Prince Louis breaks royal protocol on Easter Sunday for the first time

Prince Louis delighted fans at today’s Easter service.

Prince Louis breaks royal protocol on Easter Sunday for the first time (Image: Getty)

Prince Louis broke royal protocol this Easter Sunday, stepping out in trousers – despite the long-standing tradition of young royal boys wearing shorts, a custom upheld for hundreds of years. The seven-year-old joined his family at the annual service at St George’s Chapel held at Windsor, earlier today.

Royals arrive for Easter Sunday service St George's Chapel

But it was his outfit choice that quickly became a talking point. While the young royal looked smart in a navy suit, there was one key detail that set him apart.

Traditionally, young boys in aristocratic and royal circles are dressed in shorts for formal daytime occasions – a custom that has been quietly upheld for generations. However, on this occasion, Louis opted for full-length trousers, marking a noticeable departure from the norm. Prince Louis appeared smart in a navy suit and pale blue tie as he arrived for the Easter Sunday service. (Image: Getty)

At just seven years old, the Prince would typically still be expected to follow the long-standing convention. Etiquette expert William Hanson previously explained: “It’s a very English thing to dress a young boy in shorts.”

He added: “Trousers are for older boys and men, whereas shorts on young boys is one of those silent class markers that we have in England.”

The tradition is believed to date back as far as the 16th century, with shorts historically used to distinguish younger boys from their older counterparts.

According to Hanson, while modern dressing has become more relaxed, trousers on younger boys can still be perceived as more “middle class” or suburban – something traditionally avoided in aristocratic circles. Prince Louis stood composed outside the chapel, marking a notable shift in royal tradition with his choice of trousers. (Image: Getty)

That said, the rules have gradually softened over time, particularly within the younger generation of royals.

Prince George offers a clear example of this transition. While he first wore long trousers publicly at the age of four when he served as a page boy at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018, he did not adopt them regularly until he approached the age of eight.

By around his eighth birthday in 2021, George was more consistently seen in suits and trousers for formal engagements.

There have however been a few exceptions. On colder occasions, such as the Christmas Day walk at Sandringham in 2019 – Prince George, now 11, was seen in trousers earlier than expected which at the time was viewed as a practical choice in response to the chilly weather. The Prince and Princess of Wales were joined by Prince George and Prince Louis as they made their way into St George’s Chapel. (Image: Getty)

And this Easter was no different – with Storm Dave sweeping across the UK over the weekend, conditions were far from mild. The chilly winds would likely have made shorts a far less appealing option, particularly for a young child attending a lengthy outdoor event.

Louis appeared dressed appropriately for the conditions, prioritising warmth while still maintaining a smart, formal appearance.

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His siblings followed suit in adapting to the weather with Princess Charlotte wearing tights as part of her outfit, while George, now 11, was also dressed in trousers – in line with his age and evolving royal wardrobe.

While some may view Louis’s outfit as a break from tradition, others see it as a natural evolution.