27 pictures of Prince Louis as youngest Cambridge turns 3

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Rebecca Taylor
·Royal Correspondent
·4-min read
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Watch: Prince Louis’s third birthday marked with picture of young royal on his bike

Prince Louis, the youngest son of the Duke and the Duchess of Cambridge, turns three years old on Friday, marking a second birthday in lockdown.

This time last year Louis was in Anmer Hall with his family, as the Cambridges went to Norfolk when the country went into lockdown.

His mother, Kate, released images of him paying tribute to NHS workers with a rainbow-painted hand print. The cute pictures showed his hands covered in stripes of paint as he grinned at his mum.

The night before his third birthday, Prince William and Kate shared another new picture of Louis, the morning before he went to Willcocks Nursery School for the first time. 

Louis had already passed a couple of royal milestones, but with a year in lockdown now under his belt, the toddler may have to wait for a few more.

EMBARGOED to 2230 BST THURSDAY APRIL 22, 2021. Copyright: Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. NEWS EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO COMMERCIAL USE. NO MERCHANDISING, ADVERTISING, SOUVENIRS, MEMORABILIA or COLOURABLY SIMILAR. NOT FOR USE AFTER 31 DECEMBER, 2021, WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION FROM KENSINGTON PALACE. This photograph is provided to you strictly on condition that you will make no charge for the supply, release or publication of it and that these conditions and restrictions will apply (and that you will pass these on) to any organisation to whom you supply it. There shall be no commercial use whatsoever of the photograph (including by way of example only) any use in merchandising, advertising or any other non-news editorial use. The photograph must not be digitally enhanced, manipulated or modified in any manner or form. All other requests for use should be directed to the Press Office at Kensington Palace in writing. MANDATORY CREDIT: The Duchess of Cambridge. Handout photo dated 21/4/2021 released by Kensington Palace of Prince Louis for his third birthday and taken on Wednesday by his mother, the Duchess of Cambridge, at Kensington Palace, shortly before he left for his first day of nursery at the Willcocks Nursery School. Issue date: Thursday April 22, 2021.
Kate took the picture of Louis on his first day at Nursery in Kensington. (Duchess of Cambridge)

Read more: Three cheers for Prince Philip as Duke and Duchess of Cambridge make first outing since funeral

He'd been on the Buckingham Palace balcony for Trooping the Colour at just one year old, held by his parents as he watched the RAF flypast in 2019.

But in 2020 and 2021 the events have been cancelled in their full form.

By Louis's age, his older brother Prince George was attending nursery, at the Westacre Montessori near their home in Norfolk. His sister, Princess Charlotte, went to Willcocks Nursery School in London at the age of two and a half.

William and Kate have now confirmed that Louis also started at Willcocks on Wednesday, showing him on his bike before his first day.

Louis has also already walked a red carpet, joining his parents and older siblings at the theatre in London in December 2020, at a special event to thank key workers and their families. 

As the toddler prince celebrates another lockdown birthday, here's some of his cutest moments.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 11: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte attend a special pantomime performance at London's Palladium Theatre, hosted by The National Lottery, to thank key workers and their families for their efforts throughout the pandemic on December 11, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Browsing the programme as he sat with the Duchess of Cambridge at the theatre in London in December 2020. (Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 11: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte attend a special pantomime performance at London's Palladium Theatre, hosted by The National Lottery, to thank key workers and their families for their efforts throughout the pandemic on December 11, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
He looked ready to applaud the performers as he waited for the show to begin. (Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 11: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Louis attend a special pantomime performance at London's Palladium Theatre, hosted by The National Lottery, to thank key workers and their families for their efforts throughout the pandemic on December 11, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Prince Louis was also spotted sucking his thumb and casting his eyes across the crowd. (Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 11: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte attend a special pantomime performance at London's Palladium Theatre, hosted by The National Lottery, to thank key workers and their families for their efforts throughout the pandemic on December 11, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Louis held his mother's hand on the red carpet, and looked dazzled by the action. (Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 11: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge with their children, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George, attend a special pantomime performance at London's Palladium Theatre, hosted by The National Lottery, to thank key workers and their families for their efforts throughout the pandemic on December 11, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The December 2020 outing was a family occasion and happened just before another coronavirus lockdown. (Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 18: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince Louis of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend a Christmas lunch for members of the Royal Family hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace on December 18, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Sitting in the back of the car as his father drove them for a Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Watch: Prince William's children pay tribute to the late Princess Diana on Mother's Day

WOKINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 10: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Louis of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge attend the King Power Royal Charity Polo Match, in which Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex were competing for the Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Memorial Polo Trophy at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Enjoying a family outing at the King Power Royal Charity Polo Match, in which Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex were competing for the Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Memorial Polo Trophy in July 2019. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
WOKINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 10: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Louis of Cambridge attend the King Power Royal Charity Polo Match, in which Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex were competing for the Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Memorial Polo Trophy at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
He made his mum giggle as he played around with a pair of sunglasses. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND - JULY 10: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Louis attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Louis looked keen to meet his new cousin Archie as he entertained his aunt Meghan. (Samir Hussein/WireImage)

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A post shared by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@kensingtonroyal)

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A post shared by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@kensingtonroyal)

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A post shared by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@kensingtonroyal)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 08: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Louis of Cambridge watch a flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour, the Queen's annual birthday parade, on June 8, 2019 in London, England. The annual ceremony involving over 1400 guardsmen and cavalry, is believed to have first been performed during the reign of King Charles II. The parade marks the official birthday of the Sovereign, although the Queen's actual birthday is on April 21st. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
He may only be three but he made his balcony debut when he was just one, in 2019. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 08: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Louis of Cambridge watch a flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour, the Queen's annual birthday parade, on June 8, 2019 in London, England. The annual ceremony involving over 1400 guardsmen and cavalry, is believed to have first been performed during the reign of King Charles II. The parade marks the official birthday of the Sovereign, although the Queen's actual birthday is on April 21st. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
The adorable tot waved to the RAF planes during the flypast. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 08: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Prince Louis of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge wave from a window of Buckingham Palace as they attend Trooping The Colour, the Queen's annual birthday parade, on June 8, 2019 in London, England. The annual ceremony involving over 1400 guardsmen and cavalry, is believed to have first been performed during the reign of King Charles II. The parade marks the official birthday of the Sovereign, although the Queen's actual birthday is on April 21st. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Louis watched the parade from inside Buckingham Palace with older sister Princess Charlotte. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

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TOPSHOT - Britain's Prince Louis of Cambridge is carried by Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge on their arrival for his christening service at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, London on July 9, 2018. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read DOMINIC LIPINSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
At his christening in the Chapel Royal in July 2018. (Dominic Lipinski/AFP)

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LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 23: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge departs the Lindo Wing with her newborn son, Prince Louis at St Mary's Hospital on April 23, 2018 in London, England. The Duchess safely delivered a son at 11:01 am, weighing 8lbs 7oz, who will be fifth in line to the throne. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
The Duchess of Cambridge with newborn Prince Louis in April 2018. (Samir Hussein/WireImage)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 23: The newborn royal baby is seen as Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge depart the Lindo Wing with their newborn son Prince Louis of Cambridge at St Mary's Hospital on April 23, 2018 in London, England. The Duchess safely delivered a son at 11:01 am, weighing 8lbs 7oz, who will be fifth in line to the throne. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/WireImage)
He was born on 23 April at 11:01 am, weighing 8lbs 7oz, and is fifth in line to the throne. (Anwar Hussein/WireImage)

Watch: Duchess Catherine's children are 'horrified' by her hairdressing skills

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