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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Rebecca Russell

Kate Middleton and Queen's special link to beach where Louis posed for birthday photo

To mark Prince Louis's fourth birthday, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge released gorgeous new photographs of their youngest son playing on a beach in Norfolk.

In line with the family's tradition, the snaps were taken by proud mum Kate earlier this month.

The four pictures show little Louis playing and running on the beach dressed in a smart checked shirt, a starry grey jumper and green shorts.

While the exact beach in Norfolk has not been confirmed, it is very likely that the young prince is posing for the photos on Holkham Beach near the Sandringham Estate.

It's well-known to be a royal favourite and has been visited by the Queen and her family for generations.

(The Duchess of Cambridge / Kensington Palace)

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge previously chose to feature Holkham Beach in a video to mark their tenth wedding anniversary last year.

The clip that was posted to the couple's social media accounts showed the family of five playing amongst the sand dunes, walking along a beach and toasting marshmallows.

But the royal link to Holkham stretches even further back as the Queen and the late Duke of Edinburgh used to take their children to the beach when they were at Sandringham.

Prince Charles and Princess Anne buried up to their necks on Holkham Beach in Norfolk (Getty Images)

In the BBC's 2016 documentary Elizabeth at 90: A Family Tribute, clips of Prince Charles and Princess Anne playing at the beach were used.

In the documentary - which is narrated by The Prince of Wales - Charles can be seen re-watching some of the incredible home videos with the Queen.

He recalls: "It was always such fun playing hide and seek in those dunes. I remember that so well, isn't that funny. Vividly."

Her Majesty added: "And in those days you didn't mind the prickly grass."

Princess Anne also features in the documentary and remembered: "Holkham was a bit off the beaten track, it does look almost completely empty which you wouldn't find now. But it was a public beach even then, it's a big beach."

Royal connection aside, Holkham has constantly been voted as the ‘Best Beach in the UK’ by travel writers. The beach is four miles of white sand and is rich in wildlife, popular with families, dog walkers and horse riders.

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