A fresh wave of excitement has swept across royal fans as Prince Louis celebrated his seventh birthday and this time, it is not just the adorable grin or the birthday milestone that has people talking.
Released by the Prince and Princess of Wales, the new portrait captures Louis sitting cheerfully on a tree stump in a scenic woodland backdrop. The photo, snapped by photographer Josh Shinner, instantly went viral but not just for its picturesque charm.
For the first time in official birthday portraits, Louis is seen sporting jeans instead of the traditional shorts young royals are often pictured in. Fans immediately noticed this subtle shift, with one royal watcher commenting:
Adding to the celebrations, Kensington Palace shared a behind-the-scenes video where Louis is seen laughing, jumping over logs, and chatting candidly with the photographer. This rare glimpse into Prince Louis’ vibrant personality melted hearts everywhere, with one fan posting:
However, it wasn’t just Louis’ wardrobe or his playful antics that had everyone buzzing.
The real sensation erupted over who Prince Louis looks like — and the answer left royal fans stunned.
Forget King Charles or Prince William. Royal enthusiasts across X (formerly Twitter) are convinced that Prince Louis is the absolute image of his maternal grandfather, Michael Middleton. One post read:
Another user added:
Observers pointed out the striking similarity in facial features, including the bone structure, soft eyes, and mischievous smile, linking Louis more closely to the Middleton side of the family than the Windsor one.
Michael Middleton, a former British Airways officer turned entrepreneur, has always kept a low public profile. Together with his wife Carole, he built Party Pieces, the successful business that funded the elite education of Kate and her siblings. Fans believe Prince Louis didn’t just inherit looks from his grandfather — he also seems to carry Michael’s calm and composed aura.
One commenter declared:
Another fan gushed:
Kate’s upbringing in Berkshire, steeped in upper-middle-class traditions, has often been credited with bringing a modern sensibility to the royal family. Now, that legacy seems to be carried forward by Louis himself.
Fans had previously noticed Middleton traits surfacing in Princess Charlotte, but many now believe that Prince Louis wins the title for the strongest resemblance. As one royal fan joked:
The tradition of birthday portraits, often taken by Kate herself, evolved this year with the choice of professional photographer Josh Shinner. His portrait of Louis managed to ignite endless Twitter threads, Instagram comparisons, and online debates a true mark of its impact.
Among all the royal birthday portraits over the years, this one feels different. It has captured not just a moment but a connection between generations, between the royal and the relatable.
Despite being born into the world’s most famous royal family, Prince Louis’ strongest resemblance is not to a monarch but to the grandfather many never expected to steal the spotlight and the internet simply cannot get enough of it.
Feature Image Credit: (CHRIS JACKSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
