Lady Louise Alice Elizabeth Mary Mountbatten-Windsor, better known as Lady Louise Windsor, is the eldest child and only daughter of Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh.
The 21-year-old prefers to stay under the radar, however, she is gradually stepping into the spotlight. A royal commentator has even suggested that Lady Louise may play a key role in the future of the monarchy.
The Daily Mail’s Editor Richard Eden has said that she would be the perfect choice to help with royal duties when the time is right.
“When Prince William becomes King, I hope that he will follow the example of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, and ask his cousins, including Lady Louise and James, to share royal duties with him,” he said.
At Trooping the Colour in 2024, Louise was notably the only non-working royal to make an appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace (apart from the Wales children).
While she has never previously been considered a key player in the monarchy (unlike her older cousins), Louise was front and centre at the annual military pageant – a sure nod to her future role within The Firm.
Although Louise skipped the 2025 event, it wasn’t due to a lack of dedication; in fact, she was busy pursuing her English degree at St Andrews University.
When it comes to the royal family, they are anything but deliberate, and we are certain that Louise’s appearance marked the start of a new chapter for the unofficial princess.
Previously, Queen Elizabeth would invite extended members of her family to join her at the event; however, in recent years, King Charles has restricted this to working royals in an effort to slim down the monarchy.
If Louise were indeed to become a working royal following the completion of her university studies at St. Andrews in Scotland, she would herald the start of a new generation of working royals as the upper echelon of her family continues to age rapidly.
However, other reports have suggested that her future lies elsewhere, with royal expert Joe Little from Majesty magazine revealing that while she may be the niece of the current King and cousin to the future King, she would never “play an active role in working royal life”.
“I don’t ever envisage her being a full-time working royal or even a part-time working royal,” he shared with British publication HELLO!.
“I think she will attend royal events, but I don’t see her undertaking her own engagements. I think she will very much do her own thing in the future.
“Now there’s no reason for Louise not to be involved with charities, like her mother and father, but given her age, I think she can make those decisions by herself when the time is right,” he added.
Given insider sources have previously revealed that Louise is considering a career in the military post-university, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise that she continues to keep a low profile.
Scroll on for everything you need to know about Lady Louise Windsor…
How old is Lady Louise Windsor?
Lady Louise Alice Elizabeth Mary Mountbatten-Windsor was born on November 8, 2003, at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey, England, making her just 21 years old. According to the BBC, Louise was born prematurely, with her mother being rushed to the hospital one month early.
Louise was born with a condition called esotropia, which turns the eyes outwards.
“Premature babies can often have squints because the eyes are the last thing in the baby package to really be finalized,” Sophie told the Sunday Express in 2015.
“Her squint was quite profound when she was tiny, and it takes time to correct it. You’ve got to make sure one eye doesn’t become more dominant than the other, but she’s fine now—her eyesight is perfect.”
As she was growing up, she had various issues with her vision and underwent her first eye procedure at just 18 months old. The procedure proved to be unsuccessful, and she didn’t have a second until 2014.
Who are Lady Louise Windsor’s parents?
Louise is the daughter of Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh.
She is the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, and the youngest niece of King Charles III.
While she was born 8th in the line of succession for the British throne, she is currently 16th.
Who are Lady Louise Windsor’s siblings?
Louise is the older sister of James, Earl of Wessex.
James, 17, was born on December 17, 2007, and is the youngest nephew of King Charles.
Was Lady Louise Windsor close to the Queen?
It is understood that Louise and her late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, shared a special bond.
Queen Elizabeth would often attend events with Louise’s parents to watch her granddaughter from the sidelines.
Most notably, she attended the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May 2022, in which Louise led the Fell Pony Society centenary parade into the event. The carriage she was driving belonged to her grandfather, Prince Philip.
Louise also shares Prince Philip’s passion for carriage driving, and the pair had a close relationship before he died in 2021. She had reportedly “cemented herself as… [his] favourite grandchild.”
Does Lady Louise Windsor go to university?
Louise attends St Andrew’s University in Scotland, the same school where Prince William met Kate Middleton. She joined the university in September 2022 and is currently in her fourth and final year of studying English. She is expected to graduate in the summer of 2026.
Will Lady Louise Windsor join the military?
Louise might make history as the first female royal to join the military since Queen Elizabeth.
While Princess Anne holds numerous honorary military titles, she never enlisted in the army – unlike Elizabeth, who served during World War II.
Now, Louise has joined the University Officer Training Corps at St Andrews, while she works towards completing her degree.
The paid military training is designed to work in conjunction with her degree and allows her to learn the necessary skills to set her up for a career in the military following her graduation.
Since joining the Corps, Louise has had training in weapons, leadership, and has also completed a course on how to navigate tough terrain when under pressure.
A source told The Sun that Louise is eager to serve in the forces, and could even attend the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst – where Princes William and Harry both attended – once she graduates from St Andrews.
“She’s received basic Army officer training and is determined to serve King and country in the future,” the source continued.
“She fitted the office training corps around her studies and has benefited hugely from the skills that she’s been taught.”
Louise herself has also been quite vocal about her goals to pursue a career in the military.
In fact, her LinkedIn page reads: “I am interested in pursuing a career in the military, diplomacy, or law.”
Does Lady Louise Windsor have a boyfriend?
Yes! Louise has long been rumoured to be dating Felix da Silva-Clamp.
The pair have been linked for around two years now, and bonded over their love of the theatre.
Felix is the son of British solicitor Jonathan Charles William da Silva-Clamp, and he attends St Andrews University alongside Louise.
Felix, who spent some of his youth in Australia, has often been seen by Louise’s side supporting her at various events.
Most recently, he was spotted watching Louise compete in the National Carriage Driving Championships in Essex on August 30.
Things appear to be serious between the pair, and it has even been rumoured that wedding bells are on the horizon.
“This isn’t just some university romance,” one source said of the pair.
“Louise and Felix are in a love bubble and can’t imagine life without each other. But all talk of an official engagement has been hushed up until after they graduate.”
However, her parents, Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, are a bit apprehensive about Louise possibly being a young bride, as their daughter is just 21.
The palace insider told New Idea that Sophie, 60, is “getting a little nervous that things might be moving too fast”.
“She and Edward were in their thirties when they got married,” the insider revealed.
“As far as Sophie is concerned, she’d like to see if they feel the same without bonding over English literature and drama clubs every day.
“If it’s the real deal, there’s no reason to rush things, but it’s hard to object when you see how close they’ve become.
“Sophie and Edward genuinely like Felix and think he’d be a wonderful addition to the family. He worships Louise and treats her with the utmost respect and admiration.”
Never miss a story! Sign up to New Idea’s FREE newsletter for royal news and exclusives here.
