The Prince and Princess of Wales have shared a rare glimpse into their family life with a heartwarming video to thank supporters for sending ‘birthday wishes’ for Prince Louis, who has turned eight today.

Prince William and Kate’s youngest son was filmed playing in the sand, enjoying a game of cricket and running along the beach during a fun-filled holiday to Cornwall during his Easter break earlier this month.

Proving he’s just as adventurous as he is cheeky, the fearless young royal was also captured eagerly diving into the sea from a height.

The sweet clip was posted on Kensington Palace’s social media accounts with the message: ‘Thank you for all the birthday wishes for Prince Louis. 8 is great!’

Photographer Matt Porteous, to whom the Waleses often turn to mark family occasions, captured the footage.

A love of the water runs in the family. William used to surf while studying in St Andrews, while Kate is a fan of cold water swimming.

It is not known which beach the royals visited, but the Prince of Wales inherited the vast Duchy of Cornwall landed estate and the title the Duke of Cornwall when he became heir to the throne in 2022.

Earlier today, Kate and William celebrated their son’s birthday with a new portrait of the young royal onboard a boat during their holiday.

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The Prince and Princess of Wales have shared a rare glimpse into their family life with a heartwarming video to thank supporters for sending ‘birthday wishes’ for Prince Louis

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Taken earlier this month during the family’s Easter break, the sweet clip was posted on Kensington Palace’s social media accounts with the message: ‘Thank you for all the birthday wishes for Prince Louis. 8 is great!’

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The Prince and Princess of Wales have marked their son Prince Louis’s eighth birthday with a new photograph of the young royal this morning

A grinning Louis is shown with his arms folded, leaning back against the vessel’s metal barrier with the sea as the backdrop in the adorable picture.

He sported a £42 blue, textured, quarter zip-style jumper from Boden for the portrait, which was captioned: ‘Happy birthday, Louis! Eight today!’ followed by a red balloon emoji.

Seafaring runs in the family. Louis’s great-grandfather, Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, was known for his Naval service, and became Admiral of the Fleet.

Louis’s grandfather, King Charles, also served in the Navy as the Prince of Wales, commanding HMS Bronington, and Louis’s namesake – Earl Mountbatten – became the First Sea Lord.

The picture of the young royal onboard a boat was taken during the same family holiday as the film, and again captured by photographer Matt Porteous.

William, Kate and their children spent the spring holiday together, and Louis was last seen at church with the rest of the Royal Family on Easter Sunday.

The Prince is expected to spend today with his friends at Lambrook School in Berkshire, where he is currently studying alongside siblings, Prince George, 12, and Princess Charlotte, ten.

As soon as the image was posted, hundreds of well-wishers left heartfelt messages for the royal. ‘He looks so mature,’ one fan commented, while another said Louis was his mother Kate’s ‘mini me’ in the ‘lovely’ photo.

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Proving he’s just as adventurous as he is cheeky, the young royal was also captured eagerly diving into the sea

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Prince William and Kate’s youngest son was filmed playing in the sand, enjoying a game of cricket and running along the beach

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Prince Louis was filmed enjoying a game of cricket during his holiday to Cornwall

Supporters were struck by how ‘grown up’ Louis looked, after the playful Prince joined his family for the Easter Service at St George’s Chapel earlier this month.

Like his father and brother, Louis wore a dark blue suit to the traditional service. He and George had matching ties on with their double- and single-breasted jackets respectively.

While the youngest Wales child has won over royal fans with his cheeky antics during official engagements, Louis was on his best behaviour as he walked alongside his parents and waved bashfully at fans gathered outside the church in Windsor.

‘Young HRH Prince Louis is learning very well,’ one person praised his behaviour on X at the time.

Prince Louis Arthur Charles was born at 11.01am on April 23, 2018, at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, and was first photographed with William, now 43, and Kate, now 44, outside the Lindo Wing.

A statement from Kensington Palace at the time read: ‘Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 1101hrs.

‘The baby weighs 8lbs 7oz. The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth. Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well.’

Since then, he’s become known for his flair in front of the camera and has previously delighted royal fans with his expressive performances at events.