Prince Louis Steals The Show By Acting Like a Regular 5-Year-Old

Anyone who’s tried to wrangle their young children for a family photo—or even a non-chaotic trip to Target—has likely marveled at the impeccable behavior of Kate Middleton and Prince William‘s three kids, all of whom are required to attend more official state events in a month than most of us will attend over a lifetime. That’s why the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey was so refreshing, as there we saw five-year-old Prince Louis behave like an actual five-year-old.

This was the third year in a row that the Princess of Wales has hosted the annual event, a special Christmas carol service founded by Middleton that—this year—included carols from the Westminster Abbey choir, as well as celebrity performers including singers Beverley Knight and Adam Lambert and actors Leonie Elliott, Jim Broadbent, and Micheal Ward. Middleton’s family, including William, Louis, and older kids Prince George (age 10) and Princess Charlotte (age eight) were also front and center at Friday’s taping of the event, which will be broadcast in the U.K. on Christmas Eve.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales and Prince George of Wales process out of The “Together At Christmas” Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 08, 2023 in London, England.

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The two-hour-long ceremony would have been enough to try many folks’ souls, let alone a Year One (that’s kindergarten to those of us in the States) kid. Louis was reportedly sleepy during the service, and was caught yawning by Today. 

His flagging energy was revived, however, when fire was introduced to the picture. As captured on camera, Louis’s excitement at the prospect of flames prompted him to try to blow out his sister’s candle, a move that prompted Charlotte to let loose with a grin—and his mother to pull an exasperated face familiar to anyone who’s tried to keep their kids in line in public.