Why Kate Middleton's birthday picture of Prince Louis's birthday portrait is the real deal! Photographer reveals all the signs it's an unedited snap after Mother's Day Photoshop row

The Princess of Wales's birthday portrait for her son is 'very honest' and 'done really naturally', an expert has revealed.

Speaking to FEMAIL, London based professional photographer Glenn Gratton explained how Prince Louis's photo was not likely retouched at all, and shows a perfectly candid family snap.

'If she has done any photoshop, it's very subtle,' he added. 'She's clearly more advanced with her photography. Her pictures have improved year by year on.'

The youngest child of Kate Middleton, 42, and Prince William, 41, celebrates turning six today, after returning to school following the Easter holidays.

Glenn pointed out that the young royal's skin tone is natural, with his mother 'keeping his skin blemishes'.

The Princess of Wales's birthday portrait for her son is 'very honest' and 'done really naturally', an expert has revealed

'He's only six,' the photographer added. 'She's not tried to make him look like a wax work. Some parents over-filter their children's pictures.'

He also remarked that you can tell the lighting is natural, as you can see it reflected in Louis's eyes - meaning there was no 'artificial' set-up. 

Glenn said there are elements in the photo that would have stood out for someone experimenting with photoshop - 'his feet are a little bit distracting... and his eyes are little bit dark, so you'd lighten them up' - but the Princess chose to keep the details in.

'It's a straightforward, honest picture taken nicely,' he concluded, positing that Kate likely used a portrait lens to create the blurred background effect. 

'Her photography's improving,' the expert added. 'She's using better cameras.' 

Prince Louis is beaming from ear to ear in the adorable photo released this afternoon.

Typically, Kensington Palace will release portraits of the Wales children early in the morning to mark their birthdays, however fans were left disappointed this morning when the social media accounts for Kate and William did not feature any photos of the cheeky six-year-old.

In a break with tradition, William and Kate shared a photo of their younger son this afternoon rather than at midnight on his birthday as is customary with new royal portraits. It is understood the photo was released later than usual because the family is going through an 'unprecedented' time.  

Mother-of-three Kate revealed in March that she was undergoing a course of preventative chemotherapy for a type of cancer that remains undisclosed

The youngest child of Kate Middleton, 42, and Prince William, 41, celebrates turning six today, after returning to school following the Easter holidays. Louis and Kate pictured last year

The photo was taken in the grounds of Adelaide Cottage by his mother, the Princess of Wales, who often photographs her children's birthday portraits. It suggests that, as she recovers from chemotherapy, she is feeling well enough to get back behind the camera. 

The caption read: 'Happy 6th Birthday, Prince Louis! Thank you for all the kind wishes today.'

As the beaming prince looks into the camera, he is lying on his front and looks all grown up with his brunette hair swept to the side, and a smart checked shirt.

He appears to be wearing dark shorts with bare feet and is lying on a fleeced blanket.

The picture is understood to have been unedited, following the furore that resulted over the Princess’ photoshopped Mother’s Day picture, which saw it withdrawn by international picture agencies. She later apologised for the confusion.

Normally the couple issue a photograph of each of their children to mark their birthdays in advance for use on the day itself.

This year the Wales’ had originally decided not to do so given that it is such an ‘unprecedented’ time for their family.

Prince Louis delighted fans with his expressive antics during the various Platinum Jubilee celebrations 

The most stylish royal! Prince Louis, then four, left royal fans in stitches as he danced to the music at the concert 

The young prince's cheeky antics went viral as royal fans were left in hysterics at his funny behaviour

As he flashes his biggest smile, the young prince also appears to have lost a couple of his baby teeth since his last official appearance on Christmas Day 2023.

Louis's sixth birthday comes as the Wales family takes time away from the spotlight while the Princess recovers from abdominal surgery and subsequent cancer treatment.

Mother-of-three Kate revealed in March that she was undergoing a course of preventative chemotherapy for a type of cancer that remains undisclosed.

