Royals

Charles plays doting grandad in rare photo with Prince Louis and Catherine

Nov 09, 2018

A sweet photo of Prince Louis and Prince Charles was released in a new BBC documentary about the future king. Source: Getty

Prince William and wife Catherine have stuck with tradition with each of their children and kept them relatively out of the limelight in their first few years – with Prince Louis only pictured after his birth and at his christening.

But now in a rare move, the palace has released a stunning official photo of the tiny tot in his mother’s arms as he plays with doting grandfather Prince Charles – and he looks just like his older brother Prince George did at the same age.

The picture, taken by photographer Chris Jackson, was featured in a new BBC documentary called Prince, Son And Heir: Charles At 70, marking Charles’ 70th birthday next week.

It shows proud mum Catherine smiling at her father-in-law in a a spotted blue dress as she holds her youngest son in her arms in front of her. Louis, who has grown a lot in his first few months, is wearing a white shirt and blue shorts and is happily reaching out to his grandad who is stood in front of him.

Tucked away in tonight’s @BBCOne documentary on Prince Charles at 70 was a @ChrisJack_Getty picture of grandad with Prince Louis 📷 pic.twitter.com/S8zrZRMvQR

— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) November 8, 2018

Charles is laughing happily as he holds hands with the adorable baby, while appearing to chat directly to him. Louis was aged around five months at the time, as according to multiple UK reports, the photo was taken in September in the gardens at Charles’ Clarence House home.

Meanwhile, a second photo shows Charles once again playing doting grandad as he plays with his wife the Duchess of Cornwall’s grandchildren in the garden. He is seen spinning a girl around by her hands, believed to be Lola Parker Bowles, daughter of Camilla’s son Tom.

Prince Charles was also seen spinning one of Camilla's grandchildren round. Source: YouTube/S-Rank TV. — Prince Charles was also seen spinning one of Camilla’s grandchildren round. Source: YouTube/S-Rank TV.

The beautiful photos came as part of the new BBC documentary, which featured interviews with some of Charles’ closest relatives – including his sons William and Harry.

According to The Sun, William admitted at one point that he wishes his father could see more of his kids, adding: “I would like him to have more time with the children. I think now he’s reached his 70th year it’s a perfect time to consolidate a little bit.

https://youtu.be/UKtTsViKtW8

“Because as most families would do, you are worried about having them around and making sure their health’s okay. And he’s the fittest man I know but equally I want him to be fit until he’s 95, you know, going on.

“So, having more time with him at home would be lovely, and being able to you, know, play around with the grandchildren. Because when he’s there, he’s brilliant. But we need him there as much as possible.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlSWcJunlMb/

Meanwhile, Harry opened up about the touching moment he asked his dad to walk Meghan down the aisle at their royal wedding in May.

Harry, 34, said Charles didn’t hesitate to step in after Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle, was forced to pull out due to health issues. It was reported at the time that a heart operation meant the 74-year-old was unable to fly from Mexico to the United Kingdom for the wedding of the year.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlRHijhn6dt/

In the documentary, Harry explained he thought his father knew he was going to be asked to step in for Thomas.

“I asked him to and I think he knew it was coming and he immediately said, ‘Yes, of course, I’ll do whatever Meghan needs and I’m here to support you’,” Prince Harry says in the documentary, according to People magazine. “For him that’s a fantastic opportunity to step up and be that support, and you know he’s our father so of course he’s gonna be there for us.”