Royal Insiders Reveal One Major Benefit Prince Louis Has as Prince William & Kate Middleton's Youngest Child
Princess Kate has long been praised for her ability to laugh off her youngest child's antics, and experts think this has something to do with the fact that Louis is the youngest. Parenting expert Sophie David recently told Hello, 'The Princess of Wales shows us how important it is to nurture a child's playful side, even in formal settings.'
More from SheKnows
Prince George Steals the Show in an Adorably Candid New Video of the Royal Siblings
'With Prince Louis, we often see her giving him the freedom to be cheeky, giggle, and explore the world around him,' she continued. 'Kate's warmth and gentle encouragement remind us that playfulness is at the heart of childhood, and it's lovely to see Louis' cheeky, happy side shine through wherever he goes.'
One reason the Princess of Wales stays calm is because the eyes of the world are on her. Not to mention, there is so much less pressure with Prince Louis than, say, with Prince George, who is next in line to the throne after his father.
'The youngest child arrives into a ready-made family dynamic, so they benefit from socializing with older siblings and develop social and communication skills early on,' royal insider Alicia Eaton told the outlet. She added that the parents' confidence impacts the youngest child as well. 'The sense of calm and confidence [with the youngest] creates a reassuring environment, allowing the youngest child to thrive with a greater sense of security. This then leads to a more playful and relaxed relationship with parents.'
In other words, this is not William and Kate's first rodeo, and they don't seem as stressed about how their young child acts now.
Psychologists have long debated on whether birth order makes a difference for siblings. One 2015 study found that firstborns scored higher on intelligence tests; however, there were no birth-order impact on extraversion, emotional stability, agreeableness, conscientiousness, or imagination.
As the eldest daughter and second-born out of a family of six kids, I definitely feel more responsible than my younger siblings. This might have something to do with the fact that I was helping take care of them as they grew up and they were allowed to be carefree kids, plus my parents seemed to mellow out as they got older. Now that I have three kids, I can see how you get less anxious and care less about little things the more children you have.
So, if Middleton gives Louis a longer rein, I get it. Even though his birth order probably isn't responsible for his silly and laidback personality, it may have something to do with giving him the experience of more laidback parents. Or it could be that they are intentionally harder on George and even Charlotte, as they're closer to the line of succession.
This doesn't necessarily seem to be the case, though. Commentator Kinsey Schofield told Daily Star in 2023 that the Waleses are 'determined to break the heir and the spare cycle' like the one Prince William and Prince Harry had.
'I don't believe the word 'spare' has ever been uttered inside their home to describe one or more of their babies,' Schofield added. 'It is just not on their radar. They wanted to have a large loving family.'
'William and Catherine are teaching their children about royal responsibilities through doing them,' Schofield told the outlet, adding that Middleton 'seems affectionate, supportive, and engaging as a mother.'Best of SheKnows
How to Watch These 25 Halloween Movies on Disney+ for Summerween Antics
The Dumbest (and Deadliest) TikTok Trends Targeting Teens & Tweens
Aquaman, Wolf Monte, & More Unique Celebrity Baby Names
Solve the daily Crossword
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Oasis dedicate song to Ozzy Osbourne as they begin series of gigs in London
Oasis dedicated one of their hits to the late rocker Ozzy Osbourne as they made a triumphant return to London for a series of gigs as part of their world tour. Liam Gallagher told tens of thousands of fans of his pride as the band graced the stage at Wembley Stadium for the first time in more than a decade. Just three songs into their much-anticipated appearance, he declared the crowd was 'f****** beautiful', having bowed to the sea of raised arms before him. Liam and brother Noel played with their band for the first of seven nights at the stadium on Friday – with five shows over the next week and two more scheduled in September. It was the first time they had appeared together onstage at the London venue since July 12 2009, when they performed during their Dig Out Your Soul tour. Towards the end of the gig, they paid tribute to Osbourne. Lead singer Liam said: 'I wanna dedicate this one to Ozzy Osbourne, rock 'n' roll star.' The Black Sabbath star's death at the age of 76 was announced earlier this