This 19-Year-Old Princess Is the Monarchy's "Secret Weapon"

While Prince Harry, Prince William, Princess Eugenie, and Princess Beatrice all seem to live in the royal limelight, Lady Louise Windsor manages to keep a relatively low profile. The only daughter and eldest child of Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex, who turned 19 this week, studies at St Andrews University in Scotland is much younger than her cousins. However, according to experts, the beautiful college girl will be playing a much bigger role in the Royal Family in the years to come. In fact, some are calling her the monarchy's "secret weapon." 

Unlike her cousins who hold "Royal Highness" titles, Lady Louise has never carried out official royal duties and isn't officially called a princess. However, she does attend major public events in addition to family events, including Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June and state funeral in September. 

In the past few years she has started to attract attention. One example was at her cousin, Princess Eugenie's wedding in 2018, where she acted as special attendant. Anna Tyzack, writer and editor at The Telegraph and founder of the Mumfidential blog, declared that the then-14-year-old "captured hearts in her role as Princess Eugenie's special attendant." Many noted how impressive her behavior was, looking after her young second cousins. 

She also played a big role in Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding. "Lady Louise is ecstatic," a source said at the time. "William and Kate made the decision together. Sophie has been very helpful to Kate, advising her on all the dos and don'ts of Royal life. She has been a real ally. Sophie and Edward are both really pleased to see how happy this has made Lady Louise. She really is the loveliest, kindest, little thing. Edward and Sophie have always been terribly protective of her but she is now at school. They know she is going to have to get used to being in the limelight. And you couldn't deny her this chance. It is the perfect age to be a bridesmaid — not too old to be intimidated or embarrassed. She is so, so excited and they are all going to look terribly sweet walking down the aisle."

Over the summer it was announced she was heading to Prince William and Kate's alma mater. "Having received her Level results today, Lady Louise will start at St Andrews University in September to study English," the palace announced. She started the school year two days before the death of her grandmother, standing vigil at her coffin a few days after and then attending the funeral later in the week. 

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Now that King Charles has been forced to slim down his monarchy, eliminating Prince Andrew and Prince Harry, many maintain that the young royal will be the family's "secret weapon." After all, she has moved up the hierarchy and is now 15th in line to the throne. And, time and again has demonstrated poise and charm.