While Prince William and Kate Middleton made a royal appearance at the Wimbledon gentlemen’s singles final on July 13 with their elder children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, many royal watchers were quick to notice that one familiar young face was missing: Prince Louis.
The seven-year-old prince, known for his spirited personality and cheeky expressions, did not join his family at the iconic tennis tournament. His absence raised questions among royal fans, especially since this year’s Wimbledon outing marked another high-profile appearance for his siblings.
Kensington Palace had previously confirmed that the Prince and Princess of Wales would attend the final day of the competition.
However, it came as a pleasant surprise that George, 11, and Charlotte, 10, accompanied their parents, making the absence of their younger brother even more noticeable.
The explanation behind Louis‘ nonattendance lies in royal precedent and simple practicality, according to People.com.
Age and etiquette: Why Louis is likely waiting his turn
At age seven, Prince Louis is still younger than his siblings were when they made their Wimbledon debuts.
Prince George first attended the tournament in 2022 just before turning nine, while Princess Charlotte made her first appearance in 2023 at age eight. Following in that pattern, it seems likely that Louis will have to wait another year or two before joining the family at this prestigious summer tradition.
While Louis has already participated in several significant royal events, such as Queen Elizabeth‘s Platinum Jubilee and King Charles III’s coronation, Wimbledon has its own standards.
The Royal Box at Centre Court, where the Wales family was seated, is typically reserved for high-profile guests and is known for its exclusivity.
Though exceptions are made for royal children, there’s an unspoken expectation that guests, even young ones, are able to sit through the entirety of a match with composure.
Given Louis‘ playful and expressive nature, which often captures the internet’s heart, it’s understandable why his parents might decide to delay his Wimbledon debut.
His antics at events like Trooping the Colour, where he waved from a carriage and made animated faces on the Buckingham Palace balcony, are a testament to his spirited personality, which, while endearing, may not yet suit the formal setting of the Royal Box.
During his day off from the public eye, Prince Louis likely spent time at home, either with the family’s long-standing nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, or his maternal grandparents, Carole and Michael Middleton. Louis is known to have a close relationship with his grandparents.
In fact, during Kate’s “Together at Christmas” carol service in 2024, he wrote a handwritten note for the event’s “Kindness Tree,” saying, “Thank you to Granny and Grandpa because they have played games with me.”
Meanwhile, Kate Middleton, as the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club since 2016, upheld her tradition of attending the event and awarding the trophies.
Her elegant appearance at the final, where she matched outfits with Princess Charlotte, including coordinated blue dresses and similar hairstyles, highlighted her role as both a royal and a mother passing down family traditions.
As Prince Louis continues to grow and learn the royal ropes, often under the guidance of George and Charlotte, his turn at Wimbledon is surely on the horizon. For now, his family is easing him into public royal life at a pace that balances tradition with the realities of childhood.
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