As the clock ticks down to Prince Louis’ sixth birthday on April 23, excitement is building among royal watchers.

Everyone is wondering if Kate Middleton and Prince William will stick to their beloved tradition of unveiling a new portrait of their youngest son.

This annual custom has become a delightful moment for fans of the British royal family, but recent events have thrown a bit of a wrench into the works.

The buzz surrounding this year’s birthday portrait is heightened by a recent controversy involving a Mother’s Day photo.

Many are speculating whether the Duchess of Cambridge will choose to break from tradition this time around.

An insider quoted in the Sunday Times suggests that the couple is likely to continue sharing a birthday portrait, acknowledging the public’s affection for their children and the joy these moments bring to fans.

However, there’s still some uncertainty about who will actually take the photograph.

While Kate is known for her skills as an enthusiastic amateur photographer, there’s chatter about possibly hiring a professional for the occasion.

This could mark a departure from the usual practice, where the Duchess has personally captured these cherished milestones in her children’s lives.

Since welcoming their first child, Prince George, the Duke and Duchess have made it a point to share new photos each year to celebrate their children’s birthdays.

Kate’s ability to beautifully document these moments has always delighted royal fans.

But now, the integrity of these portraits has come under scrutiny.

The controversy surrounding the Mother’s Day photo has raised questions about photo manipulation.

On March 11, the Duchess issued an apology, expressing regret for any confusion that may have arisen.

Following her statement, major global photo agencies like Getty Images, the Associated Press, and Reuters swiftly removed the image from their press libraries, indicating the seriousness of the issue.

Sky News took it a step further, analyzing the photo’s metadata and claiming to have uncovered signs of Photoshop manipulation.

This revelation has only intensified discussions about authenticity in royal imagery.

Adding to the drama, Getty Images later acknowledged that another royal photo featuring Queen Elizabeth and some of her grandchildren had also been digitally enhanced.

Public relations expert Mark Borkowski weighed in on the unfolding situation, describing the recent photo controversies as potentially damaging to the royal brand.

He pointed out the lack of transparency regarding Kate’s health and criticized the decision-making process surrounding the alleged photo manipulation.

With Prince Louis’ birthday fast approaching, all eyes are on the royal couple.

Will they navigate through the recent controversies and uphold their tradition of sharing a new portrait?

Or might they decide to break away from what has become a much-anticipated ritual?

The anticipation builds as royal enthusiasts await the decision from Kate and William.