Prince Louis will no longer follow royal tradition as he celebrates 8th birthday

He may only be eight, but Prince Louis' latest birthday reportedly marks a major milestone for the youngster.

According to insiders, the youngest son of Prince William and Kate Middleton will soon turn his back on a royal tradition that has stretched on for decades.

Louis, who is currently fourth in the British line of succession, celebrates his eighth birthday today (23 April). He's three years younger than big sister, Princess Charlotte, who turns 11 next month, and five years the junior of older brother, Prince George.

To commemorate the special occasion, Kensington Palace released a new portrait of the youngster - such is the case whenever a member of the monarchy marks a birthday.

In his latest snap, Louis wears a navy, knitted quarter-zip jumper with orange cuffs, white collar and matching zip.

He stands with his arms crossed, bearing an adorable gap-toothed smile, while his brown hair blows in the wind.

While we can't see what the young prince chose to wear on his legs, we'd usually assume he's wearing a sweet pair of shorts.

But, being that Louis has just turned eight, his parents may well have chosen to switch his bottoms out for a pair of full-length trousers.

According to his uncle, Prince Harry, royal boys are expected to wear a pair of 'weird shorts', no matter the weather.

Reflecting on his own experience during a previous appearance on Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy, Harry recalled Princess Diana dressing him and William in the 'most bizarre outfits'.

"Looking back on the photos, it just makes me laugh," the 41-year-old laughed at the time, noting that their get-ups almost always involved 'weird shorts'.

"I just think, 'How could you do that to us?'"

English etiquette expert William Hanson previously backed Harry's assertion, responding to concerns in 2016 when a baby-faced Prince George landed in a chilly Canada donning a pair of summer shorts.

Confirming the tradition only applies until around the age of eight, Hanson told Harper's Bazaar: "Trousers are for older boys and men, whereas shorts on young boys is one of those silent class markers that we have in England.

"Although times are (slowly) changing, a pair of trousers on a young boy is considered quite middle-class, quite suburban. And no self-respecting aristo or royal would want to be considered suburban."

The expert went on to suggest that the practice had clung on for centuries, when 'breeching' was common. This referred to boys in Western Europe being expected to wear dresses during their early years until they were 'breeched' and given some short trousers, which lasted until the 1920s.

Royal author Ingrid Seward also addressed the tradition, telling PEOPLE: "Boys wear short trousers until they are eight. It is shorts until you’re eight and then 'Woo, you’re in long trousers'.

"They suddenly feel very grown up."

Prince Louis' birthday portraits over the years

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Prince Louis was missing his front teeth in his seventh birthday snap (X/@KensingtonRoyal/Josh Shinner)

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The Princess of Wales took this image to mark his sixth birthday in 2024 (X/@KensingtonRoyal)

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Kate was credited for this adorable pic of the young prince (X/@KensingtonRoyal)

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The royals said this photo was taken 'by The Duchess before he left for his first day of nursery' (X/@KensingtonRoyal)

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The Duchess also captured this heartwarming pic for his second birthday in 2020 (X/@KensingtonRoyal)

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