Prince Louis Turns 1! A Look Back at the First Year of Life For Kate Middleton and Prince William’s Youngest Son

A royal baby is born!

Prince Louis entered the world on April, 23, 2018 on St. George’s Day. At 8 pounds, 7 ounces, he was the most heaviest baby that Kate gave birth to and, a few days after his arrival, Kensington Palace revealed his name to the world.

“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to announce that they have named their son Louis Arthur Charles,” the palace previously said in a statement. “The baby will be known as His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Cambridge.”

Meeting his siblings

Even though Prince Louis first met Charlotte and George at St. Mary’s Hospital, he got to bond with them even more when Kate brought him home to Kensington Palace.

A palace insider said Princess Charlotte was being very “protective” of Prince Louis just like her older brother, Prince George, was with her when she was little. “Charlotte is just like him. They have a great bond, and a similar connection is growing between Charlotte and Louis,” the source revealed.

Louis stuns on camera

Prince Louis’ first official portrait was a big moment for the royal family! It was hard not to fall in love with the tiny royal when Kensington Palace released his photo to their official Instagram account a few days before Meghan Markle and Prince Harry got married in May 2018. Plus, the best part about the snap was that it was taken by Louis’ precious mama!

Prince Louis’ royal christening

After Kate sweetly held Prince Louis in her arms outside of St. Mary’s Hospital, royal fans were dying to see the young prince again. They got their chance when Kate arrived to the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace for her baby’s christening on July 9, 2018.

The christening date was a sweet nod to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip because it took place on the same day that they got engaged in 1947. To celebrate Louis’ huge milestone, uncle Prince Harry got the adorable baby a really expensive gift.

According to The Sun, the Duke of Sussex bought the royal baby a nearly $11,000 first edition of Winnie-The-Pooh. Yowza! Louis will surely appreciate that gift when he gets older.

His royal grandparents are announced

In the same month Prince Louis was christened, Kensington Palace announced who the young royal’s godparents were, and guess what? It’s not Prince Harry or Meghan! Apparently, some of Kate and William’s closest friends and family took on that big role in their baby’s life.

Since it’s a tradition in the royal family to have more than two godparents, the palace announced Mr. Nicholas van Cutsem, Mr. Guy Pelly, Mr. Harry Aubrey-Fletcher, The Lady Laura Meade, Mrs. Robert Carter, and Miss Lucy Middleton to be only a few people who made the list.

Louis teaches his mom a thing or two about parenting

Prince Louis has brought so much joy to his family! Two months after he was born, royal biographer Ingrid Seward of Majesty magazine said Kate’s new baby has made her act like a brand new person.

“She has blossomed and looked more confident, beaming with happiness,” Seward said to People. “Kate is hugely dutiful, but she is quite strong and leading the way behind the scenes.”

Louis parties it up with his grandad

In honor of Prince Charles’ 70th birthday on November 14, he took a number of photos of himself with his immediate family and shared them via Instagram. In the sweet snaps, Louis appears to be trying his best to look at the camera while his mom holds him up in her arms.

A sweet valentine

The best part about Valentine’s Day is that you get to spend it with your loved ones — and that’s exactly what Prince Louis did with his mom, according to the Instagram fan account @fromberkshiretobuckingham.

During the holiday, Kate was reportedly seen taking her son for a quiet stroll around a nearby London park in sneakers and a puffer jacket. We know, right?!

“Kate had a little valentine date with Louis!” the photo’s caption read. “The duchess was pictured enjoying a stroll with her youngest in the park today by a couple who had just enjoyed a visit to the gorgeous display of [Princess] Diana’s dresses at Kensington Palace!” We’re so jealous! We wish we could have been there.

He’s ‘bombing around’ the royal palace

On Tuesday, March 12, Kate revealed a sweet detail about her growing baby. She told a bunch of parents during an event at the Henry Fawcett Children’s Centre that Louis has been using his “little walker” to get around Kensington Palace. So cute!

“Louis just wants to pull himself up all the time,” she gushed. “He has got these little walkers and is bombing around in them.” We hope you enjoy your birthday, Prince Louis!