22 Times Prince Louis Proved That the Third Child Is a Wild Card

It has now been nearly 2 years since our favorite day in all of royal family history — a day that will live in internet infamy — the day that Prince Louis stole the show at Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant. The adorable then-4-year-old wasn’t the least bit interested in the historic event, and that’s kind of become his M.O.

In May 2023, he let the world know just how much of a snoozefest he thought his grandfather’s coronation was, once again gracing us with some hilariously meme-able moments. From the stank face he rocked when entering Westminster Abbey, to the big ol’ yawns he made no attempts to cover during the ceremony, to his totally unimpressed waves on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, he could not have cared less about King Charles III’s coronation day.

And honestly, significant as it may have been, it was pretty boring. So thanks for being the embodiment of what we were all feeling, Prince Louis. The 6-year-old is also the embodiment of the wild card that is a third child. Sometimes he’s sour, sometimes he’s sweet — and being in the public eye, you better believe someone has an opinion every time.

While some people (guilty!) love the little boy’s antics, the mom-shamers always feel the need to come out full force. Because of course they do. And of course *eye roll*  it was Kate Middleton’s fault that Louis wasn’t perfectly behaved last year. It had nothing to do with his totally normal-for-his-age actions or — heaven forbid! — his father, Prince William. Fathers are never the problem. We apologize for even suggesting such a treasonous thing.

And so while the pearl-clutching peanut gallery gets their panties in a twist, we are here to say, mind your own business. And keep doing your thing, little prince.

A version of this article was originally published on June 6, 2023.

More from SheKnows

• King Charles Reportedly Left This Royal Family Member Feeling 'Overlooked' Following Recent Appointments

Best of SheKnows

• Recent Baby & Toddler Product Recalls Every Parent and Caregiver Should Know About

• Target's Car Seat Trade-In Event & Other Ways to Get Rid of an Old, Expired Seat

• Maya Erskine & Michael Angarano, & All the Other Celebrity Pregnancy Announcements of 2024

The Cutest Cousin

Prince Louis looked to have the best time walking to the 2023 Christmas Morning Service walking hand-in-hand with his older cousin Mia Tindall — daughter of Zara and Mike Tindall and granddaughter of Princess Anne. Fans agreed that their sweet display of affection stole the show.

A Mind Of His Own

Prince Louis clearly had words for his mom after attending the 2023 Christmas Day morning church service at St. Mary Magdalene Church. Better hope Santa didn’t hear those words, bud!

Mischievous Little Brother Antics

For the annual Westminster Abbey Christmas concert, specifically The “Together At Christmas” Carol Service, held on Dec 8, Prince Louis let out his mischievous side and, when he thought his parents weren’t looking, messed with his older sister Charlotte by blowing out her candle.

Sweet Hello

But then Prince Louis was the sweetest little guy, reaching out to shake Reverend David Stanton’s hand at the service.

Save Me!

Ok but why does Prince Louis look like he’s signaling that he’s being held against his will during a visit to the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford? We’re sure Will and Kate are internally (and perhaps externally) begging him to not make it look like he needs help.

Making A Break For It

Prince Louis finally found a chance to “escape,” and he wasn’t going to give that up. Of course, Prince William was prepared for his youngest’s antics and was quick to pull him back. Apparently the RIAT is not the place for a chase or a game of tag.

Achoo!

We’re sure that — like every kid — the young royals have been told [no less than] a thousand times that they shouldn’t sneeze into their hand. Or that they shouldn’t partake in the cardinal sin of childhood: picking their nose! And yet, Prince Louis was seen grabbing onto his nose for dear life.

Or perhaps he was emphasizing to the crowd that something really stank (maybe something a royal horse left behind…).

Whatever the case, we’re sure his parents are face-palming, wishing he had saved the cringe-worthy act for inside the walls of Kensington Palace.

Vroom Vroom!

Fans aren’t entirely sure what Prince Louis was doing on the balcony for the 2023 Trooping the Colour ceremony, but it sure gave everyone a laugh! It was either a very dramatic signal of victory or his impression of a car, and either way, it’s adorable.

Look Out!

