Kate Middleton breaks from tradition in latest Father’s Day tribute post

The Wales children have shared a heartwarming tribute to their ‘Papa’ Prince William for Father’s Day today.

However, in a break from tradition, keen photographer Kate Middleton, 43, chose not to capture the image to commemorate the special celebration.

Sharing their love, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven, cuddled up to their father as they posed for photos with Prince William.

In one of the images, shared on Instagram, the royal children – all sporting dusky green ensembles beamed as they faced the camera as William affectionately placed his hands on his children’s shoulders.

In a second, more candid snap, the youngsters tackled their father with hugs, laughing as they played in a patch of grass.

‘Happy Father’s Day, Papa,’ the caption read, highlighting that the more posed picture with the family smiling for the camera is the ‘before’, while the more candid monochrome shot of them giggling together is the ‘after’. ‘We love you! G, C & L.’

Josh Shinner, one of the family’s trusted professional photographers, captured both images, as opposed to Prince William’s wife, Kate, who has, over the years, put herself behind the lens to capture family moments.

Last Father’s Day, Kate left royal fans in tears over her ‘perfect’ Father’s Day photo of Prince William with Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

The Princess of Wales broke tradition with her family’s latest Father’s Day post (pictured Prince William with his children, from L to R, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, and Prince George, in the new post)

Shared on Instagram and X, the picture was posted alongside a personally signed social media post from the three children, declaring ‘We love you, Papa. Happy Father’s Day.’

Kensington Palace said Kate’s picture of William, George, Charlotte, and Prince Louis, was taken on the Norfolk coast in May last year.

The post was the first time a message from the three children featured on the family’s social media accounts – and some fans couldn’t cope after seeing the ‘sweetest’ photo and caption.

‘My leaky eyes are leaking again! Beautiful photo Thank you,’ wrote one person in the comment section of the post.

Another said: ‘What a beautiful photo, thank you for sharing,’ while a third added: ‘This photo and their message… just perfect.’

‘So heartwarming! A beautiful Father’s Day tribute from the little royals,’ another person said. A fifth wrote: ‘This is the sweetest picture.’

Earlier this year, for Prince Louis’s birthday, Josh too was the cameraman behind the seven-year-old’s portrait.

The photo of Louis appears to have been taken on the same day as the adorable family photo unveiled today, while the Waleses were in Norfolk.

Last year’s image, taken by Kate, showed the trio on a beach trip alongside their father, posing with their backs to the camera as they looked out to sea

Sharing their love, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte , 10, and Prince Louis , seven, cuddled up to their dad as they posed for photos with Prince William to commemorate the special celebration today

The sweet post proves to be yet another break from tradition for Prince William’s wife Kate, who has over the years put herself behind the lens to capture family moments

The new social media post comes after the family celebrated Trooping the Colour yesterday.

On Saturday the country came together to mark King Charles’ official birthday amid a spectacular display of military pomp and pageantry before the Royal Family waved to crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace as part of an annual tradition. 

This year, Charles, 76, and Queen Camilla, 77, were joined by the Waleses as well as Princess Anne and her husband, Vice-admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. 

Also in attendance were the Duke of Kent and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh in a display of solidarity that rounded out the festivities – but one member stole the spotlight. 

Prince William and Kate Middleton’s youngest child, Louis, put on his most animated display yet as he waved excitedly at fans while showing off his gap-toothed grin – much to the amusement of his siblings. 

Ever the composed older brother, Prince George gently tried to calm Louis down by placing one hand on his arm as their father William, 40, looked affectionately down at his sons – while Princess Kate and Charlotte, 10, took in their surroundings. 

At one point, Louis turned to his grandfather Charles and appeared to make an observation about the fighter jets flying overhead as a body language expert noted Louis’ effervescent personality shone through from the balcony. 

Ever the composed older brother, Prince George gently tried to calm Louis down by placing one hand on his arm as their father William, 40, looked affectionately down at his sons – while Princess Kate and Charlotte, 10, took in their surroundings

Prince Louis made his most memorable Trooping the Colour appearance today as the young royal’s antics ensured all eyes were on him during the famed Royal Air Force flypast over Buckingham Palace

Louis covered his face as he and older brother, Prince George, arrived at Buckingam Palace after Trooping the Colour ceremony in London on the occasion of their grandfather, King Charles’ official birthday

If Louis once found the proceedings overwhelming, you wouldn’t know it from the way he snuck in one final wave before Kate, 43, gently ushered her brood back into Buckingham Palace after the spectacular flypast was concluded. 

Commenting on the young royal’s reluctance to go back inside, Judi James told MailOnline: ‘There was a seismic change in royal body language signals on the balcony with Louis suddenly morphing into the most visible and active royal but for all the right reasons. 

