The Prince and Princess of Wales delighted royal enthusiasts by sharing a new photograph of their son, Prince Louis, in celebration of his sixth birthday on Tuesday.

The unfiltered close-up image, captured by mom Kate in Windsor, depicts the young royal smiling at the camera as he lies barefoot on a blanket in the grass.

Many of Prince William and Kate’s Instagram followers extended their birthday wishes to Louis and admired the “lovely photograph” it captured.

“Love the Princess of Wales’s typically calm and serene style of photography. Happy 6th Birthday Prince Louis!” one follower remarked.

Another commented on the preciousness of the photo and wished Louis a happy birthday, while others expressed gratitude for sharing the adorable moment.

Several followers also noted Louis’ resemblance to his mother, Kate, with one sharing, “Looking just like Catherine!! Precious photo,” and another agreeing, “He looks just like his mama.”

The release of the portrait marked a departure from the usual practice of issuing images for their children’s birthdays. Instead of being released under embargo to the press the day before, as per the established pattern, the photo was shared directly on social media on Louis’ actual birthday.

This change is attributed to the challenging time the family is undergoing, with Kate undergoing preventative chemotherapy following her cancer diagnosis.

It’s expected that the same process will be followed for Princess Charlotte’s birthday on May 2nd. This is the first time Louis has been photographed since the Mother’s Day portrait, which showed Kate with her three children at their Windsor home, shortly after undergoing abdominal surgery.

The Princess issued a public apology after the image was found to have been digitally altered.

Louis, born on April 23, 2018, at the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London, was last publicly seen on Christmas Day when the royal family made their traditional festive appearance on the King’s Sandringham Estate for the church walk.