It has now been nearly 3 years since our favorite day in all of royal family history — a day that will live in internet infamy — the day that Prince Louis stole the show at Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant. The adorable then-4-year-old wasn’t the least bit interested in the historic event, and that’s kind of become his M.O.
In May 2023, he let the world know just how much of a snoozefest he thought his grandfather’s coronation was, once again gracing us with some hilariously meme-able moments. From the stank face he rocked when entering Westminster Abbey, to the big ol’ yawns he made no attempts to cover during the ceremony, to his totally unimpressed waves on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, he could not have cared less about King Charles III’s coronation day.
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And honestly, significant as it may have been, it was pretty boring. So, thanks for being the embodiment of what we were all feeling, Prince Louis. The 7-year-old is also the embodiment of the wild card that is a third child. Sometimes he’s sour, sometimes he’s sweet — and being in the public eye, you better believe someone has an opinion every time.
While some people (guilty!) love the little boy’s antics, the mom-shamers always feel the need to come out full force. Because of course they do. And of course, *eye roll* it was Kate Middleton’s fault that Louis wasn’t perfectly behaved at the Jubilee. It had nothing to do with his totally normal-for-his-age actions or — heaven forbid! — his father, Prince William. Fathers are never the problem. We apologize for even suggesting such a treasonous thing.
And so while the pearl-clutching peanut gallery gets their panties in a twist, we are here to say, mind your own business. And keep doing your thing, little prince.
A version of this article was originally published on June 6, 2023.
Is This It?
Image Credit: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images Prince Louis and his siblings attended their first-ever VE Day in 2025. The celebration marked the 80th anniversary since the young prince’s great-great-grandfather, King George VI, announced on the radio that World War II was over in Europe.
Of course, Prince Louis was an adorable mix of silly, sweet, and confused. Here, while watching a military procession, he seems to be asking, “Is this it?” He will make his thoughts known if he thinks something is a snoozefest, so perhaps he wanted a little more fanfare for Victory in Europe Day.
Needing Dad’s Attention
Image Credit: Toby Melville – WPA Pool/Getty Images Even young princes have the same tendency as kids everywhere who feel the urge to literally pull on their parents (and their clothing) when they want some attention. The fact that Prince William was wearing military garb with a braided feature for him to pull on must have made the prospect all the more alluring.
Megawatt Smile
Image Credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage Once he finally got his dad’s attention, Prince Louis gave him the biggest gap-toothed grin! The young royal first showed off that endearing smile in his official 7th birthday portrait and the accompanying behind-the-scenes video.
Classic Louis
Image Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images The cheeky prince is known for serving the silliest — and most meme-able — faces from the balcony of Buckingham Palace, and VE Day 2025 was no exception. What we wouldn’t give to know what made him look like a nosy neighbor!
More Laughter
Image Credit: Aaron Chown – WPA Pool/Getty Images Though he was probably supposed to be a little more serious, Prince Louis was cracking up on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, and the Princess of Wales couldn’t help but laugh along with her youngest.
A Slight Smile
Image Credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage Prince Louis seemed to only have a sliver of Christmas Cheer in him during the 2024 Christmas season. The notoriously silly prince had a grin on his face when receiving gifts from well-wishers, but was uncharacteristically serious otherwise.
Serious at Sandringham
Image Credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage See what we mean? Prince Louis was incredibly straight-faced during most of the royal family’s walk to the church at Sandringham on Christmas Day, proving that with the third child, you never know what you’re gonna get!
Members Of The Royal Family Attend The ‘Together At Christmas’ Carol Service
Image Credit: Aaron Chown – WPA Pool/Getty Images The same was true at the 2024 “Together at Christmas” Carol Service, where the young prince barely cracked a smile. We hope the smiles and silliness just happened to not be photographed this holiday season — and not that this third child is losing his thunder.
Double Wave Moment
Image Credit: Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images. For the 2024 Trooping the Colour event, Prince Louis did his iconic double wave!
The Cutest Cousin
Image Credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage Prince Louis looked to have the best time walking to the 2023 Christmas Morning Service walking hand-in-hand with his older cousin Mia Tindall — daughter of Zara and Mike Tindall and granddaughter of Princess Anne. Fans agreed that their sweet display of affection stole the show.
A Mind Of His Own
Image Credit: Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty Images Prince Louis clearly had words for his mom after attending the 2023 Christmas Day morning church service at St. Mary Magdalene Church. Better hope Santa didn’t hear those words, bud!
Mischievous Little Brother Antics
Image Credit: Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images. For the annual Westminster Abbey Christmas concert, specifically The “Together At Christmas” Carol Service, held on Dec 8, 2023, Prince Louis let out his mischievous side and, when he thought his parents weren’t looking, messed with his older sister Charlotte by blowing out her candle.
Sweet Hello
Image Credit: Aaron Chown – Pool/Getty Images But then Prince Louis was the sweetest little guy, reaching out to shake Reverend David Stanton’s hand at the service.
Save Me!
Image Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images Ok but why does Prince Louis look like he’s signaling that he’s being held against his will during a visit to the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford? We’re sure Will and Kate are internally (and perhaps externally) begging him to not make it look like he needs help.
Making A Break For It
Image Credit: Ben Birchall/PA Images via Getty Images Prince Louis finally found a chance to “escape,” and he wasn’t going to give that up. Of course, Prince William was prepared for his youngest’s antics and was quick to pull him back. Apparently the RIAT is not the place for a chase or a game of tag.
Achoo!
