Prince Louis makes subtle transition with new look at Trooping the Colour

Prince Louis waves at crowds as King proceeds down the Mall for Trooping the Colour.

GB News.
Dorothy Reddin

By Dorothy Reddin


Published: 16/06/2025

- 13:44

The seven-year-old appeared alongside his siblings at the ceremony

Prince Louis marked a significant departure from previous years at Trooping the Colour by wearing trousers instead of the customary shorts typically worn by young aristocratic boys.

The seven-year-old prince's sartorial choice breaks with a longstanding custom that sees male members of royalty don shorts until they reach the age of eight.


Louis appeared alongside his siblings at the ceremony wearing a suit with a red tie, coordinating with his elder brother, Prince George.

His trousers represented a notable shift from previous years when he sported shorts and knee-high socks at the annual celebration.

Prince Louis

Prince Louis makes subtle transition with new look at Trooping the Colour.

PA / Getty

The tradition of young royal males wearing shorts has deep roots in British aristocracy, with boys typically transitioning to trousers only after their eighth birthday.

However, Louis first wore trousers publicly at just two years old when attending a Christmas pantomime in December 2020.

His approach contrasts markedly with that of his older brother. Prince George maintained the shorts tradition until age five, when he first wore chinos for the family's 2018 Christmas portrait.

Louis has continued to wear trousers at subsequent high-profile events, including Christmas Day church services and VE Day commemorations.

Prince Louis

Prince Louis wore trousers to match his older brother, Prince George.

PA

The young prince's exuberant personality was on full display throughout the ceremony. Louis waved enthusiastically to the crowds as he travelled with his mother and siblings in a carriage down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade.

His animated behaviour continued on the Buckingham Palace balcony during the flypast finale, where his energetic waving drew loud cheers from spectators gathered below.

Prince George was observed gently nudging his younger brother's arm in an attempt to encourage more restrained waving.

Despite his brother's intervention, Louis remained irrepressibly cheerful. He briefly paused to speak with his father before resuming his enthusiastic gestures to the delight of the crowd.

Prince Louis

Prince Louis previously wore shorts at Trooping the Colour.

PA

Princess Kate

Princess Kate accompanying her three children to Trooping in 2024.

PA

The Wales children shared a carriage with their mother as they made their way through central London for the military parade.

Princess Charlotte complemented her mother's outfit in an aquamarine and white dress, whilst her brothers coordinated in matching suits and red ties.

As the ceremony concluded, Louis couldn't resist offering spectators one final wave as the Royal Family withdrew into Buckingham Palace following the Red Arrows display.

His irrepressible enthusiasm throughout the day showcased the young prince's growing confidence at public events, even as he continues to challenge royal sartorial conventions with his preference for trousers over traditional shorts.