Little Prince Louis made his first official royal engagement on Christmas Day at St Mary Magdalene Church, wearing shorts despite the chilly weather.
As the youngest child of Prince William and Kate Middleton, Prince Louis has always delighted royal fans with his signature cheekiness. Recently, as the British Royal Family held their Christmas service at St Mary Magdalene Church, the little Prince again stole the show with his chilly Christmas fashion choice.
Prince Louis' chilly outfit
The 4-year-old Prince recently made his first royal debut when joining his older siblings and the rest of the royal family at their annual Christmas Day church service. Walking hand-in-hand with the Prince and Princess of Wales, Louis was dressed in dark red shorts with a white checked shirt, complete with a navy pea coat. Meanwhile, Prince George donned a formal black suit while his sister Princess Charlotte looked adorable in a dark red coat with black tights.
Following the Royal Family's Christmas walk, many fans have taken to social media to express their confusion as to why Prince Louis was wearing shorts only, especially when the chilly temperature in the UK can drop to 13°C and all other royals were dressed in long trousers.
According to the Mirror, it turns out that Prince Louis' outfit choice, selected by his parents William and Kate, stemmed from a centuries-old upper-class tradition in the UK.
Etiquette expert William Hanson previously told Harper's Bazaar about this tradition, in which royal boys are dressed in short for formal engagements until they turn eight years old. The expert explains:
'Trousers are for older boys and men, whereas shorts on young boys is one of those silent class markers that we have in England.'
He continued, explaining that wearing trousers in this case is even considered 'suburban':
'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.'
Long-standing royal tradition
According to the Express, Prince Louis isn't the only royal male to follow this tradition of choosing outfits. Prior to Louis, his eldest brother George wore them to almost every royal occasion when he was young. Only last year when he turned nine did royal fans begin to see him in trousers more. Similarly, Prince William and Prince Harry also wore shorts during the first years of their life.
This year, the British Royal Family, led by King Charles, celebrated the first festive season without the late Queen, who sadly passed away in September. The newly-crowned monarch was joined by Queen Camilla, Zara and Mike Tindall, Edward and Sophie Wessex with Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn as well as Princess Beatrice, her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and his son Wolfie.
Prince Louis, as usual, was the center of attention as he continued to delight fans with his cheekiness. The little Prince was seen holding a red toy given to him by a well-wisher before running after his parents. Previously, he already stole the show at the Platinum Jubilee in June with his expressive face and naughty behavior.
Read more:
⋙ Little Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte get extra-special Christmas gifts
⋙ Reason why Prince Louis doesn't eat Christmas lunch with other royals
⋙ King Charles to throw 'huge' Christmas bash without Harry and Meghan
⋙ Royal butler shares what Prince William gave Kate Middleton for Christmas
