Prince Louis's royal 'best friend' isn't who you'd think it is

Prince Louis may be just seven-years-old, but he is already very popular among royal fans. At big royal events, when he makes an appearance alongside his family, the young royal can often be seen dancing and showing off his cheeky antics.

However, as well as being much-loved by royal fans, he is very loved by his royal relatives. While he is of course close to his immediate family such as his siblings Prince George and Princess Charlotte, he is also close to members of the wider family.

This includes the likes of Mia Tindall, Lena Tindall and Lucas Tindall - Zara and Mike Tindall's children.

However, as well as being close to these fellow royal children, Louis actually has a surprising royal best friend who is much older.

This is Mike Tindall, the husband of Prince William's cousin Zara and the father of some of his favourite royal cousins.

Although Mike is significantly older, celebrating his 47th birthday today, it is believed he gets on well with Prince Louis, as well as his siblings George, 12, and Charlotte, 10.

This is often seen at royal events when Mike engages with Prince William and Princess Kate's children, taking on a sort of "fun-uncle" role that Prince Harry left behind.

This includes during Christmas Day walkabouts at Sandringham and at big royal events.

A source once told The Times: "While some family members can be very 'royal', Mike is just himself and is relaxed and playful with George, Charlotte and Louis.

"It helps that they (Mike, Zara, William and Kate) all have children around the same age that they can fool around together privately and bring a sense of normality to what is a stressful situation for everyone involved."

It is believed Mike and Zara, despite not being working royals, are close with Prince William and Princess Kate, with their children therefore sharing very close bonds with one another.