Lady Louise Windsor is a Young Royal to Watch
Her late Majesty’s youngest granddaughter took our breath away at yesterday’s Coronation ceremony.


Aside from the obvious cast of characters that we cover ad nauseum around here—King Charles, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their two children—a new face emerged yesterday at the Coronation, one largely overlooked heretofore: Lady Louise Windsor, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh (otherwise known as Prince Edward and Sophie). Clad in a silk dress by Suzannah and a bespoke Jane Taylor hat, Louise took the world’s collective breath away yesterday, with Tatler calling her “the picture of poise” and yesterday “her most stylish display yet.” So who is the youngest granddaughter of the late Queen Elizabeth?
Louise, 19, is the second youngest of Her late Majesty’s eight grandchildren—the only grandchild younger is James, Viscount Severn, Louise’s younger brother. Louise and James were very close to their grandparents, and Louise in particular “shared a close relationship with her grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh [or Prince Philip—Louise’s father, Edward, now carries his title], from whom she inherited a love of carriage driving,” Tatler reports. (Philip’s love of carriage driving is depicted in Netflix’s The Crown.)
“Lady Louise has won fans thanks to her low-key nature and sense of duty—she memorably played an important role in the days following the death of Queen Elizabeth II,” Tatler reports. Louise grew up at Bagshot Park in Windsor, largely keeping out of the spotlight; close royal watchers might remember her turn as a flower girl at the William and Kate’s wedding 12 years ago, when she was seven years old. Speaking of William and Kate, Louise is now a student at the place where they met and fell in love, the University of St. Andrews. Louise is currently studying English at university.
Currently fifteenth in line to the throne, Louise is styled as Lady Louise, after her parents made a decision upon their marriage in 1999 to style their children as children of an earl, rather than prince or princess. In 2020, Sophie stated that it would be Louise’s choice when she turned 18 as to whether to use another styling but, so far, Lady Louise remains.
Louise was seen frequently in 2022, attending the memorial service for her grandfather Philip in March, and in June, Platinum Jubilee events to honor her grandmother like Trooping the Colour—where she joined her family on the Buckingham Palace balcony—the Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Platinum Party at the Palace. After the death of Queen Elizabeth on September 8, Louise stood vigil for 15 minutes alongside her brother and cousins at her grandmother’s coffin at Westminster Hall, and she was present at the state funeral on September 19.
The night before the Coronation, Louise joined her parents, brother, and other members of the royal family for dinner at Oswald’s and cut a stunning figure yesterday at the ceremony and on the balcony.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Rachel Burchfield is a writer, editor, and podcaster whose primary interests are fashion and beauty, society and culture, and, most especially, the British Royal Family and other royal families around the world. She serves as Marie Claire’s Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor and has also contributed to publications like Allure, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, People, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and W, among others. Before taking on her current role with Marie Claire, Rachel served as its Weekend Editor and later Royals Editor. She is the cohost of Podcast Royal, a show that was named a top five royal podcast by The New York Times. A voracious reader and lover of books, Rachel also hosts I’d Rather Be Reading, which spotlights the best current nonfiction books hitting the market and interviews the authors of them. Rachel frequently appears as a media commentator, and she or her work has appeared on outlets like NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, and more.
-
Beyoncé Trades Her 'Cowboy Carter' Glam for a Whole New Aesthetic
She's gone corporate core.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
Fans Think 'Temptation Island' Success Story Ashley and Danny Are Still Together—Here's What We Know
The pair found each other on the Netflix reality show...after she called things off with her ex.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Why Queen Camilla Is a "Stranger to Self-Pity" After Difficult Health Battles and Public Criticism
A source said Camilla draws her strength from a strong "sense of duty" despite her recent challenges.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
King Charles Admits to Unexpectedly Emotional Moment With Prince William: "It Reduced Me to Tears"
The monarch was "deeply touched" by his son's words.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Why King Charles and Queen Camilla Are Spending a "Lot of Time Apart" Ahead of Their 20th Wedding Anniversary
"Before she married Charles, she made a pact."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
The Understandable Reason Queen Camilla Doesn't Cook for King Charles, According to Her Son
"I don't think there's a lot of, 'Honey, I'm home, what's for dinner?'"
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
King Charles Says Beyoncé Is "So Exceptional" and "Incomparable" on His New Apple Music Broadcast
Welcome to the Beyhive, Your Majesty.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
King Charles Just Spent $3.9 Million on the House Next Door to Queen Camilla's Private Home
Camilla is reportedly "grateful and relieved" after her husband made the expensive purchase.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
King Charles and Queen Camilla's State Visit to Italy Has Been Thrown Into "Doubt" Amid Official's Health Concerns
The royals were set to visit Rome and Ravenna, and meet with Pope Francis.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
King Charles Makes a Surprising Pivot in His Social Media Strategy That Reveals His "Happy King" Era
An unexpectedly fun new royal initiative launches March 10.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Queen Camilla's New Puppy Is Joined by Another Pet for King Charles—and He's "Besotted"
The King and Queen have a full house now.
By Kristin Contino Published