Prince Louis and his cousin Mia Tindall share one of the most endearing and genuine friendships within the younger generation of the British royal family. Despite the nine-year age gap — Mia was born in January 2014 and Louis in April 2018 — the two have developed a remarkably close bond that goes far beyond the usual polite interactions seen at larger family gatherings. Royal observers, family insiders, and fans who follow their occasional public appearances have noted repeatedly that Louis and Mia behave more like best friends than distant cousins, often seen whispering, giggling, pulling faces together, and clearly preferring each other’s company over anyone else in the room.

Their connection first caught widespread attention during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. At the Trooping the Colour carriage procession, five-year-old Louis sat beside eight-year-old Mia on the Buckingham Palace balcony. The pair spent much of the afternoon engaged in animated conversation, laughing at private jokes, mimicking each other’s expressions, and generally treating the historic event like their personal playground. Louis, already famous for his cheeky antics, seemed especially comfortable with Mia — at one point leaning into her shoulder, at another copying her wave with exaggerated enthusiasm. Mia, in turn, appeared protective and delighted by her younger cousin’s energy, frequently turning to him with a big sister-like smile.

The same dynamic reappeared at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in September 2022 and again at King Charles III’s coronation in May 2023. During the coronation weekend events, Louis and Mia were photographed walking hand-in-hand through the Abbey grounds, chatting nonstop. Mia gently guided Louis when he became momentarily overwhelmed by the crowds, and Louis looked visibly happier whenever she was nearby. Body language experts who analyzed the footage noted that both children displayed open, relaxed postures around each other — shoulders down, faces turned toward one another, frequent eye contact, and spontaneous physical touch — all classic signs of genuine comfort and trust.

Family insiders say the closeness developed naturally during regular informal gatherings at Anmer Hall in Norfolk and at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire, where Zara and Mike Tindall live with their three children: Mia, Lena, and Lucas. William and Kate have long maintained warm relations with Zara and Mike, who are among the least formal and most down-to-earth members of the extended royal family. The adults deliberately encourage the children to spend time together without rigid protocol, allowing them to play freely, ride bikes, kick footballs, and get muddy — exactly the kind of childhood William and Kate want for George, Charlotte, and Louis.

Mia, being the oldest of the Tindall children, has naturally taken on a caring, slightly bossy big-sister role toward Louis. She is confident, outgoing, and athletic — traits inherited from both Zara (an Olympic silver medalist in eventing) and Mike (former England rugby captain). Louis, with his fearless personality and natural charisma, clearly admires and trusts her. The two share a similar sense of humour — both love making silly faces, pulling exaggerated expressions, and finding joy in small acts of mischief. Royal nannies and protection officers have privately remarked that whenever Louis is having a tired or overwhelmed moment during official outings, Mia is often the first person he looks for, and her presence almost instantly calms him.

Their friendship extends beyond public events. During private family weekends, Louis and Mia are frequently seen racing each other on bikes, building dens in the woods, or teaming up against their older siblings and cousins in games. George and Charlotte have their own close relationships with the Tindall children, but Louis and Mia’s bond stands out for its intensity and exclusivity. They often pair off during larger gatherings, creating their own little world even when surrounded by adults and other children.

This closeness is particularly meaningful because it mirrors the kind of extended-family support network that both William and Kate grew up valuing. William enjoyed a tight-knit relationship with Zara and Peter Phillips during his childhood, and Kate has spoken about the importance of cousins and wider family in providing a sense of normalcy amid royal life. Encouraging Louis and Mia’s friendship is therefore not accidental — it is part of a deliberate effort to give the Wales children deep, lasting connections outside the immediate nuclear family.

Public reaction to Louis and Mia’s friendship has been overwhelmingly warm. Fans adore seeing the young royals behave like ordinary children — bickering, laughing, and clearly preferring each other’s company. Social media is filled with side-by-side photos captioned “future troublemakers” or “the dream cousin duo.” Many parents relate to the dynamic, sharing stories of their own children who form unexpectedly strong bonds with certain cousins. The fact that Louis — the famously cheeky “spare” — has such a protective, fun older cousin figure in Mia adds another layer of charm to his public persona.

As Louis grows older and begins to understand his place in the line of succession, friendships like the one he shares with Mia will become increasingly important. They offer a safe space where he can simply be a child, free from titles, expectations, or scrutiny. Mia, already growing into a confident and grounded teenager, seems perfectly suited to be the kind of cousin who keeps him grounded and laughing — exactly what every young prince needs.

In a family where duty and tradition can sometimes feel heavy, the simple sight of Louis and Mia giggling together, whispering secrets, or racing across a field serves as a powerful reminder: beneath the crowns and protocol, they are first and foremost children — and the best kind of cousins are the ones who feel just like best friends.