William Likely to Give a ‘Dark Horse Royal’ a More Prominent Role to Reinforce the Thinning Monarchy
Prince William may soon be forced to think about the royal roster, and the freshest recruit might be somebody that only a few royal watchers saw coming. With the monarchy’s working ranks having shrunk significantly in recent years, whispers inside the Palace suggest that the heir apparent is considering turning to Lady Louise Windsor, the discreet but promising royal, who has always been on the sidelines.
Over the years, the royal family’s lineup has been thinning dramatically. Prince Harry’s and Meghan Markle’s exit in 2020, followed by Prince Andrew’s fall from grace shortly after, has left a noticeable gap in the royal workforce. As the monarchy adopts King Charles’s vision of a 'slimmed-down' institution, the question now is whether the small circle is sustainable, especially when public engagements and national appearances continue to accumulate.
So Lady Lousie becomes a consideration. The 21-year-old daughter of Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, has long been viewed as one of the quieter Windsors. She is polite, poised, and refreshingly unassuming. Royal commentator Christopher Wilson believes her moment might be near. “That leaves dark-horse contender Lady Louise Windsor, 21, who charms all who meet her and could be a decorative and useful asset to the royal team,” he wrote in the Daily Mail. Yet he cautiously added, “Her mother Sophie, vastly protective of her daughter, is just as likely to want her to stay out of the spotlight.”
The concern isn't unfounded as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have consistently steered their children, Lady Louise and 17-year-old James, Earl of Wessex, towards a more grounded life. They have kept them away from the intensity of the royal duties. “We try to bring them up with the understanding they are very likely to have to work for a living,” Sophie told The Times back in 2020. “Hence, we made the decision not to use HRH titles.”
Despite being grandchildren of the late Queen Elizabeth II and technically entitled to royal styles, both Louise and James had a relatively normal childhood. Their public appearances have been limited to major family events like Royal Ascot, the Platinum Jubilee, and Trooping the Color.
Still, those who have met Lady Louise often remark on her charm and confidence, qualities that might make her exactly the kind of royal the Firm needs right now. A student at St. Andrews University, the same institution where William and Kate Middleton’s story famously began, she has managed to keep a low profile, reportedly balancing her studies with the occasional royal fun.
For William, the appeal of bringing her forward seems to be abundantly clear. As he and Middleton shoulder an increasingly heavy load of engagements while raising three young children, especially at a time when the King is known to be increasingly dependent on them, a fresh face could help bridge the growing gap between royal demand and supply. Wilson, on that account, noted, “Public demand for the attendance of a royal to mark major and minor events up and down the country remains as high as ever.”