Lady Louise Windsor and her brother James, the children of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, are navigating life away from the royal spotlight.
Unlike many of their royal cousins who often find themselves in the limelight, these two siblings enjoy a more subdued existence, thanks to their parents’ deliberate choices.
The Duke and Duchess have worked hard to provide their children with a semblance of normalcy, despite their royal lineage.
In a recent interview with The Times, Duchess Sophie opened up about their family life.
She shared that weekends are typically filled with outings with friends, dog walks, and sleepovers.
“I suppose not everyone’s grandparents live in a castle,” she remarked, emphasizing that who they are or where they come from doesn’t define their everyday experiences.
When the children are with their grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth, it’s simply family time.
Even though Lady Louise and James are entitled to the title of His or Her Royal Highness, their parents opted against using it.
This decision was made to allow the siblings to embrace a more ordinary lifestyle.
Duchess Sophie explained that they want their children to understand the importance of working for a living.
“We try to bring them up with the understanding that they are very likely to have to work for a living,” she noted in a 2020 interview.
At 21, Lady Louise is currently studying at St. Andrews University in Scotland, a place known for being the university where Prince William and Princess Kate first crossed paths.
While she may not fulfill official royal duties, she still makes appearances at select royal events.
For instance, she was present on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the King’s coronation last year, alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Her participation in royal events doesn’t overshadow her personal interests.
Horseback riding is one of Lady Louise’s passions, a tradition deeply rooted in royal culture.
Under the guidance of her grandfather, the late Prince Philip, she learned the art of carriage driving and even showcased her skills at the prestigious Windsor Horse Show in 2019.
The Wessex family resides in Bagshot Park, Surrey, conveniently located just 11 miles from Windsor Castle.
Their close proximity to other royals, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, adds another layer to their unique upbringing.
Despite their royal connections, Louise and James are encouraged to carve out their own paths.
James, now 16, is still figuring out what he wants to do with his future.
According to former BBC royal correspondent Jenny Bond, he may not follow in the traditional footsteps of military service like many royals before him.
Instead, he is likely to pursue higher education first, exploring options that align with his personal ambitions.
The Wessex children have role models within the royal family who have successfully navigated life without titles.
Their cousins, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, exemplify how one can thrive outside the constraints of royal expectations.
This could serve as inspiration for James as he contemplates his future.
As King Charles envisions a streamlined monarchy, the gradual emergence of the younger generation suggests they are ready to step up when called upon.
