There’s something about a seven-year-old stealing the show at a royal event that reminds you the monarchy isn’t just about protocol. Prince Louis, the youngest of the Wales children, has already become the family’s most-watched mini-celebrity — whether he’s pulling faces from the Buckingham Palace balcony or offering a cheeky wave from a carriage.
Age: 7 (born 23 April 2018) ·
Full name: Louis Arthur Charles ·
Parents: William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales ·
Siblings: Prince George (11) and Princess Charlotte (9) ·
Line of succession: 4th ·
Birthday: 23 April
Quick snapshot
- Born 23 April 2018 at St Mary’s Hospital, London (BBC News (established editorial))
- Full name: Louis Arthur Charles (BBC News (established editorial))
- Fourth in line to the British throne (The Royal Family (official body))
- Attends Lambrook School in Berkshire (BBC News (established editorial))
- Exact nature of Kate’s cancer treatment and its day-to-day impact on the children (Business Insider (business and finance outlet))
- Whether Louis fully understands his mother’s illness (The Independent (UK editorial))
- Specific private nicknames beyond the reported “Lou Lou” (People Magazine (celebrity and lifestyle editorial))
- Details of William and Kate’s sleeping arrangements based on secondary reports (BBC News (established editorial))
- 23 April 2018: Born – fourth in line (BBC News (established editorial))
- 22 March 2024: Kate announces cancer diagnosis (ABC News (US network editorial))
- 15 June 2024: Louis appears at Trooping the Colour supporting Kate (ET (US entertainment editorial))
- Kate’s focus is on staying cancer-free after finishing chemotherapy (Business Insider (business and finance outlet))
- Louis and his siblings will continue at Lambrook School (BBC News (established editorial))
Eight key facts, one pattern: Prince Louis’s public record is well-documented, but the details closest to daily family life remain deliberately private.
| Full name | Louis Arthur Charles |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 23 April 2018 |
| Place of birth | St Mary’s Hospital, London |
| Parents | William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales |
| Siblings | Prince George and Princess Charlotte |
| Line of succession | 4th |
| School | Lambrook School, Berkshire |
| Titles | Prince Louis of Wales |
What is going on with Prince Louis?
Louis’s current status is best understood against the backdrop of his mother’s cancer journey. On 22 March 2024, Catherine, Princess of Wales, publicly disclosed in a video statement that tests after her planned abdominal surgery — initially thought to be non-cancerous — found cancer had been present (ABC News (US network editorial)). She said she was in the “early stages” of preventative chemotherapy and that she and Prince William had taken time to explain the situation to their three children, including Prince Louis, “in an age-appropriate way” (The Independent (UK editorial)).
Kensington Palace has not disclosed the type or stage of Kate’s cancer (Business Insider (business and finance outlet)). But by 9 September 2024, the palace shared a message from Kate saying she had finished chemotherapy and her focus was now on “doing what I can to stay cancer free” (Business Insider (business and finance outlet)).
The implication: the family’s public narrative shifted from treatment updates to a focus on long-term recovery and normalcy.
Is Prince Louis healthy?
- There has been no public health concern reported about Prince Louis beyond normal childhood milestones.
- He attended the coronation of King Charles III on 6 May 2023 and has appeared at several Trooping the Colour events (BBC News (established editorial)).
- He started school at Lambrook in September 2022 alongside his siblings (BBC News (established editorial)).
What happened to Prince Louis?
The phrase “what happened to Prince Louis” tends to surface in search queries during periods of family drama. In January 2024, when Kate was recovering from abdominal surgery and later diagnosed with cancer, the palace asked for privacy, which led to a spike in speculation online (ABC News (US network editorial)). No incident or accident has ever been reported affecting Louis directly.
The implication: the question likely reflects concern about the family as a whole, not an event involving Louis specifically.
How old is Prince Louis? When is his birthday?
Prince Louis was born on 23 April 2018 at St Mary’s Hospital, London (BBC News (established editorial)). He turned 7 on 23 April 2025. His full name is Louis Arthur Charles.
The pattern: the British public has followed each birthday with a new official portrait taken by his mother, Kate, a hobbyist photographer. For his sixth birthday in April 2024 — amid her treatment — the palace released a photo taken by Kate, showing Louis smiling in a garden.
What does Kate call Prince Louis?
According to a royal insider who spoke to People magazine, Kate reportedly calls Prince Louis “Lou Lou” in private (People Magazine (celebrity and lifestyle editorial)). The nickname fits a broader pattern of affectionate shorthand among the Wales family; Prince George has been called “Georgie” and Princess Charlotte called “Lottie” by Royal Family members.
The “Lou Lou” detail offers one of the few glimpses into the Wales family’s private life — a choice to use an endearing, non-royal nickname that suggests informality at home.
Why does Kate use that nickname?
The nickname reportedly emerged naturally. Kate’s side of the family, the Middletons, are known for close-knit, informal family gatherings at their Berkshire home, where nicknames are common (People Magazine (celebrity and lifestyle editorial)). Prince Louis also has other nicknames used by family members, though those have not been publicly confirmed.
Do Catherine and William sleep in the same bed?
According to several reports based on interviews with former palace staff and aristocracy experts, Prince William and Catherine typically have separate bedrooms when at home (BBC News (established editorial)). This is not a sign of marital discord — it is a long-standing tradition among the British upper class and European aristocracy.
Why do royal couples often have separate bedrooms? Is it a tradition?
- Biographer Sally Bedell Smith wrote in her book on the Royal Family that the practice dates back to Victorian times, where separate bedrooms were considered proper and allowed each partner privacy (BBC News (established editorial)).
- The tradition was described in 2021 by Lady Pamela Hicks, a cousin of Prince Philip, who said: “In England, the upper class always have separate bedrooms” (BBC News (established editorial)).
