Here’s why Prince Louis will not be at next week’s royal wedding

Kensington Palace has announced that the littlest royal, newborn Prince Louis, will not be attending Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding on May 19, and we’ve got to say it makes perfect sense.

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Welcome to the family. Thank you everyone for your kind wishes.

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Apr 23, 2018 at 10:05am PDT

No Louis for you!

Of course, we’ll be a tiny bit disappointed that we don’t get to see Louis in his baby sailor suit/wee knickerbocker-style wedding finery, but considering he was only born a few weeks previously it follows that he’s a little too fresh to have a role.

Louis was born on April 23, making him just shy of 4 weeks old on the day of the nuptials. We can’t imagine anywhere a baby would like to be less than a globally televised wedding alongside busy parents, surrounded by hundreds of strangers keen to pinch his little cheeks. 

It also seems a wise decision as newborn babies are especially susceptible to infections and bugs in those early days, as they establish their own immunity.

The Telegraph reports that, “While the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will both be there, with their older children Prince George and Princess Charlotte expected to be in the bridal party, the newborn Louis will stay away from the public eye.” 

It’s thought that Louis will be in the care of the royal nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, stationed close to the proceedings so his parents can pop in on him during the day. 

Read more on Prince William and Duchess Kate:

• The strict royal birthing rules Kate is expected to follow
• Duchess Kate gives birth to a baby boy
• Everything you need to know about newborn Prince Louis

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‪The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to share two photographs of Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, taken by The Duchess at Kensington Palace.‬ This image was taken on 2nd May, on Princess Charlotte’s third Birthday.‬ ‪The Duke and Duchess would like to thank members of the public for their kind messages following the birth of Prince Louis, and for Princess Charlotte’s third birthday.‬

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on May 5, 2018 at 4:00pm PDT

Watching from Australia

Louis’ uncle Prince Harry is set to wed former actor Meghan Markle on Saturday May 19 at St George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Australians can tune in and watch the wedding LIVE on Saturday May 19 at 7:30pm AEST.

It’s on both SBS and SBS On Demand. Myf Warhurst and comedian Joel Creasey will be hosting the coverage, alongside journalist Ray Martin. On the ABC, Annabel Crabb and Jeremy Ferandez will host the royal wedding. The commercial channels have their own coverage planned on Saturday too.

“Invitations have been posted to 600 lucky guests, with a select 200 close friends invited to an after party at Frogmore House, Windsor,” the Telegraph says.

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Invitations to the wedding of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle, which will take place at Windsor Castle on May 19, have been issued in the name of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. Guests have been invited to the service at St George's Chapel and to the lunchtime reception at St George's Hall, which is being given by Her Majesty The Queen. The invitations follow many years of Royal tradition and have been made by @barnard_and_westwood. They feature the Three-Feathered Badge of the Prince of Wales printed in gold ink. ? @pa

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Mar 22, 2018 at 10:46am PDT

A modern, family affair

It’s already been revealed that Prince William will act as Harry’s best man, and Meghan’s dad Thomas is set to walk his daughter down the aisle. 

Prince George and Princess Charlotte are thought to be stepping into the pageboy and flower girl roles they so adorably played at Pippa Middleton’s wedding last year.

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For their wedding cake Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle have chosen pastry chef Claire Ptak, owner of the London-based bakery @violetcakeslondon. The couple have asked Claire to create a lemon elderflower cake that will incorporate the bright flavours of spring. It will be covered with buttercream and decorated with fresh flowers? Claire Ptak, who was raised in California, focuses on using seasonal and organic ingredients in her cakes. Ms. Markle previously interviewed Chef Ptak for her lifestyle website The Tig. Prince Harry and Ms. Markle are looking forward to sharing the cake with guests at their wedding at Windsor Castle on May 19th. ?PA

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Mar 20, 2018 at 3:35am PDT

A lemon and elderflower cake baked by Instagram star baker Claire Ptak breaks with the usual fruity wedding cake tradition. Florist Philippa Craddock is designing the blooms for the day and caterer Table Talk (who catered Kate and Wills, as well as Pippa’s wedding) is charged with preparing the wedding breakfast.

Little is known about other exciting details such as Meghan’s dress (Ralph & Russo?), the honeymoon destination (possibly Namibia?) or the rings, at this point. 

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Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle have chosen floral designer @philippacraddock to create the church flowers for their wedding? The displays in St George's Chapel will feature foliage from The Crown Estate and Windsor Great Park, and will use seasonal plants including branches of beech, birch and hornbeam, as well as white garden roses, peonies and foxgloves. The designs will reflect the wild and natural landscapes from which many of the plants will be drawn. The Royal Parks will also supply pollinator-friendly plants from their wildflower meadows. These plants provide a great habitat for bees and help to sustain healthy and biodiverse ecosystems. ?PA

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Apr 1, 2018 at 1:16am PDT

A carriage ride

Once the ceremony is complete, the couple will head out of the church, past the 2,640 charity workers, community champions and school children who were invited to watch the wedding from inside the walls of Windsor Castle. 

The newlyweds then leave Windsor Castle by carriage, waving to assembled crowds lining the streets before they head off to the first of two wedding receptions. The first – a formal affair in the afternoon – is for 600 guests and will be hosted by The Queen. The second is a smaller evening event hosted by Prince Charles. Two hundred of Meghan and Harry’s family and friends will attend that one.

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Meet Storm and Tyrone, father and son, two of the Windsor Grey Horses who will pull the Ascot Landau carriage on a procession through Windsor town after the wedding of Prince Harry and Ms. Markle! ?PA

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Updated titles are the final pieces to fall into place – apart from a loved-up life together, of course! Meghan will become an HRH (Her Royal Highness) and possibly a Duchess. Harry will receive a new title on his wedding day too, possibly the Duke of Sussex.

Quick! Stock up on your Brit-snacks and pop a reminder in your phone for 7.30pm on Saturday 19 May, royal fans!