Prince Louis, the youngest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales, is showing signs of a bright and confident future, according to royal author Phil Dampier.

Following the release of Louis’s seventh birthday portrait and video, Dampier shared his thoughts on what the glimpses into Louis’s personality might mean for his future.

“Until now, we’ve known Louis as the cheeky youngest sibling—always making faces and often being reined in by his older siblings, especially Charlotte,” Dampier said. “But there’s clearly a confident, lively spirit in him. He seems to have inherited the best qualities of his grandfather Michael Middleton and the late Duke of Edinburgh.”

Looking ahead, Dampier speculated that Prince Louis may one day be drawn to a military path. “I can absolutely see him in the armed forces. He’d thrive in that environment,” he noted.

A Birthday to Remember

Prince Louis turned seven on 23 April, and the occasion was marked by a sunny new portrait and a playful video. The photo, showing a gap-toothed Louis sitting on a log amid spring blooms, was taken by photographer Josh Shinner—a departure from the tradition of Princess Kate capturing her children’s official birthday portraits.

The video, released just hours later by Kensington Palace, captured Louis leaping off logs in a bluebell wood near the family’s Norfolk home. Set to music and styled like an old home movie, the footage was shot by the palace’s in-house social media team.

In one endearing clip, Louis smiled broadly before running up to the camera lens for a close-up. In another, he looked off-camera and confidently declared, “I can jump down from here.”

Dressed in a checked shirt, a khaki jumper, and blue jeans, the young prince radiated energy and charm.

A Growing Role Within the Royal Family

Born on 23 April 2018 at the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in London, Prince Louis Arthur Charles weighed 8lb 7oz at birth. He was christened at 11 weeks old at the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.

As fourth in line to the throne, Louis may not hold the same future responsibilities as his older siblings, but his growing confidence and spirited personality suggest he will carve out a meaningful role within the royal family.