Prince Louis Pictured On First Day At Preschool As He Celebrates Third Birthday

Apr 23, 2021 by apost team

Prince William and Kate Middleton’s youngest child, Prince Louis, turned 3 years old on Friday, April 23. The royal couple followed tradition, commemorating their son’s birthday by uploading a snapshot of the birthday boy to social media. And, as is typical for these birthday photos, Middleton took the adorable picture, which features a beaming Louis as he sits on a red bike and wears his backpack for school. The photo doesn’t just mark Louis’ birthday — it also marks the 3-year-old’s first day of nursery school, a significant milestone for the youngest of the Cambridge bunch.

Louis was born on April 23, 2018 at the same hospital where William was born, London’s St. Mary’s hospital. The prince, who emerged at around 11 a.m., was a healthy 8 pounds, 7 ounces. Beyond being the youngest of the Cambridge bunch, Louis is special in other ways, too. Louis is just fifth in line for the throne, preceded by grandfather Prince Charles, father William and siblings Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Interestingly, Louis was the first male-born heir who would not precede his older sister in royal succession.

William and Middleton have three children in total, including 3-year-old Louis, 5-year-old Charlotte and 7-year-old George. And whenever one of their birthdays comes around, Middleton makes sure to take out her camera for the annual snapshot that followers of the royal family around the world seem to cherish. In the coming weeks, we can expect another Middleton photo, as Charlotte will turn 6 on Monday, May 2. And at the end of July, George will turn 8.

“Three tomorrow! 🚲,” the Kensington Royal Instagram account wrote alongside the birthday photo. “Taken earlier this week by The Duchess before he left for his first day of nursery, The Duke and Duchess are pleased to share a new image of Prince Louis. 🎈”

Given that the Kensington Royal Instagram account has over 12 million followers, royal fans and fanatics from all over the world commented on the popular photo, wishing the young prince a happy birthday.

“Happy Birthday to Prince Louis 🎉💙. He is so cute, handsome on his little bike and looks a lot like his big brother 😍. Thank you to The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for sharing this picture with us 🚲❤,” a royal family fan account replied in the comments.

This April, Louis started his first day at preschool at London's Willcocks Nursery School, which is just over a 10-minute walk from Kensington Palace, where the duke and duchess live. The preschool also has a well-earned reputation.

The government Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills — simply known as Ofsted in the U.K. — gave the nursery school “outstanding” marks in all categories in a 2020 inspection of the facility. 

“Staff provide an exceptionally nurturing and vibrant environment, where children play together in harmony. Staff greet parents and their children warmly when they arrive at the nursery. Children self-register, develop a very strong sense of belonging and community, and display high levels of curiosity,” the report reads.

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Parents have also offered the nursery school high praise. In one particularly positive parent testimonial, a woman wrote, “What truly wonderful people you are and what a divine environment you have created at Willcocks … Your warmth and care towards (our children) is way beyond anything I’d expected of a nursery school and all the brilliant activities and ideas you dream up fill them with enthusiasm and stimulation. They come home so happy and fulfilled everyday without exception.”

While Willcocks might be one of the best nursery schools in the U.K., admission to the preschool is exclusive — not to mention expensive.

According to the preschool’s website, parents have to register their children at birth to get a shot of securing a spot at the elite school. After the £125 ($170) registration fee, parents will have to wait and see whether they receive an offer from the school. If you’re one of the lucky few who get a place, sending your child to Willcocks will cost you. There are three terms during the academic year, which range in cost from £2,250 ($3,118) for morning care to £3400 ($4,712) for afternoon care.

Meanwhile, George and Charlotte attend Thomas Battersea, located in south London. However, the private school only educates children up until the age of 13, and so George is nearing the age when he will have to find a different school. According to the Evening Standard, George is likely to attend Eton College in Windsor, England. The boarding school for boys is known for educating the elite, with alumni such as William, Prince Harry and Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester.

Happy birthday, Louis! Do you have a favorite Middleton birthday photo? And have you been keeping up with the Cambridge kids? Let us know — and don’t forget to pass this on to fellow royal fans!