How cheeky birthday boy Prince Louis won the hearts of a nation. CLAUDIA CONNELL celebrates six years of charming fun - and laughter - as the youngest Wales blows out his candles...

For most people it was probably his famously naughty antics at the Platinum Jubilee celebrations that first endeared Prince Louis to them.

Cute, confident and cheeky, the little boy has become a firm favourite with royal fans around the world, his presence guaranteed to liven up any occasion.

Now, the youngest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales has turned six. Here we bring you some Prince Louis appreciation as we look back at some favourite moments.

Polo Match Poser

Just 15 months old and his personality was already shining through. In July 2019 Catherine took all three of the children to watch their father and Uncle Harry play in a charity polo match.

Prince Louis wore his Mother's sunglasses at the a charity polo event in 2019

Pinching his mum’s sunglasses, Louis delighted the crowds by smiling, laughing and toddling off to chase horses. He was also seen waving at his new cousin Prince Archie, who was there with Meghan – probably the last time Louis and Archie met!

Messy Paint Play

Keen photographer Kate snapped this picture to mark Prince Louis’s second birthday in April 2020. 

Prince Louis creates some rainbow artwork in appreciation of the NHS in 2020

Joining in with the Instagram trend of posting ‘Insta vs Reality’ pics, the royals uploaded a picture of Louis’s painting, followed by this snap of him with paint smeared all over his face. One month into lockdown, Louis had created some rainbow artwork in appreciation of the NHS.

Beaming on his Bike

Louis looked pleased as punch to be starting nursery school in this portrait, taken to celebrate his third birthday in April 2021. 

Prince Louis was photographed by his mother  shortly before he left for his first day at nursery in 2021

Sitting on a  balance bike, Louis was about to attend first day at Willcocks Nursery School in Kensington, where big sister Charlotte also went. The image was taken by his proud mum who has made it a tradition to take her children’s birthday pictures.

What a Star!

Aged four and already a little fashion icon. Mums everywhere were clambering to get hold of the snazzy star motif jumper Louis was wearing while playing on the beach in Norfolk as Mum, Kate, snapped away.

Prince William announced at the Surplus to Supper, a surplus food redistribution charity, in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey last week that cricket is Prince Louis's favourite sport

Sadly, the cashmere jumper by Olivier was a hand-me-down from big brother George and no longer available.

Flypast Fun

Standing beside the late Queen in June 2022, Louis stole the show during the RAF flypast to mark Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne. 

Usually a stickler for good behaviour, the Queen seemed unaware of  her adorable great grandson. Or perhaps she just found it funny...

Prince Louis stole the show at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee fly past in 2022

He saluted the planes and then screamed and put his hands over his ears as they flew over making an incredible noise. Usually a stickler for good behaviour, the Queen was highly amused by her adorable great grandson.

Jubilee high jinx

The antics that launched a thousand memes and gifs! At the Platinum Jubilee Pageant in June 2022 Louis ran his mother ragged with his energetic behaviour.

Prince Louis had possibly eaten too much sugar as he watched the Pageant with his family

Eventually, the energetic lad was sent to go and sit on Grandpa Charles’ lap in order to give frazzled Kate a break

 He jumped on his seat, pulled his cousin’s hair, stole his sister’s sweets, made faces and even put his hand over Kate’s mouth when she tried to clam him down.

Eventually, the energetic lad was sent to go and sit on Grandpa Charles’ lap in order to give frazzled Kate a break.

Five-year-old fashion leader

Public demand forced Lallie London, the company who made Prince Louis’s £75 Fair Isle jumper, to restock it. 

This adorable image of Prince Louis wearing a hand-me-down jumper stole our hearts on his fifth birthday

The jumper was several years old and another hand-me-down but the retailer caved to demand and restocked when, in April 2023, this fifth birthday portrait of Louis being pushed in a wheelbarrow by Kate was released.

At Grandpa’s Coronation

Kate and William took the wise decision to not have Louis sit in for all two hours of King Charles’s Coronation in May last year. 

Prince Louis missed some of the Coronation service as his parents felt it was a little too long but he wasted no time in entertaining the crowds during the flypast

Prince Louis loves waving to the crowds 

He did, however, taken part in the procession - and appear on the balcony while looking dapper in his custom-made navy blue tunic by Dege and Skinner, and was on his best behaviour.

Target practice

The day after the Coronation, the Wales family were out in force attending a Big Help Out initiative in Slough.

Prince Louis of Wales tried his hand at archery while taking part in the Big Help Out, during a visit to the 3rd Upton Scouts Hut in Slough, west of London  in May 2023

 Everyone tried their hand at archery, with little Louis being cheered on by his mother who revealed her cute nickname for her son – ‘Loubug’. Not much of a fan of archery, Loubug preferred driving a JCB digger and, best of all. eating toasted marshmallows.

Trooping the colour Treat

Big sister Charlotte kept her mischievous brother in check during the carriage ride at last years Trooping the Colour. 

Never one to hide his feelings, Prince Louis was visually vocal after catching a whiff of something -  horse droppings? -  during the King's first Trooping of the Colour

She smiled as he held his nose after catching a whiff of the horse manure and then pointed out something in the crowd. But, as we all know it’s the balcony where Louis comes into his own. He didn’t disappoint during the flypast, becoming the star turn again as he saluted, pretended to fly the plane and jumped around.

Family Christmas

Smiling for the cameras , Prince Louis royal fans at Sandringham last December.

Mia Tindall joined hands with Prince Louis and his family on the Christmas walk to attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham in 2023

Prince Louis was dressed in a smart pea coat and tartan trousers as he held on to his father's and Mia's hand

Dressed in a smart pea coat and tartan trousers, both by Trotters, he clasped cousin Mia’s hand as they walked from the house to the service. But, no doubt, look all five-year-olds he couldn’t wait to get back to his mountain of new toys.