prince william and kate middleton
In this screengrab, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge and Prince Louis of Cambridge clap for NHS carers as part of the BBC Children In Need and Comic Relief "Big Night In" at London on April 23, 2020 in London, England. Comic Relief/BBC Children in Need/Comic Relief via Getty Images

KEY POINTS

  • Kate Middleton, Prince William, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a public appearance outside Windsor Castle Saturday
  • Middleton shared Prince Louis' reaction to Queen Elizabeth's death while speaking to a group of children during the walkabout
  • The 4-year-old reportedly said, "At least Grannie is with Great-Grandpa now"

Prince William and Kate Middleton's youngest child, Prince Louis, had a sweet reaction after his parents informed him of Queen Elizabeth II's death Thursday.

Middleton, 40, opened up about her 4-year-old son's touching response to the news during a walkabout outside Windsor Castle with her husband, brother-in-law Prince Harry and sister-in-law Meghan Markle Saturday.

"[Louis said,] 'At least Grannie is with Great-Grandpa now,'" an "emotional" Princess of Wales told a group of children of Prince Louis, referring to Queen Elizabeth II's husband Prince Philip, who died in April 2021 at age 99.

Royal reporter Roya Nikkhah of London's The Times revealed the interaction on Twitter.

Royal fans gushed over Prince Louis and recalled some of his sweet and adorable moments with his great-grandmother.

"Prince Louis is a very sweet boy! The photo of the two of them on the balcony during the Platinum Jubilee will always be one of my favorites," one royal fan commented.

A second royal fan shared a snap of the Queen and Prince Louis smiling at each other during the balcony appearance back in June. "I love this," the person wrote.

"Sweet boy," another netizen commented, while a fourth Twitter user wrote, "Awww. What a sweetheart."

"Louis is the same age as my daughter when she lost her beloved grandpa. I remember my children saying similar things. Kids can say such beautiful things," another person commented.

Prince William and Middleton — who also shares Prince George, 9, and Princess Charlotte, 7, with Prince William, 40 — greeted packed crowds of well-wishers and viewed floral tributes to Queen Elizabeth II during their public appearance outside Windsor Castle Saturday. The couple was joined by Prince Harry and Markle.

Queen Elizabeth II "died peacefully" Thursday at her Scottish estate Balmoral at the age of 96, according to a statement from Buckingham Palace.

Prince William opened up about how his grandmother touched his and his family's lives in a statement via Instagram following the Queen's passing.

"I have had the benefit of The Queen's wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade," Prince William wrote. "My wife has had twenty years of her guidance and support. My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives."

The heir to the throne added, "She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life."

The Prince of Wales also said that "it will be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real."

He then quoted the late monarch, who famously said, "Grief is the price we pay for love."

Prince William said that all of the sadness they will feel in the coming weeks will be a testament to their love for the "extraordinary Queen." He promised to honor Queen Elizabeth's memory by supporting his father, the new monarch, King Charles III, in every way he can.

Kate Middleton and Prince Louis
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 05: (L-R) Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Mike Tindall, Mia Tindall (front row) Catherine, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Louis of Cambridge watch the Platinum Pageant on June 05, 2022 in London, England. The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II is being celebrated from June 2 to June 5, 2022, in the UK and Commonwealth to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952. Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images