Everyone has the same question about Prince Louis after he makes first ever Sandringham Christmas appearance
The answer to why Louis was wearing shorts in the cold weather is a Royal Family tradition


The Royal Family put on a strong front for their first Sandringham Christmas in three years. Not only were all senior members of the family there, they were joined by the likes of Princess Beatrice's stepson and Lady Chatto, Charles’ cousin. It also marked Prince Louis’ first appearance at the Christmas service, but many people are asking why the young prince was wearing shorts on the cold, winter’s day.
- Prince Louis made his first appearance at the Royal Family’s Sandringham Christmas service, where the little prince delighted crowds and even accepted a small toy
- However, many people were wondering why Louis was wearing shorts on such a cold day – the reason being an old custom followed by English royals and aristocracy
- In other royal news, King Charles pays tribute to the most important lessons taught by his mother, the power of faith and service
Prince Louis stole the show at his first ever Christmas Day Sandringham service.
Joining the likes of his parents, Prince William and Kate Middleton, who rewore a chic khaki coat with a jaunty feathered hat, Louis was all smiles and waves as he greeted the Christmassy crowd.
Louis was even lucky enough to be given a Christmas toy from someone.
Despite his winning appearance, many have been asking the same thing – just why is the young royal in a pair of shorts in the dead of winter?
The answer, like most things to do with the Royal Family, dates back centuries.
Like his brother, Prince George, and even Princes William and Harry when they were younger, Louis follows a custom of the British aristocracy and upper classes.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
Back in 2016, after the Royal Tour in Canada where people asked the same question about George’s shorts, royal expert William Hanson told Harper’s Bazaar that tradition dictates boys of the upper classes wear shorts year-round until they are about eight years old.
“Trousers are for older boys and men, whereas shorts on young boys is one of those silent class markers that we have in England,” he told the magazine. “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.”
The tradition, William suggests, likely comes from the centuries-old practice of “breeching.” Until the 1920s, boys in Western Europe were expected to wear dresses exclusively for the first years of their lives, according to the V&A Museum of Childhood.
Thus, the boy was “breeched” when he was given his first pair of short trousers (also known as breeches), usually in a formal ceremony marking his journey “from babyhood to boyhood.”
“Young boys would not have felt conspicuous,” the museum explains, “as at the time wearing a dress was considered normal, although they would have undoubtedly looked forward to getting their first trousers and being thought of as more grown-up.”
For Louis’ older brother, his first moment wearing trousers was a monumental one. George first wore a pair of long trousers at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Savile Row tailors Dege Skinner custom-made a frockcoat and trousers for George which resembled the Blues and Royals for William.
Since Louis is only four years old, he might have a few more winters wearing shorts ahead of him.

Jack Slater is not the Last Action Hero, but that's what comes up first when you Google him. Preferring a much more sedentary life, Jack gets his thrills by covering news, entertainment, celebrity, film and culture for woman&home, and other digital publications.
Having written for various print and online publications—ranging from national syndicates to niche magazines—Jack has written about nearly everything there is to write about, covering LGBTQ+ news, celebrity features, TV and film scoops, reviewing the latest theatre shows lighting up London’s West End and the most pressing of SEO based stories.
-
Sarah Jessica Parker just gave her skinny jeans a surprising spring update and the result has us reaching for this outfit combination
Sarah Jessica Parker shows us how to update jeans to wear them throughout spring with one simple styling trick
By Rivkie Baum
-
My confidence 'soared' after I tried the 3-2-1 workout method - here's how it revolutionised my routine
For the past two weeks, I have been doing the 3-2-1 workout method to boost my fitness, flexibility, and strength
By Susan Griffin
-
Kate Middleton is that you? Her floral dress, side-swept fringe and pink blazer deserve a comeback
The building blocks for the Princess’ signature style were always there in her looks and this outfit can easily be updated for 2025.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Kate Middleton and Prince William to spend anniversary in bittersweet location holding 'happiest and saddest' memories
Just like King Charles and Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales will mark their wedding anniversary away from home this year.
By Emma Shacklock
-
I’ve been writing about the royals for years - here’s what I predict Kate Middleton will wear at Easter (and what I wish she’d wear instead)
All eyes will be on the Princess of Wales if she attends the Royal Family's Easter Sunday church service for the first time since 2023
By Emma Shacklock
-
Remember when Prince William and Kate Middleton broke royal protocol at Easter? Here's why it's unlikely to happen again
The Royal Family might be taking a more modern approach these days, but there are some traditions and protocols that they still uphold.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Kate Middleton's go-to bag for special occasions is a wedding season essential you'll reach for time and time again
The Princess of Wales always reaches for the same elegant style of bag for formal events and it works beautifully for weddings.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Kate Middleton declares baker boy hats back for 2025 in new Love Actually-esque outfit
The Princess of Wales's signature style is all about timelessness but that doesn’t mean that she never gets on board with trends.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Prince George will start a new school this year and 'smart money' is on Kate and William choosing this one, says royal expert
Prince George only has just over a year left at Lambrook School and Emily Andrews believes there's a top contender for his next one.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Queen Camilla takes note of Kate Middleton's love of polka dots with charming collared number in Rome
If we had to pick the Princess of Wales’s favourite print it would be polka dots and Queen Camilla just emulated her style in Rome.
By Emma Shacklock