Prince Louis held nothing back (literally) when he participated in the archery event with the 3rd Upton Scouts Hut in May 2023. His participation was part of the Big Help Out — a day when people are encouraged to volunteer — and the celebrations of King Charles III’s coronation two days earlier. Based on Louis’ aim and game face, we would not want to get on his bad side.

Part Of The Crew

Nothing was going to break Prince Louis’ concentration when he helped his dad use an excavator to help the local 3rd Upton Scouts Hut break ground. Because, let’s face it, construction vehicles are a lot more attention-grabbing for kids than coronations. Sorry not sorry.

The Coronation Of Their Majesties King Charles III And Queen Camilla – The Big Help Out

Four-year-olds (and Prince Louis especially) are notoriously unpredictable, but we saw this snapshot coming from a mile away. Because who turns down a marshmallow? Certainly not someone who seems perpetually hangry (talk about kindred spirits!). Princess Charlotte stood next to her brother and made herself s’mores during this celebratory part of the Big Help Out, but Louis dove right in.

Leaving His Mark

Prince Louis will have a historic impact on the United Kingdom — both in terms of his iconic, meme-worthy moments and his geopolitical contributions to the world — and he is already taking that legacy very seriously. When he prepared to stamp his handprint into a classroom wall during the Big Help Out, he looked as determined and authoritative as we imagine he will when taking over any of his future royal duties.

La Dee Da

Prince Louis was uninterested in the large crowds who came to watch the royal family appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after King Charles III was crowned king. Instead of the standard wave that the family would approve of, he went rogue with a two-handed wave-dance hybrid.

Snooze Fest

Bedtime is undoubtedly just as much of a struggle for the royal family as it is for us commoners. We have to imagine that the big yawns Prince Louis had before and during his grandfather’s coronation ceremony were partly due to fighting his bedtime and partly out of sheer boredom.

Cheese!

Prince Louis flashed one of his only smiles of coronation day when he left Westminster Abbey (“Finally!” he must have thought.) in the royal carriage with his siblings and parents. And even this seems to be half-hearted. It’s giving us “awkwardly posing for a family photo when you’d rather be anywhere else.” But hey, we’ll take what we can get!

Na Na Na Boo Boo!

It’s hard to imagine Prince Louis will ever top this sassy “na na na na boo boo” face he gave Kate Middleton when he was supposed to be watching the Platinum Pageant during Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. We have so many questions about this picture. Where did he learn this face? Did he do a full-on mouth fart noise when he stuck out his tongue? What did Kate and Prince William say to their son after he pulled this move?

Shut It!

The confident and precocious little prince had no problem covering his mother’s mouth (!!!!) when he had heard enough during the Platinum Pageant. YUP! Her roles as “mum” and the Duchess of Cambridge mean nothing to him. He then turned away from the fashion icon, and we honestly don’t know which part is more disrespectful.

Sigh.

After all the dramatics, Prince Louis finally resigned to his fate of watching the apparently unimpressive show before him during the Platinum Pageant. That’s the glossy-eyed, side-smirking face of a kid who is just plain over it.

AHH!

There is a reasonable explanation for this photo, but we wouldn’t be surprised if Prince Louis rocked this same stance and expression even if there wasn’t a flypast happening. The fourth in line to the throne stood next to his late grandmother on the balcony of Buckingham Palace and held his ears, doing his best to block out the sounds of noisy planes above. Even if that meant screaming at the top of his lungs. Hey, we said he is lovable. We never said he — and other kids his age — is logical.

Smiley Grandson

The one person who seemed to get a genuine smile out of Prince Louis during the jubilee celebrations was his grandfather, then-Prince Charles. The young royal sat on Charles’ lap and grinned from ear to ear, showing he is a true grandpa’s boy.

Straining To See

In Dec. 2020, Prince Louis joined his sister and mom at a performance at London’s Palladium Theatre to thank essential workers and their families for their commitment throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Louis and Charlotte are both leaning over the edge after no doubt being told again and again that they need to stay seated. We can just hear the whining now, “But I can’t see!”

Starting Young

If you think the RBF is a new look for Louis, you should know that the young prince has been perfecting his stank face since June 2019 when he watched his grandmother’s birthday parade from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. His glare paired with that outfit makes him look like the most adorable Disney villain there ever was.