The Best Photos of Adorably Sassy Prince Louis at Trooping the Colour
Get your popcorn and meme pitches ready, people. After some speculation, the British Army confirmed that they will have the Trooping the Colour this year on June, 15. The annual parade honors the monarch’s birthday and is always held in June — regardless of when their actual birthday is. (King Charles III’s is in November.) There were murmurs of possible cancellations given that the British royal family has decided to reduce their summer plans and engagements had of the country’s upcoming election in July, but Trooping the Colour did not get cut.
And we could not be more excited. Not because we’re dying to wish Charles a happy birthday five months early, but because members of the royal family gather on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch a fly past by the Royal Air Force. And, in previous years, we’ve had the best time watching the youngest royal stand on the balcony with the worst poker face and (presumably) loudest screams. Like any good third child, Prince Louis is quite the wild card. Though he has ultra-sweet moments, he is also known for being adorably sassy and acting like any kid would, exasperated sighs and all.
As we count down the moments until Prince Louis is on the balcony again, here are the best photos of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s youngest son at past Trooping the Colours.
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Waving with Both Hands
When Louis waves, he does it adorably with both hands!
Uninterested!
While papa Prince William is showign Prince Louis something, he looks so, hilariously uninterested!
Confused Prince
During the Trooping the Colour carriage ride in 2024, Prince Louis looked so dang confused! Honestly, we get it kiddo!
What Is That?!
While Princess Charlotte of Wales was all smiles, Prince Louis of Wales was truly fasincated (and confused) by something he saw!
Blast Off!
This just might be the most iconic shot of Prince Louis from the 2023 Trooping the Colour — the first after King Charles III’s coronation. The little guy looks ready to take off with the Royal Air Force himself.
Aye, Aye — I guess?
Prince Louis gave the most adorably unenthusiastic salute back to troops who must have been saluting him. The best part? He didn’t have to salute in the first place.
Double Wave
Based on the look on his face, we think Prince Louis is calculating whether he can cut his waving time in half if he uses both hands.
Giving Up
Head in his hands, this is about as downtrodden as Prince Louis got at the 2023 Trooping the Colour. When the cutie really “shined” (in our eyes) was in 2022 when he was 4 and sixth in line to the throne.
AHH-bsolutely not!
What you probably remember best from the Trooping the Colour in 2022 was how Prince Louis covered his ears and screamed to drown out the noise of the planes flying by. And we don’t blame him!
The Full Scene
And yes, he did that with the late Queen Elizabeth II, his mom, and his siblings Princess Charlotte and Prince George right by his side — seemingly unbothered.
Over It
The young royal was very quickly over it, and there are a hilarious amount of examples.
So Done
The little guy just wants to get out of there! What 4 year old wants to wave through all that pomp and circumstance?
The Dramatics
If the head in the hands didn’t convince his parents that he wanted to leave, maybe the pulling down of his face would…?
Still There
Sorry, bud. (Can I call a royal “bud?”) Looks like you’re stuck.
Ignoring Mom
At several points, Kate Middleton tried talking to her youngest — perhaps to cheer him up or get him to lay off the silly shenanigans — but he was not having it.
Utter Disgust
We would pay so much money to know what inspired this look of disgust on Prince Louis’ face.
Peek-a-Boo
Was Prince Louis supposed to take a peek at the crowd from that window? Hard to say, but it looks like Kate Middleton is right behind him — ready to prevent any problems.
Stare Down
We have a mean-mugging royal (who also serves some serious side eye!) on our hands.
Another Scolding
Prince Louis, please don’t ever change. You might be royal, but your 4-year-old self did not give a sh*t about whether the world was watching while you stuck your pinkies in your mouth and made a funny face.
“Seriously?”
“This thing is still going on?”
“STILL?!”
Prince Louis was at his wits’ end.
Another Nudge From Mom
Kate Middleton was really working overtime trying to make this event fun for her little guy.
When Will It End?!
And this, dear readers, was the moment Prince Louis just gave up.
Cool Guy
Looks like he’s trying out that double wave strategy again.
Adorably Annoyed
All the way back in 2019, when Prince Louis was just over a year old, he was already adorably annoyed at the prospect of having to participate in Trooping the Colour.
Equal Opportunity Hater
Prince Louis didn’t just save his wrath for when he was staring at photographers — he also was seriously grumpy when looking at his great-granny.
Getting Warmer
And the fury only intensified.
Look Back At It
And even when he switched into the arms of his dad Prince William, Prince Louis was still giving the crowd a sassy stare down.
Woah!
It’s hard to know what was going through baby Louis’ mind (I guess the same is still true…), but I like to think that this is a photo of him being more impressed by and excited by tapping on the window than the crowds behind it. Or perhaps he was practicing his infamous scream.