week. Oasis superfans in bucket hats and branded T-shirts had packed the Tube en route to the gig from earlier in the day, with international accents denoting the band's worldwide popularity. As with previous gigs Liam and Noel walked onstage hand in hand, opened with Hello and proceeded to belt out many of their classics including Some Might Say and Morning Glory. The packed-out stadium was in full voice throughout and at one point Liam threw a tambourine into the jubilant crowd, while later positioning one on top of his head. Despite pledging to concentrate on his vocals rather than talking – telling those gathered 'every time I open my mouth at these gigs I seem to get myself into a lot of trouble so I'm just going to do the singing' – Liam later engaged in some light football banter. The well-known Manchester City fan appeared to poke fun at Arsenal fans in the crowd, joking about their position in the Premier league. Phone camera torches lit up the stadium as darkness fell and crowd-pleasers Wonderwall, Don't Look Back In Anger and Champagne Supernova closed the gig. At various points Noel thanked the crowd, with Liam telling them they had been 'amazing', ahead of fireworks erupting into the London sky. Friday's show – the eighth of the tour – followed a five-night run of homecoming gigs in Manchester's Heaton Park and the two opening shows in Cardiff earlier this month. Following the first part of their Wembley stint, the band will head up north to Edinburgh's Murrayfield Stadium followed by Dublin's Croke Park. The group will head to Japan, South Korea, South America, Australia and North America later in the year. Oasis announced their reunion tour in August of last year – 16 years after their dramatic split in 2009 which saw Noel quit following a backstage brawl at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris. While fans were excited at the Britpop band's reunion, many were left outraged after some standard tickets in the UK and Ireland jumped from £148 to £355. The controversy prompted the Government and the UK's competition watchdog to pledge to look at the use of dynamic pricing.
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Forbes
Mick Jagger And Keith Richards Get Rolling Stones Action Figures
Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards 8-inch action figures and ... More accessories. The Rolling Stones' frontmen Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are about to become collectible 8-inch-tall action figures. Jagger and Richards, of course, are the iconic singer and guitarist of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group, which formed in 1962 along with Brian Jones, Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman. Today's lineup consists of Jagger, Richards and Ronnie Wood. The Rolling Stones, of course, have recorded several of classic rock tunes, including 'Jumpin' Jack Flash,' 'You Can't Always Get What You Want,' 'Honky Tonk Woman,' '19th Nervous Breakdown,' 'Sympathy for the Devil' and 'Start Me Up,' as well as the ballads 'Ruby Tuesday' and 'As Tears Go By.' Collectibles and action figure maker NECA announced Thursday that the company is producing 8-inch-tall retro-style clothed action figures of Jagger and Richards as they appeared in 1975. Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards 8-inch action figures and ... More accessories. What Do The Rolling Stones Mick Jagger And Keith Richards Figures Consist Of? According to NECA, the Mick Jagger Rolling Stones action figure includes interchangeable hands and faceplates that can be swapped out, a microphone and a mic stand, as well as an action figure-sized Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers album with a sleeve. The Keith Richards Rolling Stones Action Figure comes with interchangeable faceplates, Richards' Fender guitar and an action figure-sized Rolling Stones Let It Bleed album with a sleeve. Both Rolling Stones action figures will retail for $37.99 and are available directly through NECA and online retailers. The Jagger and Richards figures will be released sometime in the fourth quarter of 2025, NECA noted. NECA previously produced a 7-inch action figure of Richards as Captain Edward Teague — the father of Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp)— who appeared in 2007's Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End and 2011's Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. The Rolling Stones figures are the latest in a long line of musician action figures produced by NECA. Previously, the company produced two 8-inch retro action figure sets of Elton John, along with a grand piano, as well as Willie Nelson, guitarist Angus Young of AC/DC and AC/DC's late lead singer, Bon Scott. In addition, the company in 2024 released a 7-inch scale action figure of Jon Bon Jovi from the Slippery When Wet album era.