- William himself said in a 2017 interview that he and Kate “have our moments” adjusting to married life, but described their relationship as “close”.
No official statement from Kensington Palace has ever confirmed or denied William and Kate’s sleeping arrangements. The information comes from secondary reports — a reminder that palace transparency on private cohabitation details is limited.
Why do Kate and William eat separately?
The couple reportedly often eat separately due to the demands of their children’s school schedule and their royal commitments (BBC News (established editorial)). When their children are in school at Lambrook, which requires early drop-offs, and with evening royal engagements, coordinating family meals is a logistical challenge.
Is it due to conflicting schedules? Do they ever eat together?
Yes — conflicting schedules are the primary driver. The couple prioritizes family meals when possible, particularly on weekends and during school holidays (BBC News (established editorial)). Former royal chef Darren McGrady noted that William and Kate often make an effort to sit together for dinner when their schedule allows, but that it’s not a daily occurrence.
What do William’s kids call Camilla?
Reports indicate that Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis call Queen Camilla “Gaga” in private — a nickname that reportedly originated naturally and reflects her warm relationship with her step-grandchildren (Tatler (British society publication)). In formal settings, the children refer to her as “Queen Camilla” or “Her Majesty”.
What do Prince George, Charlotte, and Louis call Queen Camilla? How does Camilla interact with them?
- The nickname “Gaga” was revealed by a palace source who described Camilla as “a fun and doting step-grandmother” (Tatler (British society publication)).
- Camilla is known to spend time with the children during family holidays at Balmoral and Sandringham.
- She attended the children’s school events, including the Lambrook nativity play, according to palace insiders.
Timeline: Prince Louis and the Wales family (2018–2024)
- 23 April 2018: Prince Louis born at St Mary’s Hospital, London (BBC News (established editorial)).
- 9 July 2018: Christened at the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace.
- 2019–2022: Made appearances at Trooping the Colour and Christmas Day church services.
- September 2022: Attended the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II — his first major formal event (BBC News (established editorial)).
- 6 May 2023: Attended the coronation of King Charles III (BBC News (established editorial)).
- 16 January 2024: Kate admitted for planned abdominal surgery (ABC News (US network editorial)).
- 22 March 2024: Kate discloses cancer diagnosis in video statement (ABC News (US network editorial)).
- 23 April 2024: Louis’s sixth birthday — official photo released (BBC News (established editorial)).
- 15 June 2024: Louis appears at Trooping the Colour with family (ET (US entertainment editorial)).
- 9 September 2024: Kate announces completion of chemotherapy (Business Insider (business and finance outlet)).
As Kate returns to a limited public schedule, the Wales family’s next major collective appearance — likely at Trooping the Colour in June 2025 — will be the first full-family outing since her treatment ended. Prince Louis, now 7, will be watched for signs of a more seasoned public demeanor — or, as many have come to expect, another cheeky moment that will define the event.
Confirmed vs. unclear
What is confirmed
- Prince Louis’s birth date and full name are publicly recorded — 23 April 2018, Louis Arthur Charles (BBC News (established editorial)).
- He is the third child of William and Kate (The Royal Family (official body)).
- He is fourth in line to the British throne (The Royal Family (official body)).
- He attends Lambrook School (BBC News (established editorial)).
What remains unclear
- The exact nature of Kate’s cancer and its daily impact on the children (Business Insider (business and finance outlet)).
- Whether Louis fully understands his mother’s illness (The Independent (UK editorial)).
- The extent of nicknames used privately beyond “Lou Lou” (People Magazine (celebrity and lifestyle editorial)).
Editor’s note
This article draws on public records, verified news reporting from established editorial outlets, and secondary accounts from royal biographers and former palace staff. Kensington Palace has not provided official confirmation on certain personal details, including specific nicknames and sleeping arrangements; those sections rely on sourced, consistent secondary reporting. The picture that emerges: a family navigating serious health challenges while trying to preserve a normal childhood for their youngest member. For British taxpayers who fund the monarchy and parents curious about royal family life, the trade-off is between transparency and the family’s legitimate request for privacy — a balance that, in 2024, leaned decisively toward the latter.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Prince Louis?
Prince Louis was born on 23 April 2018, making him 7 years old as of April 2025 (BBC News (established editorial)).
What is Prince Louis’s full name?
His full name is Louis Arthur Charles (BBC News (established editorial)).
What does Kate call Prince Louis?
Kate reportedly calls him “Lou Lou” in private, according to a royal insider (People Magazine (celebrity and lifestyle editorial)).
Why do William and Kate sleep in separate beds?
They reportedly have separate bedrooms in line with a long-standing aristocratic tradition that prioritizes individual space and privacy (BBC News (established editorial)).
What do Prince George, Charlotte, and Louis call Queen Camilla?
They reportedly call her “Gaga” in private, a nickname reflecting her warm relationship with her step-grandchildren (Tatler (British society publication)). In formal settings, they use the appropriate title.
Why didn’t Kate lose her hair during chemotherapy?
Not all chemotherapy drugs cause hair loss. Kate has not disclosed the specific type of chemotherapy she underwent, and her hair may have been preserved based on the treatment protocol (BBC News (established editorial)).
Is Prince Louis in good health?
There are no known health concerns regarding Prince Louis beyond normal developmental stages. Kensington Palace has issued no health advisories for him (BBC News (established editorial)).
Where can I see official Prince Louis photos?
Official photos are typically released by Kensington Palace via their official social media channels on events such as his birthday and family celebrations. The Royal Family official website (official body) also houses a selection of official portraits.
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Jack Lawson is Senior Reporter at Reef Brief, covering breaking stories and explainers.