In a heartbreaking video the Princess of Wales detailed how the cancerous cells were discovered, while she was undergoing surgery for a different condition in January.

She explained that she had not spoken out about it earlier because she wanted to have time to 'explain everything' to George, Charlotte and Louis and assure them 'she's going to be ok'.

This was also the reason the William was forced to pull out of a memorial service for his late godfather, King Constantine of Greece, as it is understood that this was when the family first found out about Kate's condition.

The Princess of Wales pictured holding a camera as she takes part in a a photography workshop with the charity 'Action for Children' in Kingston in June 2019

In her emotive statement, Kate said: 'The surgery was successful, however, tests after the operation found that cancer had been present.

'As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment.'

The last time royal fans were given a glimpse of Prince Louis, the young prince appeared with his siblings, Prince George, 10, and Princess Charlotte, eight, as they smiled alongside their mother Kate on Mother's Day.

The snap released by Kensington Palace, generated controversy when picture agencies around the world issued 'kill notices', over concerns it had been 'manipulated'.

Both the agencies and eagle-eyed internet sleuths noticed several inconsistencies in the photo, including in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's skirt, her hair, and the zip on Kate's khaki jacket. 

Following the social media storm, the Princess of Wales was forced to issue a statement admitting she had 'edited' the image - which had initially been hoped would quell wild conspiracy theories that had circulated about her health.

In a post on Instagram and X/Twitter, the Princess said: 'Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. 

'I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day. C.'

Prince Louis was born on April 23, 2018 in the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, like his older siblings Charlotte and George. 

A statement from Kensington Palace at the time read: 'Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 1101hrs. 

During Louis's last public appearance on Christmas Day 2023 at Sandringham, he put on another heart-warming display as he held hands with his second cousin, Mia Tindall, on the way to St Mary Magdalene Church

Prince Louis also put on an enthusiastic display during his grandfather King Charles III's Coronation

'The baby weighs 8lbs 7oz. The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth. Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well.' 

Since then, he's become known for his flair in front of the camera and has previously delighted royal fans with his expressive performances at royal events.

At Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the young royal, then four-years-old, took centre stage as the royal family appeared on the balcony.

Alarmed by the noise caused by the Red Arrows circling overhead, he covered his ears and winced.

Similarly, the youngster charmed audiences around the world with his antics at the concert held in honour of his 'Gan Gan' and her 70-year reign.

During the concert, Louis was seen larking about as he played with his mother and sat on his grandfather King Charles's lap. 

Last year at Trooping the Colour, he once again stole the show with his funny antics, and delighted fans once again on the balcony of Buckingham Palace as he got into the spirit of the Red Arrows and pretended to be a pilot. 

He also made viewers chuckle as he arrived in a carriage with his siblings at Horse Guards Parade - and seemed put off by an unpleasant smell.

The prince scrunched up his face and held his nose as the carriage moved along, while his older siblings seemed unfazed by the smell. 

As Kensington Palace celebrated Louis's fifth birthday last year, Kate and William released a snap showing their youngest son's playful side and his strong bond with his mother, as the Princess of Wales was seen pushing him in a wheelbarrow while he gleefully beamed. 

The previous year, another photo of the Prince, taken by Kate, was shared by Kensington Palace which showed him playing on the beach in Norfolk.

During Louis's last public appearance on Christmas Day 2023 at Sandringham, he put on another heart-warming display as he held hands with his second cousin, Mia Tindall, on the way to St Mary Magdalene Church.

Mia, nine, is the eldest daughter of Zara and Mike Tindall, and has two younger siblings herself, Lena and Lucas.

Christmas 2023 was Louis's second time joining his family for the annual trip to St Mary Magdalene Church as he is now deemed old enough to attend.

Sharing the image on Instagram and X, the royal couple wrote: 'Happy 6th Birthday, Prince Louis! Thank you for all the kind wishes today.'