Prince Louis shines at King Charles’ first Trooping the Colour celebration

The youngest royal has stolen the spotlight with his adorable theatrics at King Charles’ first Trooping the Colour celebration as monarch.

King Charles III has hosted his first Trooping the Colour as monarch, but it was his grandson Prince Louis that won hearts with his adorable theatrics.

The youngest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales clearly enjoyed himself at the annual royal parade, which took place overnight in London, and was seen enthusiastically imitating the 70-strong fly-past as he saluted crowds who flocked to watch the spectacle unfold.

Prince Louis of Wales watches the fly-past on the Buckingham Palace balcony during Trooping the Colour. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Louis, 5, joined his siblings Prince George, 9, and Princess Charlotte, 8, on the Buckingham Palace balcony as a range of military aircraft joined the Red Arrows – the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team – for a dazzling aerial show above The Mall to honour the King’s birthday celebrations.

George and Louis were dressed in navy suits and red ties for the occasion, while their sister Charlotte wore a white dress with red detailing.

Meanwhile, Catherine shone in a tailored emerald green dress with matching broadbrimmed hat, while William sported his ceremonial uniform.

The picture-perfect Wales family. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Louis was seen saluting the crowd. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Members of the public cheer as they watch the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows during the King's Birthday Parade. Picture: HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP

The young royal trio earlier travelled by carriage in a procession alongside Catherine and Queen Camilla, while Charles, Prince William, Princess Anne and the Duke of Edinburgh rode on horseback.

Charles’ decision to ride horseback reintroduced a tradition which his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, relinquished in 1986 after she turned 60.

King Charles III, Prince William, Prince of Wales and Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh during Trooping the Colour. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The parade signals Charles’ first Trooping the Colour since becoming King following the death of the Queen in September. The event is a long-running royal tradition, and was first held in 1760.

King Charles and Queen Camilla were joined by members of the royal family. Picture Chris Jackson/Getty Images

A notable omission from the celebrations this year was Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, who reportedly weren’t invited.

It marked the first time in Harry’s life he wasn’t extended an invitation.

Harry and Meghan attended last year’s Trooping the Colour, which was part of Queen Elizabeth’s platinum jubilee weekend. However, they were not asked to be on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the official fly-past, after they stepped down as senior royals in early 2020.

Previously, they had appeared on the palace balcony together twice, in 2018 shortly after their royal wedding, and again in 2019.

Harry was invited to King Charles’ coronation in May, which he attended without Meghan, but was in his home country for less than 24 hours and was understood not to have seen his family members during the short trip.