a poignant meaning.
The name Louis – which originates from France and Germany – means “famous warrior’ or “famous in battle”.
Louis is one of his father Prince William‘s own middle names and was chosen by his father King Charles as tribute to his late mentor, Lord Louis Mountbatten.
The Earl was murdered in 1979 by an IRA bomb which was planted on his fishing boat during an outing with his family in County Sligo, Ireland.
Louis’ first middle name is Arthur and it comes from a long line of tradition.
Both his dad William and grandfather Charles have it as their middle name.
Louis has Charles as his second middle name, which is after King Charles.
As a toddler, the prince earned the nation’s love with his antics on the Buckingham Palace balcony during the Platinum Jubilee.
Royal expert Phil Dampier said: “It’s been a great year for little Prince Louis, who is becoming a star in his own right.
“He is a real live-wire and always seems to be up for a practical joke or a funny gesture towards his older siblings.
“Big sister Charlotte already looks like she has the measure of him, and keeps him just this side of over-exuberance.
“But as Prince Louis grows up we will all enjoy seeing how he turns out.”
In May last year Princess Kate let Louis’s family nickname slip on a visit to a scout hut in Slough.
Kate helped Louis while he tucked into some marshmallow s’mores by a campfire.
The doting mum can be heard saying: “Pop that on the fire Lou-bugs!”
Send your birthday wishes to Prince Louis by clicking here.