Prince Louishas made a triumphant return toTrooping the Colour!
On Saturday,Prince WilliamandKate Middleton’s youngest son joined his family at the first birthday parade held during his grandfatherKing Charles’ reign. Five-year-old Louis rode in a horse-drawn coach with older siblingsPrince George, 9, andPrincess Charlotte, 8, from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade, where they smiled at the well-wishers that packed the flag-lined Mall. The royal trio knew just what to do after making theircarriage debutat Trooping the Colour last year, which kicked off their great-grandmotherQueen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee weekend.
During the journey, Prince Louis couldn’t resist brieflyholding his nose— perhaps because of the horses!
At Horse Guards Parade, the royals watched the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards“troop their colour,” or present their flag.
Trooping the Colour 2023.Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty
Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty
After the tribute concluded, Louis and his siblings traveled back to Buckingham Palace. Heappeared on the royal terracewithKing Charles,Queen Camilla, his parents the Prince and Princess of Wales, George, Charlotte, Princess Anne,Princess Anne, her husbandVice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence,Prince EdwardandSophie, Duchess of Edinburgh— and his animated reactions began.
Trooping the Colour 2023.ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty
ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty
Prince Louis turned to chat to his mom and dad at various points, tapped his hands on the balcony, cradled his chin in his hands and thrust out his arm before the Red Arrows Aerobatic Team of the Royal Air Force soared overhead.
Samir Hussein/WireImage
The little prince was ready for the noise and didn’tcover his earslike last year! Kate and William’s youngest son attentively stood as “God Save the King” was played and surprised the crowd with a salute before retreating back into the palace.
Trooping the Colour 2023.Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty
Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty
He was equally exuberant during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant concert, where he danced in his seat, cuddled up to mom Kate and even hopped up to sit on his grandfather Charles' lap.
“What a fantastic weekend of celebrations. Seeing people across the nation coming together with family, friends and loved ones has been extremely special,” the royal couple wrote on Twitter. “Thank you to everyone who turned out to show their gratitude to The Queen and her inspiring 70 years of leadership. From the crowds on the Mall to communities hosting street parties up and down the country, we hope you had a weekend to remember.”
“We all had an incredible time, especially Louis…” the parents wrote, adding the eye emoji.
Someone who knows the family told PEOPLE it was fun to see Prince Louis' personality shine.
“He’s a cheeky monkey— a typical third child,” they said last year. “It’s nice that the world got to see him enjoying himself.”
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Fans recently another glimpse of Prince Louis’playful personalityduring King Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronation celebrations. The little prince sweetly held hands with his big sister Charlotte on the way into Westminster Abbey for the crowning on May 6 butcouldn’t hide a yawnat one point during the two-hour church service.
Prince Louis was also caught making a few funny faces during the carriage ride back to Buckingham Palace andclapped, pointed and dancedwhen he appeared on the balcony there.
He did not attend the Coronation Concert the next day (which was likely past his bedtime!) but tagged along with his family forThe Big Help Outon May 8, which was a bank holiday in the U.K. to encourage volunteer work. Prince William, Princess Kate and their three kidsvolunteeredat the 3rd Upton Scout Group in Slough to pitch in on various projects, and a fellow helper exclusivelytold PEOPLEthat Charlotte didn’t shy from keeping Louis in line!
Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis.Daniel Leal - WPA Pool/Getty Images
“She was advising him, obviously! ‘Don’t do that, Louis!’ — things like that,” Scout helper Anne Edwards said of what she saw when the prince painted cinder blocks for planters, adding that it was lovely to see the Wales kids excited about volunteering.
source: people.com
