I wonder sometimes if the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge each have a “favorite child.” I mean, obviously, they love all of their children equally, even if George Will Be King (after Charles Will Be King and William Will Be King). I tend to think Kate’s favorite is the youngest, no matter what. Right now Louis is her favorite. And to me, it feels like Louis got the strongest helping of Middleton genes too. Anyway, just a random query, some parents do have a favorite. Kate’s favorite is finally going to undergo that particular rite of passage for royal children too: Louis will participate in his first-ever Trooping the Colour this weekend. Trooping the Color happens on Saturday, and it’s widely believed that the Duchess of Sussex will make her first public appearance since the debut of Baby Archie. Archie will not be there (too little), but Louis will get to wave a chubby baby arm at the planes.
Prince Louis is ready to show off his royal wave! The youngest child of Kate Middleton and Prince William is set to join the royal family — including siblings Prince George and Princess Charlotte — on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the first time this Saturday for Trooping the Colour celebrations held in honor of the Queen’s birthday, PEOPLE confirms.
Louis, who turned 1 on April 23, is around the same age as Charlotte was during her first Trooping the Colour appearance. Princess Charlotte, now 4, showed off her royal wave at the 2016 event from the arms of her mom. (The young royal even complemented her mom’s outfit, wearing light pink just like Kate’s hat.) Prince George, 5, was a little older – nearly 2 – when he made his Trooping the Colour debut in 2015. That’s likely because at 10 months, he was too young for the exciting event the previous year.
I know this is what is done, and I know that Kate and William are keeping with the same schedule as George and Charlotte. But I do think there’s an added bonus for them: people will be paying attention to the entire Cambridge family, including three photogenic children, and they’ll push Meghan to the back again. Because “protocol,” I’m sure. I expect the Keen Defenders to train a keen eye to Meghan’s positioning on the balcony. If Meghan dares to enter the first row of royals on the balcony, there will be a great hue and cry: “BBBBUUUUTTT KATE WILL BE QUEEEEENNN.” “Doesn’t she know her place?!” And “the Cambridge kids are ‘above’ her!!” Yeah. I mean, I’m excited about seeing Louis on the balcony, but I’m more excited about seeing Meghan. I’ve missed her! It’s been a month since we’ve seen her.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
Louis is adorable. I hope he hams it up.
Absolutely adorable…..I could almost eat him! 😍
His cheeks, so cute!
First, I have to disagree with the word favorite being used. I am told my second son is my favorite but it’s just that he is closer to me and always has been. He likes to come and tell me stories about his day and we bond more. But favorite I wouldn’t use the word.
Second, yes it’s expected the Cambridge Kids will be there. So no harm no foul. It’s the media that will try to make more of it than it is. Wonder if Meg and Harry will decide to keep baby Archie at home. It’s a lot of noise and a lot of people. Valid reason that he is way too young to attend.
Yeah, I don’t have a favorite out of my kids, but I get along better with my younger one (he’s only 4 lol, that may change.) My older one is basically exactly like me, so we just clash because we are so much alike. So my younger one is not the favorite at all, but our relationship is a bit different even at this age.
@Becks1, yes. It’s who you get along better. I hate when people tell me he’s my favorite because I love both my children the same. I hang out with them the same. It’s just that my little one makes me laugh more and he’s an extrovert, where as my oldest is an introvert. But they are both my favorite. To use the word favorite is to imply you can choose one over the other (I think). Like: my favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry so I choose it over chocolate or vanilla.
Advice columnist Ann Landers had the best definition for who a mother’s “favourite” child was – it was the child who needed you most at that moment.
That being said, I think a mother might find one of her children to have a personality that more closely matched her own and that child might be called the “favourite”.
My favorite is whomever I am getting along best with at that moment! It changes regularly!
My mom says her favorite is who ever takes good care of her in her old age and doesn’t stick her in a nursing home.
Moms don’t have favorites. Sometimes one child is easier to raise than the others, is more like the mom, gets along better with the parent, etc, but I wouldnt call that a favorite.
I’ve missed Meghan too, she is the most interesting out of all the younger royals.
I am excited about seeing Meghan. I think the Cambridge kids are cute, obviously, but I think Meghan will still pull a lot of focus/attention since this will be her first appearance.
