Prince William is reportedly harbouring “big plans” for the future of the Royal Family, yet Lady Louise Windsor appears to be charting a course of her own. At 21, William’s cousin and daughter to Prince Edward and the Duchess Sophie of Edinburgh shares parallels with the future monarchs – she’s also studying at St. Andrews University, where William and Kate’s romance blossomed.
Despite being born into royalty, both Louise and her brother James, Earl of Wessex, were offered a chance to bear the HRH title, but their parents declined, opting for a more ordinary life for their offspring. Upon turning 18, Louise could have adopted the ‘Princess’ moniker but has refrained from doing so.
Nevertheless, the Scottish Daily Express reports that there are talks of possibly drafting Louise and her sibling as working royals, which entails public funding through the Sovereign Grant along with Royal duties. The monarchy is inherently hierarchical, and with Louise and James being 15th and 16th in line to the throne, it was not anticipated that they would take on active Royal roles.
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James and Louise have never used the ‘HRH’ style
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The siblings, whose father is Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s youngest son, historically remained out of the limelight during their early years.
The concept of a ‘slimmed down monarchy’ was largely promoted by King Charles, who aimed to reduce the number of working royals and thus cut the costs of the House of Windsor to the public. However, this idea has not been universally embraced, especially in light of recent challenges faced by the Royal Family that highlight the problems that can arise from insufficient 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 active royals are ageing – the average age is 69, but excluding Kate and Prince William, it jumps to 77. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had to juggle their family’s wellbeing – including their three young children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six – with their Royal duties last year.
Prince William is reportedly keen to involve both of his cousins in his plans for the royal family
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More younger working royals could help alleviate the load of public engagements. This would be particularly beneficial since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back – Charles’s vision for a leaner Royal operation did not factor in his youngest son, a public favourite, leaving The Firm.
Princess Anne expressed concerns to CBC News in 2023 about the prospect of a pared-down monarchy, remarking, “It doesn’t sound like a good idea from where I’m standing, I have to say,” acknowledging that it was initially Prince Charles’ concept when the Royal circle was larger. But with Sophie, Countess of Wessex and mother to Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn, noting back in 2020 that using their HRH titles was “unlikely” for her children, questions linger over the willingness of these private young royals to participate in their cousin’s vision for the future of the Royal Family.