The Princess of Wales postponed the release of Prince Louis’ birthday portrait because she required ‘time, space and privacy’, a royal expert has suggested.

The youngest child of Kate and William celebrated turning six yesterday. On such occasions, Kensington Palace typically releases portraits of the Wales children early in the morning to mark their birthdays.

However, in a break with tradition, William and Kate shared a photo of their younger son on Tuesday afternoon rather than at midnight on his birthday as is customary with new royal portraits.

The Mail’s Rebecca English revealed that the couple had initially decided not to issue one at all given their recent appeals for privacy at such an ‘unprecedented’ time for their family, but changed their minds because they wanted to thank fans for their kind wishes to Prince Louis.

And in conversation with The Express royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams added that once they’d decided to release a photo there were likely a lot of discussions about the best approach, given the furore over Kate’s edited Mother’s Day photo.

Prince Louis’ birthday portrait (pictured) was delayed due to Kate needing ‘time, space, and privacy’, a royal expert has claimed

Overall, Richard said the timing could ’emphasise Kate’s need for time, space and privacy.’

Describing the ‘vexed’ issue of her Mother’s Day portrait, he described the backlash as a ‘highly embarrassing contretemps’.

He added that not rushing out a birthday photo of Louis could also ’emphasise her need for time, space and privacy which she expressed so movingly’ in the video message revealing she has cancer.

Last month, the Princess of Wales detailed how the cancerous cells were discovered, while she was undergoing surgery for a different condition in January.

She explained that she had not spoken out about it earlier because she wanted to have time to ‘explain everything’ to George, Charlotte and Louis and assure them ‘I’m going to be ok’.

William and Kate (pictured in May) shared the image of Prince Louis just after midday on Tuesday

The Princess of Wales pictured holding a camera as she takes part in a a photography workshop with the charity ‘Action for Children’ in Kingston in June 2019

The Princess’ latest photo, which is understood to be unedited, suggest Kate is keen to put last month’s Photoshop row behind her as she concentrates on her cancer treatment.

In March, royal fans went into meltdown after Associated Press issued a ‘kill notice’ on a photo of the Princess of Wales and her three children that had been released for Mother’s Day.

It was the first official photo that was published of Kate after she underwent abdominal surgery in January.

That evening, the Associated Press became the first agency to ‘kill’ the photo over an ‘inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte’s left hand’.

While AP said there was no suggestion the photo was fake, it retracted it because it said on closer inspection, the source had manipulated the image in a way that did not meet the agency’s photo standards.

The following day, the Princess of Wales admitted that she edited the Mother’s Day photo herself and apologised for ‘any confusion’ it had caused.

A statement from the Princess of Wales said: ‘Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing.

This Mother’s Day portrait – which Kate later admitted to Photoshopping – was the first official photo that was published of the Princess after she underwent abdominal surgery in January

‘I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day. C’

Two weeks later, the Princess of Wales announced she was battling cancer – amid mounting pressure for the Palace to comment on her condition.

It is believed that the Princess of Wales announced her cancer diagnosis on 22 March as this was the day George, Charlotte and Louis broke up from Lambrook School in Bracknell for their Easter break.

The announcement may have been timed so that her children would not immediately face questions in the playground after the news was made public.

The family are reported to have spent the Easter holidays together as they adjust to Kate’s diagnosis, which was discovered in post-operative tests following her major abdominal surgery.

In the emotional message, which was filmed in Windsor, Kate revealed the news had come as a ‘huge shock’ and that she and William ‘have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family’.

Earlier this month, Kate revealed in an emotional video message that she has been diagnosed with cancer

Speaking from a bench surrounded by daffodils and spring blossom, she said: ‘It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.

‘As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits.

‘Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.’

Kate revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer after undergoing a planned operation at The London Clinic in January.