In years past Prince Harry was often spotted wearing the hand-me-downs of his older brother William, and for Prince Louis donning George’s best-loved outfits has also become a regular occurance.
Tonight Prince Louis, two, wore a recognisable smart blue felt jacket – now outgrown by Prince George, seven – as he took an outing to The London Palladium in the West End to watch performance of Pantoland.
Eagle-eyed fans of the royals may remember the jacket’s first appearance, worn by Prince George in 2017 to the Queen’s Christmas Lunch, his great grandmother.
The quaint little ‘Austrian wool’ jacket, is available for £85 from Amaiakids, and described as a ‘stylish Dutch blue with navy piping details. Very warm yet very elegant and lightweight.’
Little Louis looked adorable as he arrived holding the hand of his mother, Duchess of Cambridge, to London Palladium in the West End to watch Pantoland, Friday evening
In previous years the same ‘Austrian wool’ jacket was worn by his older brother Prince George, pictured here in 2017 on the way to the Queen’s Christmas lunch with mother Kate
All three Cambridge children, Louis, George and Charlotte, five, appeared to enjoy the performance of Pantoland this evening – staring Julian Clary, Elaine Paige and a host of stars – as they sat on the laps of their parents, William and Kate, in the royal box.
It was the Cambridges’ first red carpet engagement as a family of five.
When the Cambridges first arrived the youngsters had stopped briefly to watch actors dressed as elves entertaining the guests on the red carpet.
The children, who appeared apprehensive when they arrived, soon relaxed and looked on with glee as they took their seats and saw their father making a speech before the performance.
Prince William delivered a thoughtful and fitting tribute to the ‘national treasure’ Dame Barbara Windsor by taking the stage at a Christmas pantomime ahead of the show.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte attend a special pantomime performance at London’s Palladium Theatre, hosted by The National Lottery
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their children Prince George (right), Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis (left) ahead of a special pantomime performance at The London Palladium, hosted by The National Lottery on Friday
Addressing the audience the Duke of Cambridge said: ‘Before I go on, I want to pause and pay tribute to a true national treasure, Dame Barbara Windsor, who so sadly passed away last night.
‘She was a giant of the entertainment world, and of course a legend on pantomime stages across the country including here at the London Palladium. And I know we’ll all miss her hugely.’
The star died at a London care home on Thursday night at the age of 83 following a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
The Duchess of Cambridge with Prince Louis on her lap as Princess Charlotte rests her head of her mother ahead of the performance
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis had their first experience of a royal box, chatting excitedly (with the Duchess of Cambridge) as they waited for the start of the performance of ‘Pantoland’, starring Julian Clary and Elaine Page
Prince William also thanked ‘key workers’, who were invited to the performance as a small reward for the work they continue to do through the pandemic.
William added: ‘We are here tonight for a very special performance. Special, because of you – the key workers here in the audience.
‘You include community workers, volunteers, teachers, NHS staff, representatives from the emergency services and military, researchers working on the vaccine, people helping the homeless, those manning vital call centres, and staff from a wide range of frontline charities – to name but a few.
The Duke of Cambridge gave a speech on stage and thanked Britain’s key workers and sweetly marked the death of Dame Barbara Windsor, a fitting tribute given her frequent appearance as a pantomime star
‘You have given your absolute all this year, and made remarkable sacrifices.’
When William returned to the Royal Box after his speech, there was a swift shuffling of seats, as the duke sat between his eldest son and daughter, leaving Charlotte briefly holding her face in her hand for some reason, as Louis sat on Kate’s lap.
Earlier this week the duke and duchess travelled 1,250 miles around the country, during a three-day tour on the royal train, to thank frontline and key workers, communities and individuals for their efforts during the pandemic.