New Portrait of Prince Louis Unveiled on His Sixth Birthday

Britain’s Prince and Princess of Wales have shared a new photo of Prince Louis to celebrate his sixth birthday. This is the first picture released by the family since a photo-editing controversy last month.

In the photo, Prince Louis, who is fourth in line to the British throne, is shown smiling at the camera while lying on a blanket.

The photo shared on the couple’s official social media accounts on Tuesday was taken by Catherine, Princess of Wales, although CNN has not confirmed its authenticity.

According to a royal source, the Waleses appreciate all the birthday wishes they have received for Louis. The picture was captured by Kate, who is 42 years old, in Windsor just a few days ago.

The Wales family is currently facing an unprecedented time as the princess works on her recovery. It has been tough for the family, especially since Kate shared last month that she has started chemotherapy for cancer.

The family wanted to thank everyone who sent birthday wishes, so they decided to share a photo on social media, even though they had asked for privacy during the princess's recovery.

The source confirmed that the photo is unedited, addressing concerns raised last month about transparency and honesty with an edited photograph of Catherine and her family.

Princess Catherine visited Nottingham Trent University in England on October 11, 2023. She was there to learn about the university's mental health support system. The Prince and Princess of Wales are on a tour across the UK to celebrate World Mental Health Day. They are emphasizing the significance of mental well-being, especially among young individuals. The photo below captures the moment.

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 11: Catherine, Princess of visits Nottingham Trent University to learn about their mental health support system on October 11, 2023 in Nottingham, England. The Prince and Princess of Wales are carrying out engagements across the UK to mark World Mental Health Day and to highlight the importance of mental wellbeing, particularly in young people. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

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It has become a tradition for William and Catherine to share new images of their children on their birthdays each year. Kate, who enjoys photography, has often taken these portraits herself.

A few well-known professional photographers, such as Mario Testino, Chris Jackson, and Millie Pilkington, have also taken some of the current portraits.

The Wales family has shared a special photo of Louis every year to celebrate his birthday. The last time he was seen in public was during the family's annual Christmas Day walk to church with his mom at the Sandringham estate.

The newest photo of the youngest Wales family member will probably be closely examined because it's the first one since a controversial Mother's Day photo last month.

Kensington Palace shared a family photo, supposedly taken by Prince William, but it was later discovered to have been altered. This photo was meant to end the rumors about the princess being absent from the public eye following surgery in January.

Only a few hours after its release, several international news outlets removed the photograph due to concerns about manipulation at the source. As eagle-eyed royal-watchers scrutinized for any discrepancies, Kate, known by many, accepted responsibility for the resulting chaos.

She mentioned that she played around with editing, just like many amateur photographers. She also expressed her apologies for any confusion in a brief statement shared on X, previously known as Twitter.

Another round of controversy arose a few weeks later when it was discovered that another official photograph had been digitally altered.

Getty Images announced on March 19 that a photo of the late Queen Elizabeth II with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, taken by Kate and shared by the palace last year, was digitally enhanced. A CNN investigation discovered possible alterations in up to 19 areas.

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In a heartfelt video message, the princess shared that post-operative tests on March 22 revealed she had an unspecified cancer. Kate expressed that the past few months have been challenging and requested privacy from the public.

The family took a break during the Easter school holidays to stay out of the public eye. However, Prince William returned to his official duties last week.

During a visit to a surplus food redistribution center, Prince William expressed gratitude for the get well cards sent to his wife, Kate. He promised to "take care" of her. King Charles III has also reduced his public appearances after sharing his cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

Editor's P/S:

The release of the new photograph of Prince Louis marks a significant moment for the British royal family, especially in the wake of recent controversies surrounding photo editing. The decision to share an unedited image demonstrates a shift towards transparency and honesty, addressing concerns raised by the public. The Wales family's willingness to share this intimate moment with the world showcases their commitment to authenticity and connection with their supporters.

While the ongoing health challenges faced by Princess Catherine continue to dominate headlines, the family's resilience and determination are evident. Prince William's return to public duties and the release of the unedited photo suggest a gradual return to normalcy. Despite the challenges they face, the Wales family remains committed to their philanthropic endeavors and their role as public figures, inspiring others with their strength and compassion.