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Forbes
Why The Labubu Craze Became A Nostalgic Social Currency
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 12: Close-up detail view of seven Labubu monsters / charms / dolls / plus from ... More "Big Into Energy" collection : Loyalty, Happiness, Luck, Hope, Serenity, Love an Secret, during a street style fashion photo session, on June 12, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by) The distinctive grin of Labubu, a small, elf-eared creature with serrated teeth, has become widespread across social media feeds, celebrity red carpets, and fashion shows worldwide. What began as a collectible toy from Hong Kong-based Pop Mart has evolved into something far more complex: a cultural phenomenon that generated $423 million in revenue for the company in 2024 alone, transforming a playful figurine into a coveted symbol of exclusivity and insider knowledge. People wait in line to visit the new Pop Mart store selling Labubu toys at a shopping mall in Berlin ... More on July 25, 2025. Labubu is a brand of collectible designer plush toy monster elves created by Hong Kong-Dutch designer Kasing Lung and marketed by and sold exclusively at China-based retailer Pop Mart. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP) (Photo by TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP via Getty Images) This isn't just another toy craze. The Labubu mania reveals something deeper about consumer psychology, nostalgia, and how objects become vessels for social status in the digital age. Through three distinct lenses—as a nostalgic product, a form of social currency, and a fleeting fashion statement—the Labubu phenomenon offers insights into modern consumer behavior and the mechanics of viral culture. The Power of Labubu's Nostalgic Design At the heart of Labubu's appeal lies a sophisticated understanding of nostalgia and emotional resonance. Created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung in 2016, the character draws from Nordic folklore and European fairy tales, creating what author and fashion historian Robert Ossant describes as a 'fascinating combination of cute and ugly that taps into the 90s and Y2K aesthetic of Furbies, Garbage Pail kids, Troll dolls and cartoons like Rugrats and Ren & Stimpy.' Lung, born in 1972, spent part of his childhood in the Netherlands, and his design philosophy blends childhood memories with universal mythological elements. The result is a character that feels simultaneously new and ancient or something that resonates across cultural boundaries while tapping into collective childhood memories. "The large eyes and tiny nose resemble childlike characteristics, upping the cute factor and appealing to the anime and manga trends we're seeing in the current zeitgeist," explains Nina Vargas, a global beauty strategist, in her analysis of the toy's psychological appeal. These 'anthropomorphic qualities' don't just make the character endearing, but they create an emotional bridge that allows consumers to project feelings and memories onto the object. The timing of Labubu's global breakthrough in 2024-2025 wasn't accidental. After nearly a decade of relative obscurity, the character found its moment during a period when consumers were particularly receptive to nostalgic comfort items. In fact, if you scroll TikTok, you will see millions of videos of consumers listening to 90s music, revisiting fashion trends from that decade, or rewatching their childhood favorite movies and TV shows. The Labubu's ability to evoke childhood security while remaining contemporary enough for adult fashion sensibilities created the perfect storm for viral adoption. Labubu Is An Exclusive Social Currency Perhaps no aspect of the Labubu phenomenon is more revealing than its transformation into a form of social currency or an investment piece. The collectible toy market has long understood the power of scarcity, from Pokémon cards, Barbies and Beanie Babies, but Labubu has elevated this concept to new heights through strategic use of "blind box" purchasing and limited releases. "The Labubus became a social currency because to have a rare Labubu communicates an insider knowledge of trends and value. It began as 'if you know you know' (IYKYK) style statement and a widely understood, talisman of taste," Ossant explains. CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 17: Zufi Alexander wears an all Miu Miu look made of butter yellow long summer ... More dress and straw Miu Miu bag with attached Labubu bag charms during day five of the 78th Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2025 in Cannes, France. (Photo by) The economics are straightforward