Why Prince Louis is allowed to bypass a very significant royal tradition

Prince Louis has been able to bypass a long-standing tradition followed by his older brother, Prince George, and his father, Prince William. 

• New pictures of Prince Louis appear to confirm the Duchess of Cambridge is not following the same clothing rules she did with Prince George and Princess Charlotte
• Prince Louis has been spotted wearing trousers on two recent occasions, whilst Prince George used to wear shorts for public appearances 
• It follows royal news that the Cambridge Christmas plans have been dashed as the Middleton's are plunged into Tier 4

Prince Louis is the first royal son to bypass the royal tradition of wearing shorts.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's youngest son has sparked conversation among royal circles as he has worn trousers, rather than shorts, during his last two appearances.

By comparison, his brother Prince George was dressed in shorts until he transitioned into trousers whilst acting as a Page Boy at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in 2018, aged five. 

Prince George and Princess Charlotte have traditionally worn 'old-fashioned clothes'.

According to Etiquette expert, William Hanson, the transition from shorts to trousers marks a milestone in aristocracy. 

He told Harper's Bazaar, "Trousers are for older boys and men, whereas shorts on young boys is one of those silent class markers that we have in England.

“Although times are slowly changing, a pair of trousers on a young boy is considered quite middle class — quite suburban.

"And no self-respecting aristo or royal would want to be considered suburban.”

But this break in tradition is a sign that Duchess Catherine is fluid and flexible when it comes to raising her children in the modern world.

After all, despite his royal roots, Prince Louis is just like any other two-year-old.

And, the Duchess recently revealed, does not understand the concept of social distancing amid the global pandemic.

She revealed, "Louis doesn't understand social distancing.

"So he goes out wanting to cuddle everything, particularly any babies younger than him."