Image Credit: Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty Images We’re sure that — like every kid — the young royals have been told [no less than] a thousand times that they shouldn’t sneeze into their hand. Or that they shouldn’t partake in the cardinal sin of childhood: picking their nose! And yet, Prince Louis was seen grabbing onto his nose for dear life.
Or perhaps he was emphasizing to the crowd that something really stank (maybe something a royal horse left behind…).
Whatever the case, we’re sure his parents are face-palming, wishing he had saved the cringe-worthy act for inside the walls of Kensington Palace.
Vroom Vroom!
Image Credit: Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images. Fans aren’t entirely sure what Prince Louis was doing on the balcony for the 2023 Trooping the Colour ceremony, but it sure gave everyone a laugh! It was either a very dramatic signal of victory or his impression of a car, and either way, it’s adorable.
Look Out!
Image Credit: Daniel Leal – WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince Louis held nothing back (literally) when he participated in the archery event with the 3rd Upton Scouts Hut in May 2023. His participation was part of the Big Help Out — a day when people are encouraged to volunteer — and the celebrations of King Charles III’s coronation two days earlier. Based on Louis’ aim and game face, we would not want to get on his bad side.
Part Of The Crew
Image Credit: Daniel Leal – WPA Pool/Getty Images Nothing was going to break Prince Louis’ concentration when he helped his dad use an excavator to help the local 3rd Upton Scouts Hut break ground. Because, let’s face it, construction vehicles are a lot more attention-grabbing for kids than coronations. Sorry not sorry.
The Coronation Of Their Majesties King Charles III And Queen Camilla – The Big Help Out
Image Credit: Daniel Leal – WPA Pool/Getty Images Four-year-olds (and Prince Louis especially) are notoriously unpredictable, but we saw this snapshot coming from a mile away. Because who turns down a marshmallow? Certainly not someone who seems perpetually hangry (talk about kindred spirits!). Princess Charlotte stood next to her brother and made herself s’mores during this celebratory part of the Big Help Out, but Louis dove right in.
Leaving His Mark
Image Credit: Daniel Leal – WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince Louis will have a historic impact on the United Kingdom — both in terms of his iconic, meme-worthy moments and his geopolitical contributions to the world — and he is already taking that legacy very seriously. When he prepared to stamp his handprint into a classroom wall during the Big Help Out, he looked as determined and authoritative as we imagine he will when taking over any of his future royal duties.
La Dee Da
Image Credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images Prince Louis was uninterested in the large crowds who came to watch the royal family appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after King Charles III was crowned king. Instead of the standard wave that the family would approve of, he went rogue with a two-handed wave-dance hybrid.
Snooze Fest
Image Credit: Yui Mok – WPA Pool/Getty Images Bedtime is undoubtedly just as much of a struggle for the royal family as it is for us commoners. We have to imagine that the big yawns Prince Louis had before and during his grandfather’s coronation ceremony were partly due to fighting his bedtime and partly out of sheer boredom.
Cheese!
Image Credit: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images Prince Louis flashed one of his only smiles of coronation day when he left Westminster Abbey (“Finally!” he must have thought.) in the royal carriage with his siblings and parents. And even this seems to be half-hearted. It’s giving us “awkwardly posing for a family photo when you’d rather be anywhere else.” But hey, we’ll take what we can get!
Na Na Na Boo Boo!
Image Credit: Chris Jackson – WPA Pool/Getty Images It’s hard to imagine Prince Louis will ever top this sassy “na na na na boo boo” face he gave Kate Middleton when he was supposed to be watching the Platinum Pageant during Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. We have so many questions about this picture. Where did he learn this face? Did he do a full-on mouth fart noise when he stuck out his tongue? What did Kate and Prince William say to their son after he pulled this move?
Shut It!
Image Credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images The confident and precocious little prince had no problem covering his mother’s mouth (!!!!) when he had heard enough during the Platinum Pageant. YUP! Her roles as “mum” and the Duchess of Cambridge mean nothing to him. He then turned away from the fashion icon, and we honestly don’t know which part is more disrespectful.
Sigh.
Image Credit: Chris Jackson – WPA Pool/Getty Images After all the dramatics, Prince Louis finally resigned to his fate of watching the apparently unimpressive show before him during the Platinum Pageant. That’s the glossy-eyed, side-smirking face of a kid who is just plain over it.
AHH!
Image Credit: DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images There is a reasonable explanation for this photo, but we wouldn’t be surprised if Prince Louis rocked this same stance and expression even if there wasn’t a flypast happening. The fourth in line to the throne stood next to his late grandmother on the balcony of Buckingham Palace and held his ears, doing his best to block out the sounds of noisy planes above. Even if that meant screaming at the top of his lungs. Hey, we said he is lovable. We never said he — and other kids his age — is logical.
Smiley Grandson
Image Credit: CHRIS JACKSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images The one person who seemed to get a genuine smile out of Prince Louis during the jubilee celebrations was his grandfather, then-Prince Charles. The young royal sat on Charles’ lap and grinned from ear to ear, showing he is a true grandpa’s boy.
Straining To See
Image Credit: WPA Pool/Getty Images In Dec. 2020, Prince Louis joined his sister and mom at a performance at London’s Palladium Theatre to thank essential workers and their families for their commitment throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Louis and Charlotte are both leaning over the edge after no doubt being told again and again that they need to stay seated. We can just hear the whining now, “But I can’t see!”
Starting Young
Image Credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images If you think the RBF is a new look for Louis, you should know that the young prince has been perfecting his stank face since June 2019 when he watched his grandmother’s birthday parade from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. His glare paired with that outfit makes him look like the most adorable Disney villain there ever was.
