Prince Louis, the youngest son of Prince William and Kate Middleton, has yet to experience a significant royal milestone: a royal tour. Unlike his older siblings, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, who both embarked on royal tours at a young age, Louis has not yet had the opportunity to participate in this key aspect of royal life. George made his royal tour debut at just nine months old, accompanying his parents to Australia and New Zealand. Similarly, Charlotte joined the family on a visit to Canada at 16 months.
The delay in Louis’ participation in a royal tour is primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted travel plans and public engagements. The pandemic’s restrictions have kept the young prince from the usual royal duties that often include public appearances and international visits. Consequently, Louis has missed out on gaining early experience in public engagements, a valuable part of royal upbringing. His cousins and older siblings have already had opportunities to engage with the public, developing a sense of their future roles within the monarchy.
Despite missing out on a royal tour, Louis has participated in other royal events, such as his debut at the Trooping the Colour. However, these occasions have been more limited compared to the experiences of George and Charlotte at similar ages. For instance, during George’s tour in New Zealand, he charmed the public during a playdate at a local nursery, where he interacted with other children—an event that highlighted his early exposure to public life.
Looking ahead, it remains uncertain when Louis will have the opportunity to join a royal tour, as these are often scheduled based on the royal family’s official duties and international relations. The pandemic’s lingering effects and the changing dynamics of the royal family’s public engagements could further delay this milestone. Nevertheless, when the time comes, Louis will likely follow in the footsteps of his siblings, gaining valuable experience and fulfilling a vital role in representing the British monarchy abroad.
This absence of a royal tour marks a notable difference in the early lives of the royal children, reflecting the broader impact of global events on the monarchy’s traditional practices. While Louis continues to grow and prepare for his future roles, the royal family and the public alike eagerly await his first official international engagement.