Last year, didn’t Kate and Camilla (and Meghan?) go on the balcony first, and THEN the kids came out? So if that’s the same, then people will get a look at Meghan without the kids.
@Becks1, I think she may not bring him. It’s a brilliant move. Because yes, people will oooo and ah over Louie and will compare the Royal debut. So what better way to avoid it by not bringing because he is too young and give him his own debut at another royal event to make it Archie’s own. That’s what I’m thinking will happen. That is what I would do. But Megs is a smarter chess player than I am. So I’m curious to see what happens.
archie is too young for this event. there’s no ‘will she or won’t she bring him?’ for this.
Oh I def don’t think she’s going to bring him. He’s a month old. But I like to think of the reaction if Harry or Meghan stepped out on the balcony with Archie strapped to them, lol.
Will and Kate certainly do make cute kids.
The haters will be furious when they hear the crowds as Meghan rolls by in her carriage. This will be followed by an anti-Meghan post in the Dim, the Snot, I mean, the Sun, etc.
Meghan was more towards the back last year probably because of rank, but I also think she was very nervous. I think this year, she’ll pull out all the stops.
Also, I would love it if Meghan and Harry showed up with Archie and one of them was wearing him in a sling lol. (I know he wont be there since he’s a month old, but the thought still cracks me up.)
Becks1 – I LURRRVE this thought too, and I want it to be Harry wearing Archie in some gender neutral color baby sling!
I’ve always wondered about Meghan and the balcony. Not that I’m trying to give Kate any benefit of the doubt, and I’m sure she will be up there like a cotton candy colored boss, again, but I always got the impression that Meghan may be afraid of heights? There are little things that make me wonder, like Harry asking her on the balcony several times if she was okay, and Harry moving them along quickly when they were on that bridge. I know, not enough to say that yes, she is afraid of heights, but it would kind of explain why she sometimes doesnt seem all that eager to walk out far on the balcony.
“cotton candy colored boss” – love it lol.
I wonder if she will wear one of those pleated dresses again. Like she wore last year, and the year before, and to Eugenie’s wedding. All different colors, obvi.
That’s an interesting point. It’s certainly possible, and if true, I’m right there with her. I hate heights. No matter how cool the view is, I’d be in a full silent panic attack up on a balcony like that.
I would not step on that balcony, it would never happen. If it meant divorce so be it.
I hate heights, particularly open air balconies, etc. I couldn’t do it.
I hope Meghan sits it out and deprives the press of any money-making pics of her.
There hasn’t been an official announcement that Meghan will be at Trooping. It makes me wonder if reporters are claiming she’ll be there so they can criticize her if she doesn’t show.
They’ll criticize her for some imaginary breach of “protocol” if she is there and if she’s not there they’ll screech about her “disrespect” for the Queen and how she’s destroying the monarchy or some such histrionics.
Ah, but if she’s there it’ll be because she’s desperate to be back in the limelight and she’s trying to “upstage” Louis’ first Trooping. Oh, and she’s a bad mother. And something else bonkers that I haven’t thought of yet.
If she doesn’t go and Harry does, then the press will be all “Harry is desperate to get away from his social climbing harpy American wife.” If he doesn’t go it’s because Meghan has his balls in a choke hold and she didn’t give him permission. I know Harry warned her before they married about this, but I doubt either of them thought it would be THIS bad. Neither can win in the evil press eye so they might as well do what they feel is best and most beneficial for THEM.
I think they are winning, sorry if that sounds like Charlie Sheen. We harp on the bad stories, and they are bad. However, I still feel most of the stories are positive. Also, I feel like both Meghan and Harry knew it would get like this. Marrying a Hollywood actress was definitely a smart thing as she understands how media works and how awful it can be. It will be nice to see her, but this is such a big occasion with a lot of pageantry, if she decides to not come, I don’t blame her. She might not feel like it only a month after giving birth to your first child, everyone is different. You guys are right no matter which way they choose there will be some negative press. So they should do what feels right to them.
This will be a nice palate cleanser after the wall to wall coverage of the Trump Klan invasion.
Isn’t Megan on maternity leave? I’d just chill if I were her. Take the leave.
