Advertisement

Prince Louis turns 3! Duchess Kate shares new birthday photo of the youngest Cambridge

We hope Prince Louis has a royal good time on his third birthday!

Prince William and Duchess Kate are celebrating Louis, their third and youngest child, by releasing a never-before-seen photo of the fifth-in-line to the throne.

"The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to share a new photograph ahead of Prince Louis’ third birthday tomorrow," Kensington Palace said in a statement released Thursday. Prince Louis was born April 23, 2018.

The photo shows Louis smiling from ear to ear on a red bicycle at Kensington Palace on Wednesday, shortly before his first day of preschool at London's Willcocks Nursery School. Louis is dressed in his school uniform – a blue sweater with a striped collar and blue shorts – complete with a blue backpack strapped along for the ride.

The adorable picture was snapped by his Duchess Kate, an avid photographer.

Prince Louis turns three years old on Friday April 23.
Prince Louis turns three years old on Friday April 23.

Prince George turns 7! Duchess Kate shares new photos of the young royal

Prince William, Duchess Kate are all smiles in adorable new family Christmas photo

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have released photos of Louis every year on his birthday, a tradition they started for their firstborn Prince George, 7, and have followed for their younger children, Princess Charlotte, 5, and Louis. Typically Kate snaps the photos of her children.

Royal fans don't often get to see photos of the Cambridge children outside of birthdays, Christmas and other important events, but admirers have got to see more of the little royals lately.

Last week, the official Instagram account for the British royal family shared a rare photo of the late Prince Philip, who died April 9 at age 99, and Queen Elizabeth II with seven of their ten great-grandchildren, including the Cambridge children. According to the caption, the picture was taken by Duchess Kate in 2018 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

In March, the official @KensingtonRoyal Instagram account also shared photos of George, Charlotte and Louis' hand-decorated cards for "Granny Diana" on Mother's Day in the U.K. Prince Louis' card featured a finger-painted heart, animal stickers and his signature.

See Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II pose with great-grandchildren in rare new photo

'Papa is missing you': Will and Kate's kids pay tribute to 'Granny Diana' on UK's Mother's Day

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcomed Louis on April 23, 2018, in London's St. Mary's Hospital, the same hospital Prince William was born nearly four decades ago.

Louis entered the world shortly after 11 a.m. local time, weighing 8 pounds, 7 ounces.

More: A look at the British royal family tree, spanning four generations.

His birth was historic: Louis is the first male heir born in the royal family who will not displace his older sister Charlotte in the succession to the throne.

Louis is fifth in the royal succession, behind his grandfather Prince Charles the Prince of Wales, 71, his father William, 38, and his siblings George and Charlotte.

Contributing: Maria Puente, Charles Trepany

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Prince Louis turns 3! See new photos of the young royal