When the Cambridge family released three gorgeous new portraits of little Prince Louis today to mark his second birthday, royal fans around the world had one burning question.
“How on earth did his shirt stay so clean?” read one of the top comments on Kensington Palace’s official Instagram account, as the royals unveiled the gorgeous new portraits of Louis happily playing with rainbow paint in a navy and white gingham checked shirt – without a single splatter of paint to be seen.
“How is he keeping that shirt so clean!!” asked another fan.
Well, now Louis’ parents Duchess Catherine and Prince William have revealed that their royal son, despite being fifth in line to the throne, is still just like any other toddler.
Just after after those first photos of Louis were unveiled online, the couple have released another candid unseen image, this time showing what really happened behind the scenes when Kate tried to take some happy snaps of her son.
The new photo shows Louis with rainbow pain smeared all over his face, and maybe even a few drops on his shirt collar!
“Instagram vs Reality,” the image was captioned. “Thank you for your lovely messages on Prince Louis’ second birthday.”
So things did get messy, after all!
(Image: Kensington Palace)
“Instagram vs reality”, the pic was captioned.
(Image: Kensington Palace)The photos, taken by the Duchess, who is a keen photographer, were taken earlier this month while the family was in lockdown.
The Cambridges, and Louis, are currently isolating at their country home Anmer Hall in Norfolk, along with Prince George, six, Princess Charlotte, four, amid the COVID-19 health pandemic.
READ NEXT: Five things you may have missed in Prince Louis’ birthday photos
Prince Louis looks just like his parents in these photos.
(Image: Kensington Palace)
The Duchess proved once again that she is a very talented photographer.
(Image: Kensington Palace)
“He looks like my financial advisor,” one fan commented on social media.
(Image: Kensington Palace)And that adorable painting snap wasn’t the only new photo released this afternoon.
Prince Charles also posted a previously unseen photo of himself and his grandson.
“A very Happy Birthday to Prince Louis, who turns two today. The young Prince enjoys a hug from his Grandfather, the Prince of Wales,” read the caption on the official Clarence House Instagram account.
This is so lovely.
(Image: Clarence House)New images like these of the young royals come few and far between, and this marks a rare glimpse at how quickly Louis is growing up.
We last saw the royal in March when his parents posted a sweet video to the Cambridge’s Instagram account, Kensington Royal, in March.
Standing beside his older brother George and sister Charlotte, Louis was seen clapping his hands as the siblings partook in the Clap for Carers initiative which hailed those working on the frontline amid the COVID-19 crisis.
WATCH BELOW: Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte clap for the UK’s amazing health workers. Story continues after video.
While Louis’ special day is undoubtedly different to any he’ll likely celebrate again in the near future, the royals knew how to make the best of it.
Louis’ older brother and sister are currently being homeschooled at their country abode, with Catherine and William providing fans a rare update on how things were going during an interview on BBC Breakfast last week.
During the segment, Kate admitted that she’d sort of short changed her young children by deciding to omit crucial information about the school holidays.
“Don’t tell the children, we’ve actually kept [home schooling] going through the holidays. I feel very mean,” Catherine told BBC journalist Tina Daheley.
As for young Louis, he’ll likely be delighted to simply have his older siblings around a little more to run amok with.
Here’s hoping he’s having a special birthday!
