Lady Louise Windsor, the 21-year-old daughter of Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, is technically entitled to the title of Princess and the style of Her Royal Highness, yet she has chosen to retain her current styling as Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor. This decision has sparked renewed interest in the intricate rules governing royal titles, particularly as they apply to younger members of the British monarchy. Below, we explore the legal basis for her title, her parents’ approach, and the broader implications for the monarchy, supported by evidence from royal protocols and statements.
The Legal Basis for Lady Louise’s Princess Title’
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According to the Letters Patent issued by King George V in 1917, all children of a monarch’s sons are entitled to the title of Prince or Princess with the style of Royal Highness. As the daughter of Prince Edward, a son of Queen Elizabeth II, Lady Louise automatically qualified for the title of Princess at birth in 2003. The Letters Patent state:
“The children of any Sovereign of these Realms and the children of the sons of any such Sovereign… shall have and at all times hold and enjoy the style, title, or attribute of Royal Highness with their titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their respective Christian names” (Letters Patent, 1917, published in The London Gazette).
Despite this entitlement, Queen Elizabeth II, in consultation with Prince Edward and Sophie, chose to style Louise and her younger brother, James, Viscount Severn, as the children of an earl rather than as Prince and Princess. This decision was likely influenced by their positions as the seventh and eighth grandchildren of the monarch, making it unlikely for them to undertake working royal duties.
Parental Philosophy and Louise’s Choice
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In a 2020 interview with The Sunday Times, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, clarified that both Louise and James retain the right to use their royal titles upon reaching the age of 18. She stated:
“We made the decision not to use HRH titles. They have them and can decide to use them from 18, but it’s highly unlikely” (The Sunday Times, 2020).
Lady Louise, who turned 18 in November 2021, has not opted to use her Princess title. If she chose to do so, she would be styled as Her Royal Highness Princess Louise of Wessex. However, she has shown no indication of pursuing this option. Instead, she is currently studying English at the University of St. Andrews, where her cousin, Prince William, also studied. Her focus appears to be on her education and building an independent career, aligning with her parents’ philosophy of preparing their children for self-sufficient lives. Sophie emphasized this approach, noting:
“We try to bring them up with the understanding they are very likely to have to work for a living” (The Sunday Times, 2020).
Comparison with Other Royals
Lady Louise’s situation contrasts with that of her cousins, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, daughters of Prince Andrew, who were automatically styled as Princesses from birth under the same 1917 Letters Patent. Similarly, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle invoked these provisions to claim Prince and Princess titles for their children, Archie and Lilibet, when King Charles III ascended the throne in 2022.
However, when Prince Edward and Sophie were elevated to Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh in 2023, Louise did not receive a title upgrade. Instead, her younger brother, James, inherited their father’s former title of Earl of Wessex due to traditional inheritance rules favoring male heirs for courtesy titles. This decision highlights the persistence of historical protocols in modern royal practice.
Implications for the Monarchy
Royal experts note that no royal has ever changed their title upon turning 18, suggesting that Louise’s decision to remain Lady Louise is consistent with precedent (The Times, 2021). The legal complexities surrounding her title underscore the intricate nature of royal protocol. While her HRH style has not been formally revoked through new Letters Patent, a press release alone does not constitute removal, preserving her right to claim the title if she chooses.
Louise’s choice reflects broader questions about the future of the monarchy, particularly how younger royals balance personal freedom with royal tradition. Her decision to forgo the Princess title in favor of a more independent path represents a modern approach that prioritizes personal agency over automatic privilege. This aligns with King Charles III’s vision of a streamlined monarchy, where fewer royals undertake official duties.
Conclusion
Lady Louise Windsor’s eligibility to claim the title of Princess, yet her choice to remain Lady Louise, highlights the evolving nature of the British monarchy. Supported by the 1917 Letters Patent and her parents’ statements, her decision underscores a shift toward greater personal choice among younger royals. As she continues her studies and carves out an independent path, her story raises intriguing questions about the balance between tradition and modernity in the royal family.
What are your thoughts on Lady Louise’s decision to forgo her Princess title? Should younger royals have more flexibility in choosing their roles, or do traditional protocols still hold value? Share your perspectives below.
