Story perspectives

William, Kate Mark Prince Louis’s 8th Birthday Online

4/24/2026

Summary

William Celebrates Louis

Prince William and Catherine posted an Instagram portrait on April 23, 2026 to celebrate Prince Louis’s eighth birthday.
Matt Porteous photographed Louis smiling on a boat during a Cornwall holiday for the post.
The caption read “Happy birthday, Louis! 8 today!” and included a red balloon emoji.
A video showed Louis digging, playing cricket and jumping into water while wearing a blue Boden jumper with red trim.

Summary

Waleses Share Birthday

The Waleses posted Prince Louis’s sixth-birthday photo on Instagram in 2024, ending embargoed press releases after an edited palace photo and Kate’s cancer announcement prompted change.
Photographer Matt Porteous, who shot royal portraits, captured Louis in a £42 Boden jumper, his first new piece rather than a hand-me-down.
The family moved to Forest Lodge and highlighted Prince Philip’s Admiral of the Fleet service and Prince William’s Duke of Cornwall title.

Summary

Louis Succession Shift

Grant said the succession changes place Prince Louis behind his elder sister Princess Charlotte, easing pressure on his future duties.
He speculated the portrait was taken in Norfolk, calling the site “quite special for them” despite lacking official confirmation.
Grant noted surprise that Princess Catherine did not photograph the image herself.
He added that Louis’s position will likely afford him a more private upbringing than his older siblings.

History

Historical Context

In 2011 the leaders of the 16 Commonwealth realms met in Perth and agreed to replace male-preference primogeniture with absolute primogeniture and lift the ban on heirs marrying Catholics. The Succession to the Crown Act 2013, which took effect on 26 March 2015, placed Princess Charlotte ahead of Prince Louis, illustrating the shift toward a gender-equal monarchy.

1 of 4

William Celebrates Louis

Prince William and Catherine posted an Instagram portrait on April 23, 2026 to celebrate Prince Louis’s eighth birthday.
Matt Porteous photographed Louis smiling on a boat during a Cornwall holiday for the post.
The caption read “Happy birthday, Louis! 8 today!” and included a red balloon emoji.
A video showed Louis digging, playing cricket and jumping into water while wearing a blue Boden jumper with red trim.

1 / 4