5 Royal Traditions Young Prince Louis Has Already Broken

Royal protocol can dictate even the smallest things of everyday life. For Prince Louis, though, being born into the Royal Family hasn't stopped him from doing things a little differently. At just eight years old, the youngest Wales child is already carving out his own place in an institution where tradition runs deep, and expectations begin early.

Louis has never been one to stick to the script. In 2023, the young Prince caught attention when he was spotted holding hands with his cousin Mia Tindall during the family's Christmas walkabout. While it was an adorable moment, it also broke an unspoken royal rule that children are generally expected to hold hands with their parents or siblings at public events. Body language expert Judi James told The Sun just how unusual the moment was, saying, "[This was] a first in terms of breaking the normal sibling-and-parent-based hand-holding at royal events."

For years, Louis was rarely seen in public without his signature shorts, even when the weather called for something warmer. It wasn't just a fashion choice, either. Royal boys have traditionally worn shorts until around the age of eight, with trousers marking a more grown-up stage. Etiquette expert William Hanson explained to Harper’s Bazaar, “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.” However, at the Princess of Wales' 2024 Christmas carol concert, he arrived in a full suit with trousers at just 6 years old, breaking away from the usual timeline followed by young royal boys.

Church services call for a certain level of quiet and decorum, but Prince Louis had a rather sweet reason for speaking up during the 2025 Christmas service. According to PEOPLE, when a clergyman asked about his Christmas gifts, Louis reportedly called out that he had received marshmallows. The innocent response may have delighted royal watchers, but it was a little less formal than one might expect during a traditional church service.

Royal walkabouts come with an unspoken expectation that young royals remain composed while greeting the public, but Louis brought his own energy to the tradition in 2025. He happily chatted with well-wishers and accepted so many Christmas gifts that he eventually needed Prince William's help to carry them. Rather than sticking to the reserved image often associated with royal appearances, the young Prince seemed perfectly happy to let his excitement show.

Louis owes one part of his royal status to a rule change made by his great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth. Under King George V's 1917 Letters Patent, the monarch's great-grandchildren were generally not entitled to HRH titles, with a specific exception for the eldest son of the Prince of Wales' eldest son. That meant William and Kate’s children would not all automatically qualify for the same status. But in 2012, the late Queen bent the rules by issuing new Letters Patent allowing all of their children to be styled as princes or princesses and HRH. Thanks to her decision, Louis was able to enjoy a royal title from birth rather than wait for a future change in the monarchy. The young Prince might have more in common with his great-grandmother than people think. As per News24, former royal butler Grant Harrold said, "The late queen had that cheeky side, and you can see it in Louis."