Princess Kate's social media accounts initially stayed silent on Prince Louis' birthday in a huge break from tradition.
Royal fans eager to mark Prince Louis' sixth birthday with a new photo last night were left disappointed, as the Prince and Princess of Wales's social media accounts took longer than usual before releasing a new photo of Prince Louis.
William and Kate's youngest child turned six today and royal fans were looking forward to a new photograph to celebrate.
The Waleses intended to release a photograph for Louis' birthday, despite the frenzy over the manipulated Mother's Day picture issued by Kensington Palace, sources close to the family claimed last month.
Prince Louis is celebrating his sixth birthday today
Getty
The couple eventually posted a new photograph in the afternoon, despite having traditionally provided it to the press under an embargo the day before.
Last month, Kate, 42, announced her surprising cancer diagnosis, which came after King Charles revealed his diagnosis to the world earlier this year.
William and Kate took time to sensitively share the news with their children before the couple revealed it to the public.
The Waleses have released a new photo of Louis every year to mark his birthday since 2019.
Prince Louis is admired for his cheeky personality
PALast year, they shared an adorable photo of Kate pushing him around in a wheelbarrow in Windsor.
For his previous birthdays, the couple shared pictures of Louis that Kate, a self-described "amateur photographer", took herself.
The photo marking his fourth birthday was taken at a beach in Norfolk, while the image shared on his third birthday showed the young royal riding his bike at Kensington Palace.
It was taken shortly before he left for his first day of nursery at the Willcocks Nursery School.
Prince Louis with his older two siblings, George and CharlottePALATEST ROYAL NEWS:
Kate always takes photographs of her children on their birthdays
PAFor his first and second birthdays, the couple released photos taken at their home.
Last month, an aide claimed the Waleses "appreciate the public's love and affection for their children and know there is a public appetite to see them on their birthdays".
However, it was added that "no firm" decision had been made.
Before today's picture, Louis was last seen in public on Christmas Day 2023, when the Royal Family appeared on the King's Sandringham Estate to walk to church.