by Scott Mehl
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

 

Born on November 8, 2003, at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey, England Lady Louise Alice Elizabeth Mary Mountbatten-Windsor is the elder of the two children and the only daughter of Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh and Sophie Rhys-Jones. Louise was born prematurely and delivered by emergency cesarean section after her mother suffered placental abruption which caused significant blood loss to her mother and fetal distress to Louise. Mother and daughter spent two weeks in the hospital.

Lady Louise was christened in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle on April 24, 2004, by the Dean of Windsor. She wore a christening gown that was first made for the christening of Queen Victoria’s eldest child in 1840. It has since been worn at almost all royal christenings since. However, due to the gown’s age and delicate condition, this would be the last time it was used.

Lady Louise’s godparents:

• Lady Alexandra Etherington (her father’s third cousin, daughter of James Carnegie, 3rd Duke of Fife)
• Lady Sarah Chatto (her father’s first cousin)
• Lord Ivar Mountbatten (her father’s second cousin, son of David Mountbatten, 3rd Marquess of Milford-Haven)
• Rupert Elliott (her father’s friend from Cambridge University)
• Francesca Schwarzenbach (her parents’ friend)

Louise has one younger brother:

• James Mountbatten-Windsor, Earl of Wessex (born 2007)

Lady Louise with her family at the Platinum Jubilee service of her grandmother Queen Elizabeth II

The titles and styles of Louise and her brother James are often disputed. Under the terms of King George V’s Letters Patent of 1917, as grandchildren of the sovereign in the male line, they are Prince and Princess of the United Kingdom, with the style of Royal Highness. However, at the time of Edward and Sophie’s marriage, a press release was issued from Buckingham Palace. Along with announcing Prince Edward’s new title as Earl of Wessex, it stated that Queen Elizabeth II, with the agreement of Edward and Sophie, had decided that any children born to them should not be given the style of Royal Highness, but instead, be given courtesy titles as children of an Earl.

As they would already be well down the line of succession (Prince Edward was 7th in line at the time of his marriage), it is believed that this was done to alleviate some of the ‘burdens’ associated with having a royal title and to allow them somewhat more of a normal life. However, many argue that the press release does not supersede the terms of the 1917 Letters Patent and that Louise and James are, in fact, Prince and Princess. In June 2020, during an interview with the Sunday Times Magazine, Sophie stated that she and her husband have raised their children with the intent that will have to work for a living as opposed to being working royals. She continued: “Hence we made the decision not to use HRH titles. They have them and can decide to use them from 18, but I think it’s highly unlikely.”

Lady Louise was born with esotropia, a condition that causes one or both eyes to turn inwards. She underwent a minor operation in 2006 and is believed to have undergone a second operation in 2013.

Lady Louise attended St George’s School at Windsor Castle.  In 2017, she started at St. Mary’s School Ascot, a Roman Catholic independent day and boarding school for girls in South Ascot, Berkshire, England. Louise graduated from St. Mary’s School Ascot in 2022. In September 2022, Louise began studying English at the University of St. Andrews in St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland. Her first cousin Prince William, Duke of Cambridge is a graduate of the University of St. Andrews as is his wife.

Lady Louise made her first big appearance on the royal stage in 2011, serving as a bridesmaid at the wedding of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, now The Prince and Princess of Wales. She is also seen at some larger events, such as the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony.

Lady Louise followed in the footsteps of her grandfather The Duke of Edinburgh and took up carriage driving.  The Duke of Edinburgh took up the sport at age 50 after he quit polo.

 

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