SHE was rumoured to be the Queen’s favourite grandchild and was even left Prince Philip’s ponies and carriages when he died.
Lady Louise Windsor, who is the eldest child of Prince Edward, 58, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, 57, turns 19 today.
Lady Louise Windsor turns 19 today
Lady Louise, pictured with mum Sophie, Countess of Wessex, lives a fairly low-key life
Sophie and Prince Edward chose to not give Louise or her brother James, Viscount Severn prince and princess titles
The young royal, who is 15th in line to the throne, is currently studying English at St Andrews University, where Prince William famously met future wife Kate.
But unlike her royal cousin, Lady Louise lives a more low-key life and although she attends various royal events, she typically stays out of the limelight.
Sophie and Prince Edward chose to not give Louise or her brother James, Viscount Severn prince and princess titles when they were born, despite themselves being working members of the Royal Family.
Royal historian Marlene Koenig told the Express: “Prince Edward’s children are technically Princess Louise and Prince James but are not styled as such.
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“This was made clear on the day of Edward‘s wedding that his children would have the style and title of children of an Earl even though they are grandchildren [of the Sovereign] in the male line.”
And their down-to-earth life extends further than just their names.
It was recently reported that Lady Louise had been working in a near minimum wage job this summer at a garden centre.
She took the role, which paid little more than £6.83 an hour while waiting for her A-level results.
A shopper, who was served by Lady Louise, said: “She is a really modest and sweet young woman who is polite and attentive to customers. She seemed to be loving the job.”
Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, said: “Isn’t it wonderful the Queen’s granddaughter rolled her sleeves up and got her hands dirty with a summer job before going to university — just like any other normal teenager.”
It has not been confirmed if Louise will become a working royal after graduation.
Lady Louise was said to be one of Her Majesty’s most-loved guests at Balmoral, the Queen’s Scottish residence which she visited each summer.
Louise spent valuable family time with the Queen in 2019, and for three days running was chosen to accompany the Sovereign as they enjoyed a gentle horse ride in the hills above the castle.
A royal insider said at the time: “The Queen loves the fact that Louise and James relish their time at Balmoral, and she has become particularly close to Louise, who seems to have become her favourite grandchild, closely followed by James.
“Louise also endeared herself to everyone by looking after William and Kate’s children when they were up here.
“Louise loves drawing and sketching and was very patiently trying to get Charlotte to do pictures of rabbits and deer.
“Because of her obvious artistic skill, the Queen allowed Louise to look through some of the collection of Queen Victoria’s Highlands sketches which are kept at Balmoral but are rarely dug out these days.”
Ingrid Seward previously told Fabulous that the Queen likes “ordinary people more than she does those that pander to her”.
Lady Louise was also close to Prince Philip, and was left his beloved ponies and carriages after he passed away.
The Duke of Edinburgh had taught the young royal how to do carriage driving before his death in 2021.
At the Queen’s funeral in September, Lady Louise paid a touching tribute to her grandparents by wearing a necklace with a horse pendant on.
The popular royal was born prematurely at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey and was delivered by emergency C-section.
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She previously attended school in Windsor before moving to an Ascot school near to her parents’ home, Bagshot Park.
Royal author Katie Nicholl said in her new book that Kate Middleton admires the way Lady Louise and James are being raised.
She wrote: “Kate is said to admire the way Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, are raising their children — Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn — in the bosom of the Royal Family but prepared for life in the real world.”
At the Queen’s funeral in September, Lady Louise paid a touching tribute to her grandparents by wearing a necklace with a horse pendant on
It has not been confirmed if Louise will become a working royal after graduation
The family lives at Bagshot Park in Surrey, which has 120 rooms and stretches across 51 acres
It was recently reported that Lady Louise had been working in a near minimum wage job this summer at a garden centre