Kate was on maternity leave last year too but she went to Trooping. I think Meghan will do the same. The press are already acting like this is a sure thing. If Meghan doesn’t show she will be criticised for disrespecting the queen, especially since Kate managed to go last year. And if she goes, Meghan haters and Kate stans will say that she is attention seeking and complain that she’s stealing focus from Louis first balcony appearance. These same ppl would also complain if she doesn’t show up. SMH.
Reminds me of the story about the Mom who was dying. She called in each of her children separately, and told them they’d always been her favorite, but not to tell the others. It always sounded like something my mother would do.
People will certainly find fault with the balcony line-up, but people always do. Someone will inch forward to get a better look and all hell will break loose. I’m interested in how Louis is dressed; I feel like he’ll get a more modern look than George always got.
Really? That would be refreshing. But somehow, I bet Kate’s pulling out Normal Bill’s old clothes from the archives again.
i could see it – he’s not the heir or the spare like his older siblings, he may not even be a working royal when he grows up. might as well set him apart in that regard.
This reminds me of last year, when Kate practically chained herself (front and centre) to the balcony, wearing a hat a foot higher than her head and what looked like 6 inch heels. She clearly had no intention of sharing the attention that day.
Let’s hope we get a slightly more relaxed display this year.
Didn’t William have to tell her to move, or step back or something? I remember there being a lot of talk about the balcony last year.
And of course Meghan was there with her bare shoulders, trying to destroy the monarchy. *clutches pearls*
@Bella Dupont That is actually ridiculous. I’m aware that I’ll be called a “Keen Supporter” if I dare speak up about any tin foil theories but I can’t help it. She had young kids at the front of the balcony! Of course she would be plastered up there. I remember Charlotte falling once during it, soooooo would you expect her to just hang out in the back? I expect Meghan to be just as pushy once Archie is old enough to toddle his way to the front with the other kids.
Also, as a tall person, we can’t wear heels now? Or a hat? Just wanted to confirm.
It’s not so much what she was wearing, as why she was wearing it. You can wear all the heels and hats you want.
Sigh, we had this discussion on CB last year…Kate got criticized because she’s tall and was wearing high heels and a high hat. The implication was that when you’re tall you should wear flats or low heels and low hats and not accentuate your height. As a tall woman I saw screw it, put on those high heels and stand tall.
@ Minx
Yes, we did have this discussion and I remember clarifying then as well that it was not a criticism of tall people, for goodness sake. Just so you know, I come from a pretty tall family myself (both brothers over 6’5), even though I’m only just slightly taller than average at 5’8, which is about Kate’s height (I think). So, nothing whatsoever against tall people or their choices.
@ Tate:
It was more her entire stance and aura – As Lady D correctly points out, it made me wonder why she was dressed like that. The sum of everything: the tall hat + high shoes + somewhat hostile body language + aggressive positioning, to me signaled that she was asserting her position, most likely over Meghan, who was behind her the whole time, looking smaller and not particularly happy.
That’s how I read it at the time, and nothing we’ve heard since then has re their feuds and the embiggening of the Cambridge’s has made me think any differently.
P.S: @ Minx: Superior height is a significant advantage in life, so can you please stop whining about it? It’s starting to feel like humble bragging, quite frankly. 😤😤
I went back and checked, one post had over 300 comments and the other over 200, so yes, we talked about the balcony and position etc quite a bit last year LOL.
I couldn’t find any of my comments so I don’t know what I said ha, but I do think Kate’s behavior was a bit…..something. I’m not sure if it was aggressive, but she definitely wanted to make her position clear. In other TTC years she has seemed more relaxed on the balcony. She seemed tense last year (that’s probably the best word for it.)
Bella, for men it’s an automatic advantage. For women, we are not supposed to take up too much room in the world—just as this discussion about Kate is demonstrating. If Kate was shorter no one would have cared what size heel or hat she wore.
@ Becks:
You’re right, I wouldn’t say she was outright aggressive. I think “passive aggressive” captures it better.
@ Minx
I think you’re missing something here……Kate has always been taller than Meghan yet, I don’t believe anybody’s ever commented on it before that event or since – why do you think that’s the case? I think it’s because nobody gives two shits about whether Meghan or Kate is taller. It’s immaterial.
Except that day, there was something different happening. Kate was using her height (amongst other things) as a weapon. And we all saw it. Clearly.
