Lady Louise Windsor’s surprising role in Royal Family as she turns 21
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have celebrated some key milestones this year, including their silver wedding anniversary and Prince Edward’s 60th birthday. But the excitement isn’t over yet as their daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, is celebrating her 21st birthday.
Lady Louise had a challenging start to life when she was born on 8 November, 2003 at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey. After her pregnant mother, Sophie, was admitted to hospital with complications, an emergency caesarean was performed and Louise was born weighing just 4lb 9oz. She then spent more than two weeks in an intensive care unit before finally being reunited with her parents.
And, although she has faced a number of hurdles, she has continued to go from strength to strength as a royal expert explains why she is not only "a credit to her parents" but also praises the way she has "nailed the art of being royal and relatable".
READ MORE:Prince Harry told me 'I'm not allowed' when I gave him advice – it was quite sad
READ MORE:Horoscopes today: Daily star sign predictions from Russell Grant on November 8
"What’s not to like about Lady Louise?” asks former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond. “She has overcome a great deal and now is blossoming into a beautiful 21 year old, enjoying life at St Andrews like any other undergraduate. She’s studying English and has reportedly taken to the stage in University productions, in many ways emulating her father.”
Sign up to OK!'s royal newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free
Referring to Louise’s down-to-earth nature, Jennie adds: "Louise seems to have both feet firmly planted on the ground. She decided to refuse the HRH style she could’ve used after her 18th birthday and she also took a temporary job at a local garden centre, earning around £7 an hour. She seems to have nailed the art of being royal and extremely relatable at the same time. That is a credit both to her and to her parents."
And, as she prepares to celebrate her big day, it is obvious she already has her sights firmly set on her future. Louise is currently a member of the University Officers' Training Corps and, according to her LinkedIn page, hopes to follow in the footsteps of many of her relatives and serve in the military, with careers in diplomacy or law as alternative options.
If she succeeds in joining the Armed Forces, she would become the first female royal to take an active role since Queen Elizabeth II served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service during World War Two.
Not only was Louise a firm favourite of her late grandparents – as she shared their passions of horses and carriage driving – but she has also built up a special bond with the Princess of Wales as she previously served as a flower girl at Prince William and Kate’s wedding in 2011.
Louise is said to have babysat her cousin’s three children, and she and her mother have also taken Princess Charlotte, nine, on shopping trips to London. Proof she’s a fitting role model and enduringly popular member of the family.
