Royal fans are left disappointed by no new picture of Prince Louis as he turns six, as William and Kate’s social media accounts stay silent in the early hours of his birthday

Royal fans eager to mark Prince Louis’ sixth year of life with a celebratory photo were left disappointed as the Prince and Princess of Wales’ social media accounts stayed silent in the early hours of his birthday.

William and Kate’s youngest child turned six today and royal fans had been hoping the couple will keep up their tradition of releasing photographs to celebrate his birth.

The Waleses were intending to release a photograph for Louis’ birthday despite the frenzy over the manipulated family picture issued by Kensington Palace on Mother’s Day, sources close to the family said last month.

But the couple have not yet posted a new photograph online or shared the image with the media, despite having traditionally provided it to the press under an embargo the day before.

The past few months have been an eventful period for the Waleses and their family, due to Kate’s 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 future Queen’s positive cancer test with their children, giving the youngsters time to process the information, before the couple revealed it to the public.

Prince Louis is pictured at a beach in Norfolk. The photograph, taken by his mother Kate, was released by Kensington Palace ahead of his fourth birthday in 2022

For his third birthday, Kensington Palace released a photo of Prince Louis riding a bike. The picture was taken in April 2021 by his mother at Kensington Palace, shortly before he left for his first day of nursery at the Willcocks Nursery School

The Waleses have released a new photo of Louis each year to mark his birthday.

Last year, they shared an adorable photo of Kate pushing him around in a wheelbarrow in Windsor to mark his turning five. 

For his previous birthdays the couple shared pictures of Louis that Kate, a self-described amateur photographer, took herself. 

The photo marking his fourth year of life was taken at a beach in Norfolk and the image shared on his third birthday showcased the young royal riding his bike at Kensington Palace, shortly before he left for his first day of nursery at the Willcocks Nursery School.

For his first and second birthdays, the couple released photos that were taken at their home.

An aide last month, amid speculation over whether or not the couple would mark Louis’ birthday with a picture, said 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 noted that ‘no firm’ decision had been made.

The Waleses released this photo of Louis in 2020 to mark his second birthday. The image was also taken by his mother and ‘amateur photographer’ Kate

Kate took this photo of Louis at their home in Norfolk in April 2019. It was released by Kensington Palace to mark his first birthday

Louis was last seen in public on Christmas Day (pictured) when the royal family made their traditional festive appearance on the King’s Sandringham Estate to walk to church. He was pictured holding hands with Zara and Mike Tindall ‘s eldest daughter Mia

Pictured left to right: The Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, the Prince of Wales, Prince Louis and Mia Tindall arrive to attend the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in Norfolk, England on December 25, 2023

Louis was last seen in public on Christmas Day when the royal family made their traditional festive appearance on the King’s Sandringham Estate to walk to church.

He was pictured holding hands with Zara and Mike Tindall’s eldest daughter Mia on one side and grasping his father’s fingers with his other hand.

Earlier that month the young royal joined his older brother Prince George, aged 10, and sister Princess Charlotte, aged eight, at the annual Westminster Abbey carol concert staged by their mother Kate.

And a few weeks before the festive event, Louis and his siblings were taken volunteering by their mother, visiting the Baby Bank in Holyport near Maidenhead and got stuck in sifting through donated goods.

Other notable appearances for Louis during the past 12 months include his balcony appearance with the royal family at the conclusion of Trooping the Colour last June.

The young prince stole the show when he seemed to pretend to ride a motorcycle or bike with his arms outstretched and covered his ears as planes roared overhead during the fly-past.

Earlier in December Louis joined his older brother George, aged 10, and sister Charlotte, aged eight, at the annual Westminster Abbey carol concert staged by their mother Kate

A few weeks before the festive event, Louis and his siblings were taken volunteering by their mother, visiting the Baby Bank in Holyport near Maidenhead and got stuck in sifting through donated goods

Other notable appearances for Louis during the past 12 months include his balcony appearance with the royal family at the conclusion of Trooping the Colour last June. The young prince stole the show when he seemed to pretend to ride a motorcycle or bike with his arms outstretched and covered his ears as planes roared overhead during the fly-past

And when he travelled in a carriage with his siblings and mother, Louis held his nose to possibly ward off the smell of horse manure from the many military mounts

In July, William and Kate’s children got the chance to tour a C-17 aircraft during a visit to the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire

And when he travelled in a carriage with his siblings and mother, Louis held his nose to possibly ward off the smell of horse manure from the many military mounts. 

In July, William and Kate’s children got the chance to tour a C-17 aircraft during a visit to the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire.

Louis goes to Lambrook School in Berkshire with his brother and sister and has recently returned to the classroom after the Easter break.

It is likely a family birthday celebration, perhaps involving the prince’s grandparents Carole and Michael Middleton, will be held after the youngster’s school day is over.

William and Kate’s youngest child is fourth in line to the throne and was born on St George’s Day, April 23, 2018, at the private Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, weighing 8lb 7oz.

He was christened Louis Arthur Charles at 11 weeks old, by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby at the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace in front of friends and family.