Prince William is plotting “big plans” for the monarchy’s future, yet Lady Louise Windsor, 21—his cousin and Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie of Edinburgh’s daughter—appears to prefer carving her own route. Sharing ties with the Royal couple, she studies at the University of St. Andrews, the former university of William and Kate.
Lady Louise and her sibling James, Earl of Wessex, aged 17, were eligible from birth to use the HRH title, which their parents declined for the sake of a ‘normal’ upbringing. At 18, Lady Louise could have adopted the ‘Princess’ title but has refrained.
According to the Scottish Daily Express, William is considering appointing Louise and James as working royals with entitlements to the Sovereign Grant and responsibilities representative of the crown. Strict hierarchies govern the monarchy; Louise and James hold the 15th and 16th places in succession respectively.
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Given Prince Edward’s position as Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s youngest son, it was once improbable that they would serve prominently in Royal duties, having spent much of their lives out of the spotlight.
Part of the reason for this is that King Charles has long been an advocate for a ‘slimmed down monarchy’, reducing the number of working royals to cut costs for the House of Windsor. However, not everyone is on board with this idea, especially given recent challenges faced by the Royal Family highlighting the problems that can arise from a lack of support, reports the Mirror.
Last year, both King Charles and Kate Middleton took time off for cancer treatment, underscoring the fact that most of the remaining working royals are ageing – the average age is 69, but excluding Kate and William, it jumps to 77. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had to juggle family life with their three young children – Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six – and their Royal duties last year.
More younger working royals could help alleviate the pressure of public engagements. This would be particularly beneficial since Harry and Meghan’s departure – Charles’s vision for a leaner Royal operation didn’t factor in his youngest son, a public favourite, leaving The Firm.
Princess Anne has expressed her disagreement with the idea of a ‘slim’ monarchy, telling CBC News in 2023, “It doesn’t sound like a good idea from where I’m standing, I have to say,” noting that Charles had proposed this when the Royal family was larger. Meanwhile, back in 2020, Sophie, the mother of Lady Louise and James, mentioned it was “unlikely” her children would adopt the HRH style, leaving questions about their willingness to support their cousin’s vision for the Royal Family.