The Duchess of Cambridge was pictured on her 38th birthday last week, with her youngest son Prince Louis in the back of the car. And fans adored seeing the pair together, especially after spotting that little Louis was sucking his thumb – a habit that Kate has previously been seen trying to distract him from while at Trooping the Colour last year. After photos were released, many people took to commenting on them on social media, with one writing: "Adore Louis with his thumb in his mouth," while another wrote: "How cute is Louis sucking his thumb?" A third added: "Love that Louis is a thumb sucker, it makes him look all the more cute!"
WATCH: Prince Louis adorably steals the show at Trooping the Colour
Kate was no doubt spoilt by her doting family on her birthday, and her dad Michael Middleton was pictured arriving at Kensington Palace on Thursday evening, where they were celebrating in private once George and Charlotte were home from school. The weekend before she turned 38, Kate had marked her birthday with her friends and parents at the family's country home, Anmer Hall, in Norfolk, and was pictured with them and William attending the Sunday service at St Mary Magdalene Church.
MORE: Sandringham summit held in room that holds childhood memories for Prince Harry
Louis was first pictured sucking his thumb at Trooping the Colour
While Kate and William's two elder children were seen on Christmas Day during their first walkabout in Sandringham, little Louis stayed at home. The one-year-old had last been seen in early December while in the car on the Cambridges' way to the Queen's annual Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace. The young royal was dressed in a cosy, green Christmas jumper from Kate's go-to children's label, Amaia Kids.
Although Louis is often kept out of the public eye, his doting parents often talk about him and his siblings while they are on public engagements. Kate recently revealed that her youngest child is going through a new phase of wanting to be with his mum at all times while at a Family Action event in December. After spotting a young boy who tried to get her attention by waving his hand in the air and shouting: "Me, me," Kate responded: "You remind me of my little Louis, he keeps saying 'Me, me, me,' and he wants to come everywhere with me." Louis is also thought to keep his parents on their toes. During a visit to Bletchley Park in May, Kate got talking to fellow parents about their children, and revealed that her little boy – who had just turned one at the time – had a mischievous side to him. She said: "I turned around the other day and he was at the top of the slide – I had no idea!"
RECOMMENDED: The Queen releases statement about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal future
Make sure you never miss a ROYAL story! Sign up to our newsletter to get all of our celebrity, royal and lifestyle news delivered directly to your inbox.