yet powerful: initial drops are priced modestly (around $30), but artificial scarcity quickly drives secondary market prices to multiples of their original value. This creates multiple tiers of social signaling. Owning any Labubu demonstrates cultural awareness, but owning a rare variant or paying premium resale prices communicates having insider knowledge, and frankly, the financial means. The unboxing ritual central to Labubu culture amplifies this social currency effect. "The unboxing and reveal of which character emerges from the packaging intrigues the viewers, making them eager to seek their own unwrapping experience in the hopes of having their own (hopefully rare) character," Vargas notes. Social media feeds filled with unboxing videos create a feedback loop of desire and FOMO (fear of missing out) that drives continued purchasing. Retail strategist Jeanel Alvarado, Founder & CEO at RETAILBOSS, identifies a crucial parallel: "Many collectors of Labubu for instance turned out to be luxury buyers. Affluent shoppers who typically seek out rare watches, handbags and limited edition pieces." This crossover reveals how Labubu functions as what Alvarado calls "recession-core": a lower-cost luxury that satisfies the same psychological needs as expensive handbags or watches during times of economic uncertainty. How Labubu Transcends Style And Fashion While Labubus have become ubiquitous fashion accessories, dangling from designer bags and celebrity outfits, their role transcends traditional fashion logic. Rather than following seasonal trends or aesthetic movements, it is a commentary on consumption, and generational divides. PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 08: A guest wears a burgundy bordeaux woven Bottega Veneta Andiamo leather ... More bag, light blue Labubu bag charm, cream Labubu bag charm, outside Elie Saab, during the Paris Fashion week Women's Fall/Winter 2025-2026 on March 8, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by) "Labubus represents more of a social statement than a fashion statement," states Anna Pompilio, Strategy Director at Marks. "It shows not only that you're tapped into the micro-culture of the moment, but that you either have the A) time to spend on Pop Mart hunting down your own Labubu or B) the money to spend on a resold one.' The fashion industry has taken notice. Luxury brands like Burberry and Celine have responded with their own character-based accessories, signaling recognition of the trend's commercial potential. However, this mainstream adoption may paradoxically signal the beginning of the end for Labubu's cultural cache. Ossant sees the trend as serving "as a critique of fashion's most ridiculous extremes, influencer culture and the relentless churn of trends, but also a commentary on different generations." According to him, it's become a tool for millennials to mock Gen Z's seemingly mindless consumerism, while Gen Z uses it to highlight just how much millennials are missing the irony. SHANGHAI, CHINA - JUNE 09: Labubu figures and dolls are seen on display at a Pop Mart store on June ... More 9, 2025 in Shanghai, China. From Southeast Asia and Europe to the United States and the Middle East, Labubu - the beloved character from Chinese toy company Pop Mart - is taking the world by storm. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images) As with most viral phenomena, Labubu's future remains uncertain. The very mechanisms that drove its success such as social media amplification, artificial scarcity, and FOMO-driven purchasing are notoriously fickle and feed into overconsumption. Many, like Ossant, argue that Labubus are an entry level luxury where the value is tied up in rarity and exclusivity rather than actual cost. "Customers are fatigued with fast-fashion, and collector items and limited edition items have continued to catch waves with limited drops," Alvarado adds. Yet she also acknowledges the fundamental tension: once a trend reaches mainstream saturation, its value as social currency diminishes. Whether Labubu endures or fades, its impact on understanding consumer behavior, social media marketing, and the psychology of collectibility will likely persist. As Alvarado succinctly summarizes: "It shows the value is in the eyes of the beholder, for those who understand the collector and resale market potential for limited items it's a lucrative play, in addition to the clout they can get online. For others it's just an 'ugly toy.'" A man walks with two Labubu plush toys of Pop Mart hanging from his backpack straps along a ... More pedestrian street on The Bund in Shanghai on July 4, 2025. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images)
