How Prince Louis is the spitting image of his father Prince William: Throwback photos show the pair's striking similarities in both appearances and cheeky attitude

Prince Louis is the spitting image of his father, the Prince of Wales, in throwback photos showing the pair's cheeky attitude and unmistakably similar mannerisms. 

As the fourth in line to the British throne turned six today, FEMAIL takes a look at how the young royal emulates William, 42, despite his mischievous public demeanour compared to his more poised dad.

Nostalgic pictures of King Charles's eldest son as child perfectly capture him in all his boyhood mayhem - which has clearly been passed down to his own son.

Louis looked every inch the smart young royal in his birthday portrait with Kate Middleton choosing a smart casual outfit for her son - sweetly echoing William's wardrobe.

The image was shared by the Prince and Princess of Wales on social media on April 23 - and their youngest child looked as sweet as ever.

The photograph, taken by Kate, showed the young royal in high spirits as he lay on a picnic blanket while smiling towards the camera.

Louis donned an off-white shirt with blue and brown checkering paired with what appears to be denim jeans.

It's a sense of style often emulated by William, 42, who regularly opts for smart casual attire.

William has sported a checkered shirt on many occasions, including during a visit to Sydney Zoo back in 2014.

And here are times Louis emulated his father in more than just fashion sense... 

Fed up 

On the left, Louis, then four, was snapped covering his ears at the Trooping the Colour parade, clearly overwhelmed by the buzz around him 

The British public have grown accustomed to Prince Louis' displays of defiance, but old pictures of Prince William show the royal was also fed up of keeping up appearances when he was a child.

On the left, Louis, then four, was snapped covering his ears at the Trooping the Colour parade, clearly overwhelmed by the buzz around him.

Similarly, William, then aged around six, also appeared to be in displeasure, possibly due to being forced to attend a royal event that may not have taken his fancy.

Looking unimpressed 

And his son Louis channels his father's at times underwhelmed energy in photos at events when he appears restless

Throwback photos of Prince William show that before he was a poised royal, he could be cheekily sassy with a simple unimpressed look.

And his son Louis channels his father's at times underwhelmed energy in photos at events when he appears restless.

He is the image of the young Prince of Wales when feeling clearly bored and uninterested at their surroundings. 

The royal wave

Both William and Louis have a penchant for engaging with the crowd as young princes - and shooting adoring crowds a wave is a signature gesture for the duo

The Princes have on several occasions been snapped raising their hand in greeting, at times with a smile, and in other instances with a confused air

Both William and Louis have a penchant for engaging with the crowd as young princes - and shooting adoring well-wishers a wave is a signature gesture for the duo.

The Princes have on several occasions been snapped raising their hand in greeting, at times with a smile, and in other instances with a confused air. 

And snaps of Prince Louis appear to show exactly where he got the habit from - his father.

Tongues out 

In 1986, at his uncle Prince Andrew's wedding he was seen sticking his tongue out at his cousin. And decades later, at the Platinum Jubilee celebrations Louis was the spitting image of his father as he repeated the gesture at his mother

Prince Louis is known for his cheeky antics - but fewer may know that the Prince of Wales was too known for his sassy moments as a young child. 

In 1986, at his uncle Prince Andrew's wedding, he was seen sticking his tongue out at his cousin. 

And decades later, at the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Louis was the spitting image of his father as he repeated the gesture at his mother. 

Mummy's boys

No matter who you are, few things are as comforting as a mother's touch - and Prince William and his son have both shown that closeness 

Louis can often be seen holding onto the Princess of Wales's hand, whereas his father was also often snapped closely by the late Diana's side 

No matter who you are, few things are as comforting as a mother's touch - and Prince William and his son have both shown that closeness.

Louis can often be seen holding onto the Princess of Wales's hand, whereas his father was also often snapped closely by the late Diana's side. 

Both mothers can also be seen being openly affectionate with their sons, and comforting them.

Balcony pointers

In 1985, a cheeky William (right) - aged three - pointed to the crowds as he, his cousin Zara Phillips and Lady Davina Windsor stood on the Buckingham Palace balcony following that year's Trooping the Colour. Louis (left) mirrored his father last year

In a habit they appear to have borrowed from King Charles III, both William and his youngest son have been snapped pointing out at the crowd. 

In 1985, a cheeky William - aged three - pointed to the crowds as he, his cousin Zara Phillips and Lady Davina Windsor stood on the Buckingham Palace balcony following that year's Trooping the Colour.

Mirroring his father, last year Louis looked hyper-focused from the same exact place as he observed an RAF flypast following his grandfather's Coronation.

On the move 

One snap from 1987 shows a haughty William looking ready for action - and years later, in 2023, Louis was his spitting image as she appeared restless during Trooping the Colour festivities 

Snaps of the royals travelling in carriages tend to elicit general smiles and waves - but not for Prince Louis and his father.

Both Princes have shown a cheeky prowess, shooting the camera impatient and unimpressed looks.

One snap from 1987 shows a haughty William looking ready for action - and years later, in 2023, Louis was his spitting image as she appeared restless during Trooping the Colour festivities.

Favourite cousins

Young William was known for his special bond with cousin Zara - Princess Anne's daughter. The pair, who were pictured walking alongside one another to St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in 1988 are the spitting image of Louis and his cousin Mia - Zara and Mark Tindall's daughter 

The royal family is known for getting together at special events that are open to the public - be it ceremonies, Trooping the Colour or special occasions like Easter and Christmas.

And it's no wonder a great time for the children to reconnect with their favourite cousins and relatives. 

Young William was known for his special bond with cousin Zara - Princess Anne's daughter.

The pair, who were pictured walking alongside one another to St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in 1988 are the spitting image of Louis and his cousin Mia - Zara and Mark Tindall's daughter - last year, who held hands as they celebrated the big day.