Prince Louis celebrated his 7th birthday on Wednesday, and royal fans were treated to a brand-new portrait of the young royal that captured his signature cheeky charm — and sparked plenty of buzz online.

The newly released photo showed Louis looking happy and relaxed, sitting on a log surrounded by a sea of bluebells. Dressed in jeans, a collared shirt, and a cozy khaki jumper, the young prince looked every bit the outdoorsy royal.

The charming image was taken by renowned photographer Josh Shinner, breaking from the tradition of Princess Kate usually being behind the camera for her children’s birthday portraits.

Fans were quick to comment on how much Prince Louis has grown — and how strongly he resembles his mother’s side of the family. “Such a lovely photo — strong Middleton genes there,” one fan noted. Another chimed in: “He’s growing up so fast! He’s starting to look like a little teenager already! Wishing him a joyful day filled with love, laughter, and cake (lots of it!).”

A third fan was struck by his height, commenting, “He looks like a very tall seven-year-old already! Happy Birthday, young man!”

Among the many well-wishers was King Charles, who sent a sweet birthday message via the royal family’s Instagram Stories, writing: “Happy Birthday to Prince Louis!” accompanied by festive emojis.

While Princess Kate has often photographed her children for special occasions, this isn’t the first time the tradition has been set aside. In 2023, she enlisted photographer Millie Pilkington for Prince George’s 10th birthday portrait.

As Prince Louis continues to grow up before the nation’s eyes, fans are clearly loving every glimpse of his bright personality — and this latest birthday snapshot is no exception.