Re women taking up less room, I think Elle Macpherson and Karlie Kloss’ multi million $$ contracts would disagree with you there. 🙂
@Bella Dupont: Many women are famous for their femininity. This doesn’t mean femininity in general is not looked down on as a trait and used by many men (and some woman) to demean women. The average height of women in the UK is 5 foot 3, any height/feature way outside of the norm can be either celebrated or demeaned depending on (in my opinion) how attractive you’re seen as.
You think Kate was acting passive-aggressive, that’s you’re opinion. But I can distinctly remember comments (not made by you) last year or before about how Kate shouldn’t wear heels because she’s apparently too tall. It’s not surprising that many tall women slouch.
Bella, you’re making my point by saying Kate used her “height as a weapon.” Her height is her height. She can’t do anything about it. So yes that IS commenting on her height as was done here last Trooping of the Color. She has a right to wear whatever heels or hats she wants and shouldn’t feel obliged to do otherwise because people are shorter than she is.
And supermodels are supermodels. Not every tall woman is beautiful and thin and stylish. We all look different, just taller.
I had to go back and look up the photos from last year’s balcony. Oh yeah, there was definitely some heel digging and assertion in that body language from Kate. And I am not a Kate hater by any means.
On another note, while Kate’s hat was rather tall and huge, I must say that is one of the prettiest hats she’s ever worn. I like her in soft blue.
Things aren’t always what they seem in video or stills. I’ve dealt with celebrity events before and people will tell me this is what happened and bla bla was rude to bla bla, and I was there the whole time and that’s not the situation at all. My experience is unless you are there it’s hard to tell what’s happening. Sure sometimes it seems obvious, but without clear audio it can be easily misinterpreted. I’ve decided a lot of people love talking about drama and are very creative. Create away though it is entertaining.
I don’t think I agree that people were criticising Kate for being tall. She is tall, but she was also wearing very high heels and a very high hat and there were people (not just Meghan) behind her. I’m tall, but if people got annoyed at me for wearing a huge hat to the cinema that blocked the view of people behind me they wouldn’t be criticising me for being tall, they would be criticising me for being rude.
Everybody talks about how tall Kate is – especially the press. But the fact of the matter is she isn’t as tall as they make her out to be. 5’7″ by many people’s estimation. She herself wants to accentuate height by wearing such high heels, and this isn’t something she did in her earlier life. Just since being associated with William. I don’t really understand why she does that, particularly since her posture is atrocious and those heels can’t be helping one bit.
And her shoe game isn’t even at all interesting.
That’s my take on it Bella. It must have pissed her off knowing she was no longer the most interesting royal to a lot of people.
I am a tall person who is always positioned in the back row due to my height. Next time I’ll throw a hissy fit and demand to be positioned front and center 😆
What I remember about the hats last year is that BOTH Kate and Meghan had them plastered to the sides of their heads, instead of on top — as if they don’t understand how hats work. I mean, I KNOW the hats are decoration and not practical, but when I see someone squinting in the bright sunlight despite wearing a 2-foot wide hat (on the side of their head), it makes the wearer look stupid. Hopefully they will both figure out how hats works this year.
I wonder if she will. There’s no reason to. It’s not as if she’s not going to celebrate privately with the Queen. I say let the Cambridges have the balcony and stay home with Archie.
I’m looking forward to seeing Louis. He’s so stinkin’ adorable. I hope Meghan is there, too, but it would make complete sense of she sits it out, since she’s still on maternity leave. No matter what she does, people are going to whine, so she should just do what feels right for her.
Those kids are adorable.
W & K + plus the young kids are a lovely young family.
Young kids are a lot of fun, I am amazed at how well George and Char handle the crowds.
I don’t like all the constant press trying to have Will & Harry and their families in competition.
“”W & K + plus the young kids are a lovely young family.” Just not a happy one, if William is out screwing around on her.
Louis reminds me of the little baby on the cover of a really old Little Golden Book. I can’t remember the name. Cherubic.
Meghan should sit this one out.
The balcony is beginning to look like a three ring circus during Trooping the Colour!
It’s time to phase out some people!
I agree, should be Charles and his kids plus wives and grandkids, that’s it
It is also a safety issue. That balcony cannot safely hold so many generations of people.
They need to start limiting the generations of the Queen’s cousins. There is no reason for all of the generations of the Gloucesters and Kents to be there.
