The Prince and Princess of Wales shared this image of their younger son lying on a rug in the garden at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to celebrate his big day last week.
Taken by Kate a few days earlier, it shows the barefoot Prince wearing a hand-medown shirt from his big brother Prince George, now ten, and sporting a red patch of skin on his chin, perhaps from a playground scrape.
The close-up, unedited image came six weeks after the Princess apologised for making alterations to a photograph of herself and her children that she had shared to mark Mother's Day.
While they have asked for privacy during Kate's cancer treatment, HELLO! understands the Prince and Princess decided to share the new photo to thank those who sent birthday wishes.
Kensington Palace posted the photo on the royal couple's social media accounts with the message: "Happy 6th Birthday, Prince Louis! Thank you for all the kind wishes today."
A MESSAGE OF THANKS
Reflecting the unusual circumstances they currently face, the release of the photo marked a change in approach for Prince William and Kate, who have traditionally shared images of their children on the eve of their birthdays. They are expected to take a similar approach when their daughter Princess Charlotte celebrates her ninth birthday on 2 May.
"It's a charming photo and it would have been a shame not to have something to mark his birthday," Majesty magazine editor Joe Little tells HELLO!. "This is what Kate would have done in previous years and it's a gesture that will be very much appreciated by the public, who have a huge amount of sympathy for her at the moment."
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward adds: "He looks a very happy little chap and I don't think you can put that on for the public. I think he brings great joy to Kate and he's going to be particularly precious to her as her youngest."
Denne historien er fra May 06, 2024-utgaven av HELLO! UK.
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Denne historien er fra May 06, 2024-utgaven av HELLO! UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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THROWING IT BACK TO THE 1990S 'VOGUE' ERA OF THE SUPERMODEL
KATE MOSS LEADS FAMOUS FACES REFLECTING ON FASHION HEYDAY
FORMER 'MADE IN CHELSEA' STAR FRAN NEWMAN-YOUNG
DAZZLES IN BESPOKE WEDDING GOWN AS SHE TIES THE KNOT IN STYLE IN MAJORCA
LENDING SUPPORT TO CHILDREN'S HOSPICE PRINCESSES BEATRICE AND EUGENIE
BRING LIGHT INTO LITTLE ONES' LIVES AS THEY PLANT A SYMBOL OF HOPE
ON BUOYANT FORM AFTER HIS WIFE'S GOOD NEWS THE PRINCE OF WALES
DISHES OUT THE HUGS ON VISIT FROM THE HEART
WITH AN INCREDIBLE GLIMPSE INTO FAMILY LIFE THE PRINCESS OF WALES
SHARES MESSAGE OF HOPE AS SHE LOOKS TO THE FUTURE AND BALANCING HER ROLE
IN HIGH SPIRITS AT THE BRAEMAR HIGHLAND GAMES THE KING AND QUEEN
ENJOY LAUGHS APLENTY AT A FAVOURITE EVENT BEFORE MONARCH QUIETLY MARKS TWO YEARS ON THE THRONE
AS HOLLY WILLOUGHBY RETURNS NATIONAL TELEVISION AWARDS
STARS DAZZLE ON NIGHT OF GLAMOUR AND GONGS
CREATING A NEW SISTER ACT ELIZABETH OLSEN
ON CO-STARRING WITH NATASHA LYONNE AND CARRIE COON
MAKING HISTORY AT STARSTUDDED EVENT IN NEW YORK TAYLOR SWIFT
SMASHES IT WITH SEVEN OF THE BEST AT THE V.M.As
KIM KARDASHIAN AND DAKOTA JOHNSONS
FASHION AND COMPASSION AT A-LIST CHARITY EVENT
