Forging Her Own Path: Lady Louise Windsor to Avoid 'Royal Burden' as She Focuses on University Life

Lady Louise Windsor, 20, and 16th in line to the British throne has decided to create her own path in life after previously contemplating a life of service to the Crown.

"I think it's probably too early to tell," GBN's royal correspondent Cameron Walker revealed when asked if Louise may join the monarchy's senior ranks. "She's studying English at the University of St Andrews, suggesting to me that perhaps she would want a bit of a career for herself. It's an incredible burden being a working member of the royal family."

Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh's daughter have been the subject of rumors when it comes to joining the royal family ever since King Charles' "slimmed-down monarchy" efforts took off.

"Princess Beatrice and Eugenie are involved in multiple charitable causes, portraying a commitment to public service," said Nikki Jain, the founder and CEO of The Sprout PR, told an outlet. "Zara Tindall’s experience in equestrianism can be used for events and patronages."

I think Lady Louise would — from people I speak to in the Palace — I think [she] is quite willing to do that," royal expert Kate Mansey dished in October 2023. "I remember going to some Guildhall event, and she was with her father, and very competently circulating, talking to dignitaries and foreign royals... She is at university at the moment; there’s plenty of time for them to do that," she added.

Louise and her younger brother, James, Earl of Wessex, were eligible to be styled as Prince and Princess had their father not asked Queen Elizabeth II to make him an earl instead of a royal duke at his 1999 wedding to Sophie. Instead, the children were appropriately titled and styled as the daughter and son of an earl, which did not change when Edward was created "Duke of Edinburgh" by King Charles III earlier this year.

However, the then-Countess of Wessex revealed in a 2020 interview that her children technically could use their royal styles one day if they wanted. "We try to bring them up with the understanding that they are very likely to have to work for a living," Her Royal Highness claimed.

Lady Louise has lived her life largely away from the world's cameras and currently attends Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales' alma mater, the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where she studies English.

Both Lady Louise and the Earl of Wessex are expected to still maintain the odd public engagement "here and there" as their parents continue to work as senior royals for the Crown. James is the current heir apparent to his father's "Duke of Edinburgh" title.