Agreed, if lines are being drawn, it should be for QE’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Everyone else can sit it out.
Never thought of it as a safety issue until I read this comment. How crazy (and sad) would that be? Reminds me of the whole “King Ralph” movie.
This last month without Meghan has been a stark reminder of how dull the BRF was in the years between W&K’s wedding and Meghan’s arrival on the scene. Here’s hoping she’s there on Saturday!
Will Prince Louis be joining to distract from the fact that british tabloids finally finally mentioned RoseWho yesterday? Happy families
He’ll be joining because all her children attend Trooping at least after their first birthday. Not everything the they do is some elaborate scheme
But don’t you know all of the Cambridges children were born because somehow Will and Kate knew that Meghan was joining the family and they were already super jealous in 2012. In fact, Kate’s mother deliberately had her only because Doris had Meghan. /sarcasm
My inner tinfoil hat refuses to believe that this Private Normal Family does anything without it being a scheme. They have cute kids and love them but they also know how to get good press.
I don’t really see how seeking good press is now seen as a bad thing. The royal family rely on good press. Do you think the Sussexes publicise good causes and their events simply because they’re good of heart , and this publicising just so happens to make them look good? The royal family have always had they’re children on the balcony as soon as they were old enough. If Kate and Will suddenly stopped bringing them it would be very odd and there’d be some other contrived excuse to see it as scheming.
No! No! No! I totally love the harmony & mediocrity of the BRF. Im fine with the apex of their achievements being the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme & the Princes Trust. I loathe loathe any controversy around them & that includs Di & Meg. & Im a true republican. otoh maybe its time for them all to be pensioned off but Id still like it to be done in an orderly manner.
I get why you’d think that Diana was controversial with her authorized tell-all books and throwing herself down the stairs while pregnant but what has Meghan down that’s so controversial? It seems to be just her doing work with charities. Most of the controversy seems to be just people’s bad reactions to her.
Also the Princes Trust was set up in ’76, the BRF needs fresh ideas and Meghan brings those.
I mean if Meghan is there she will get the most press. No one has seen here since they introduced archie. That’s who people will be talking about. Just like last year.
Lol…she’s been on maternity leave and the press is still obsessed with her.
The Cambs are really going hard on showing the kids lately it seems to me.
Kate was on the balcony during her mat leaves with charlotte and Louis, who were about the same age as Archie. The theory was that if she didn’t show up to Trooping then it would look bad for her to go to Wimbledon during her “leave”. I assume Meghan would follow the same pattern since she likely wants to watch her bff Serena play at Wimbledon.
It would be great if Meghan got to talk to Serena at Wimbledon, I don’t remember seeing her with her friends since the wedding (although they might have met privately), would be great to have that public support for both Serena and meghan
No, she’s talking about Kate on the balcony. I don’t think Kate has missed a Trooping the Colour since getting married.
I realise that now that I’ve re-read the comment. Sorry about that Melissa!
I can’t wait to see Trooping this Saturday, I always enjoy it. Little Louis is gonna be so cute. Plus, Zara and Peter’s children are always a rambunctious handful, which is fun.
I have a 17 year old son and an 11 year old daughter… a teenage boy and a tween girl. Needless to say neither one of my children are my favorites at the moment!
ETA: this should have gone in the replies at the top!
The tinfoil hats are on a little tight today.
They always are..
Kate has behaved atrociously on that Trooping of the Colour Balcony
Last year William did have to ask her to move along. She was completely blocking one side. The year before she went charging onto the balcony directly after the Queen, ahead of Charles and Camilla. Terrible manners. I think it could stem from a few years ago when she was shoved into the back and another year when no-one spoke to her. She did use her height as a weapon last year. No-one is asking her to wear flats but she must have been about eight feet tall on that balcony – two feet high hat and six inch heels. The Queen is a little stooped now and Kate towered like a giant. It is the Queen’s day. Not Kate’s . A little more blending in would have been in order.
Is it pronounced “louie” or with the hard “s”? I never know!
French style, Louie.
It’s “Louie”.
Thank you for clarifying!
If Kate has got a favorite, its def her girl Charlotte. I tend to think she doesn’t have a favorite though, and is the kind of mother who gives herself wholly to each of her children. There are moms who lose themselves in their kids and I think Kate is one of those moms/wives.