Kate rolls out the barrow for Louis as the royal couple release photographs to celebrate their son 

Beaming with happiness as his mother pushes him around in a wheelbarrow, Prince Louis is in fine spirits in these delightful new photographs released to mark his fifth birthday tomorrow.

The youngster sits atop a pile of garden cuttings in one of the relaxed pictures taken in the garden of Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, the family home.

Proud parents Kate and William said they were ‘delighted’ to share the images of their energetic youngest child tonight.

In one of the pictures, Louis – wearing shorts, shirt and a woollen jumper – is seen grinning at someone out of shot as he takes his wheelbarrow ride. The other is an intimate close-up of his smiling face.

The Princess of Wales has campaigned passionately about the importance of the first five years of a child’s life – and today’s photographs show the results of her hands-on experience with her youngest child.

Not known for sitting still for long, Louis – previously described by his mother as a ‘kamikaze’ rugby player – is often pictured in an active stance.

Unlike previous family portraits, however, these images were not taken by keen photographer Kate. Instead, the charming family moment was captured by Millie Pilkington, who was previously trusted by Kate and William to privately photograph their wedding reception in 2011.

Speaking shortly after the Royal wedding, Dorset-based Ms Pilkington said that Kate and William were ‘buzzing with happiness’, adding: They were drawn to each other magnetically throughout the day. Their love for each other was so evident. Everyone could see it.’

Prince Louis is expected to join his older siblings George, nine, and Charlotte, soon to turn eight, for the carriage procession at the Coronation on May 6. While George, the second in line to the throne, is expected to have a role in the service, it is thought Louis will join working members of the Royal Family on the balcony at Buckingham Palace for an RAF flypast.

The new images follow the release of a picture of the late Queen with all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren today, on what would have been her 97th birthday, which showed Louis wearing a hand-me-down shirt from George.

For ALL the latest news from the British and European royal households, check out MailOnline’s new must-read Royals Channel 

Five fabulous years of Prince Louis! All the times the cheeky royal stole the spotlight and melted our hearts with his antics as Kate and William’s youngest son celebrates his birthday this weekend

By Gina Kalsi

Whether it’s stealing the show at royal engagements, sticking his tongue out at his mother or dramatically covering his ears on the Buckingham Palace balcony, there’s no doubt that Prince Louis has captured the nation’s heart.

The fourth in line to the throne came into the world at 11.01am on the 23 April 2018, weighing in at a healthy 8lbs 7ozs, the heaviest royal baby boy born in 100 years. 

The Prince and Princess of Wales seemed to be overcome with emotion and joy as they stood cradling their precious newborn outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, just seven hours after his birth.

Their tiny Prince was wrapped in the same delicate white blanket that was used for his older siblings, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

While his older siblings started nursery at around the age of two-and-a-half years old, Louis went a little later at three-years-old due to the Covid pandemic. 

He attended Willcocks nursery, which is a short drive near to where the family used to live in Kensington Palace. 

And while he is growing up out of the spotlight, Louis certainly makes quite the impression whenever he is seen in public.  

Dubbed ‘relatable’ by the public, the Prince’s facial expressions and cheeky antics delight royal fans.

Prince Louis stole the show at the Trooping the Colour celebrations in June last year, where he pulled a series of hilarious faces – including covering his ears in front of the Queen when the sound of the roaring plane engines became too much during the fly past.

Royal fans were quick to take to social media to share the images along with funny captions. 

A few days later at the Platinum Pageant he grabbed attention again by stirring up mischief, this time sticking his tongue out at his mother, Kate The Princess of Wales, and also playfully covering his hand over her mouth.

A day before the Queen died, the family were pictured walking to a settling in day at the children’s new school, Lambrook in Berkshire, following their move from ‘fishbowl’ Kensington Palace to leafy Windsor. 

The Wales family now live in the four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage which is located in Windsor’s Home Park, a private 655-acre royal park. 

A royal source said that Kate and William decided on the move ‘to give their children the ‘most normal’ start possible, saying: ‘KP [Kensington Palace] can be a little bit of a fishbowl.

‘They wanted to be able to give George, Charlotte and Louis a bit more freedom than they have living in central London.

‘It’s very much a decision that’s been led by the kids.’

At their new £21,000-a-term school, Prince Louis and his siblings George and Charlotte can go apple-picking in the onsite orchard and put  their stash to good use by making their own juice and baking cakes.

The youngster is enjoying the same healthy lifestyle as his brother and sister, with Kate hinting that their diet is full of fresh fruit and veg. 

She’s mentioned how Louis ‘absolutely loves beetroot’, and when visiting LEYF (London Early Years Foundation) Stockwell Gardens Nursery and Pre-school in London in January 2020, she told school manager Michelle Samuels that her children ‘enjoy apples and cereal in the morning’ for breakfast. 

On his first Christmas walkabout at Sandringham in December last year Prince Louis attempted to direct his mother Kate, leading her by the hand when she greeted well-wishers on Christmas Day. 

Flashing a smile for the cameras, accepting gifts and shaking hands, the Prince proved he is a natural when meeting the public.

Here, as Prince Louis turns five, Femail shares some hilarious photos throughout the his life, from royal events to fun with his siblings.

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2020 

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