‘Instead of his usual playful activities, he appeared totally focused on the aircraft, only turning to his dad to show off his plane spotting skills, with the affirming nods from William suggesting his younger son is becoming a bit of an aircraft expert

‘It was also Louis lingering longer before going back in, to gaze down at the crowds and to keep up the increasingly royal looking waves longer than the rest of the Firm.’ 

Taking cues from his father and grandfather, Louis attempted different variations of his royal wave while making sure his siblings were thoroughly entertained throughout their balcony appearance – one of the most eagerly-awaited moments of the day. 

Louis also joined Princess Charlotte, Prince George, and the Duchess of Edinburgh in observing one minute of silence in honour of the 241 passengers and crew killed in the Air India plane crash on Thursday, when a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for Gatwick Airport came down in the Indian city of Ahmedabad.

During the King’s Birthday Parade – the third of Charles’ reign – the Wales children rode in a carriage with Kate as they waved at onlookers gathered along The Mall to watch the procession. 

Prince Louis, the spirited third child of the Prince and Princess of Wales, is pictured flashing a grin during Trooping the Colour on Saturday

A gust of wind caught Prince Louis off guard, as he beamed out at the crowds with windswept hair

The animated youngster pulled faces throughout the parade, as he shared a carriage with his mother and siblings

Prince Louis caught the attention of royal watchers as he flashed a cheeky grin and waved at the assembled crowds during Trooping the Colour on Saturday.

As the carriage made its way towards Buckingham Palace, Louis grinned sheepishly at Prince George as Kate and Charlotte – who both paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II by wearing pieces of jewellery she loved – laughed and chatted away. 

As their carriage pulled up outside the gates of Buckingham Palace, George couldn’t help himself from laughing as Louis pulled funny faces while feigning exasperation as the cheekiest royal dramatically leaned back into his seat. 

When Prince George covered his face, his younger brother quickly followed suit and copied his actions before Kate led her and Prince William’s children inside to prepare them for the flypast. 

Ahead of yesterday’s celebrations, crowds of well-wishers and royal fans had started lining the Mall. If the cardboard cutouts they carried were any indication, the Princess of Wales’ arrival was most eagerly anticipated. 

Photos showed a group of Britons holding up a life-sized picture of the Princess of Wales, wearing the red, long-sleeved Alexander McQueen dress she most famously donned for the Diamond Jubilee pageant in 2012. 

Another person was carting around a cut-out of King Charles, dressed in full military regalia, in a show of support for the monarch as he continues to receive treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer. 

No doubt the appearance of Prince Louis – the youngest of the Wales’ siblings – was also highly anticipated. 

As their carriage pulled up outside the gates of Buckingham Palace, George couldn’t help himself from laughing as Louis pulled funny faces while feigning exasperation as the cheekiest royal dramatically leaned back into his seat

Kate led her children into Buckingham Palace to prepare for the balcony appearance. She wore a coat dress by Catherine Walker 

Kate and her brood! Prince Louis looks grumpy as Prince George and Princess Catherine flash beaming smiles while Princess Charlotte, with her hair in an elegant style, watches on 

Taking cues from his father and grandfather, Louis attempted different variations of his royal wave while making sure his siblings were thoroughly entertained throughout their balcony appearance – one of the most eagerly-awaited moments of the day

Louis also joined Prince George (left), Princess Charlotte (centre) and the Duchess of Edinburgh in observing one minute of silence in honour of the 241 passengers and crew killed in the Air India plane crash on Thursday

From left to right: Queen Camilla, King Charles, Prince William, Princess Catherine and the three Wales children enjoy the flypast 

He is known for his cheeky antics, and last year he stole the show. During one of his many animated displays, the young prince was caught on camera scrunching up his face, while Kate appeared to crouch down to talk with her son on a balcony on Horse Guards Parade.

The Prince and Princess of Wales’ youngest child was also captured yawning at the London event, which usually consists of more than 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses, 400 musicians and a flyover of 70 aircraft.

Seemingly not occupied enough by the parade, at one point, the cheeky prince was even caught tugging on the cord for the blinds as he chatted to his mother. 

Louis, who was wearing a double breasted blazer, a pair of shorts, a crisp shirt and a tie last year, could not hide his facial expressions – much to the enjoyment of fans. 

He even attempted to try and open the window on the balcony next to the Duchess of Edinburgh, gripping the frame as he tried to pull it up. 

And the prince looked less than impressed during the ride, knitting his brows together at points as he stared out of the window, open-mouthed. 

The Wales were once again, typically stylish for the event this year as they made their arrival. 

Trooping the Colour is a centuries-old tradition that marks the Sovereign’s official birthday.

It dates back to the 17th century and is rooted in battlefield custom, when regimental flags, or ‘colours,’ were trooped in front of soldiers to ensure they could be recognised amid the smoke of combat.