Lady Louise Windsor, born on November 8, 2003, is the eldest daughter of Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, and Duchess Sophie. Unlike other members of the royal family, Lady Louise grew up away from the spotlight. She has led a relatively quiet life. However, this 20-year-old woman, 16th in line to the British throne, is starting to attract attention. She is noted for her bold choices, including her refusal of a royal title upon reaching adulthood. Additionally, her career plans are quite surprising.
After obtaining her high school diploma, Lady Louise chose a very particular path: in 2022, she enrolled at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, a prestigious institution that has seen among its students Prince William and Kate Middleton, now Prince and Princess of Wales. Louise is studying English literature there, a discipline in line with her love for reading. This love is inherited from her mother, Duchess Sophie.
However, it is not just her interest in literature that is drawing the interest of the British press. On her LinkedIn profile, Lady Louise revealed her ambition. She wishes to pursue a career in "the army, diplomacy, or law." This statement surprised many. However, it is consistent with her marked involvement in the Officers’ Training Corps. This military unit at her university allows students to receive rigorous training while continuing their studies.
A close friend confided to the tabloid The Sun that Lady Louise is "very enthusiastic about pursuing a career in the army, serving the king and the country." This passion for the army does not come out of nowhere. Indeed, the young woman has a deep love for military cadets. It is a world in which she fully thrives. Her current commitment could lead her to become the first woman in the British royal family to join the army. Indeed, this has not happened since Queen Elizabeth II, her beloved grandmother.
Queen Elizabeth II played a fundamental role in shaping Lady Louise. She made history. Indeed, she is the first woman in the royal family to serve full-time in the British armed forces. In 1945, when she was only 18, Elizabeth joined the ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service), the women’s branch of the British army during World War II. She was trained there as a driver and mechanic, reaching the rank of junior commander. This commitment, far more than symbolic, made her a notable figure within the armed forces.
Lady Louise Windsor seems to want to follow this family example. However, she is not the only one in her generation considering a military career. Her uncles and male cousins, like Prince Harry, have all had more or less significant military experiences. Similarly, Prince William and Prince Andrew have followed this path. However, her own father, Prince Edward, had a different trajectory. The youngest of Queen Elizabeth II’s sons joined the Royal Marines after his studies but left active service before completing his training, later turning to a career in the performing arts.
Lady Louise could thus be the one to restore the military prestige of this branch of the family. She is currently engaged in the University Officers’ Training Corps (UOTC) at St Andrews, where she is learning the basics of military life while continuing her academic studies. This training does not obligate her to pursue a military career after her studies. However, it demonstrates her seriousness and dedication.
If the young woman joins the army after her studies, she could follow in her grandmother’s footsteps. She would make history by becoming the first woman in the royal family to actively serve in the army. Indeed, this has not happened since World War II. This decision would be a turning point for an heir who has managed to remain discreet until now. However, she has always cultivated a strong personality and well-defined convictions.
Lady Louise Windsor, with her unique path and courageous life choices, embodies a new generation of British royals. She is ready to take on active roles within society. Only the future will tell if this young woman will indeed follow the military path, but one thing is certain: she is already a figure to watch in the British royal family.