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Daily Mail
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Lady Louise Windsor is joined by her rumoured university boyfriend and the Duchess of Edinburgh as she competes in carriage driving festival
Lady Louise Windsor was spotted enjoying a day out with her family - and her rumoured boyfriend - at The Sandringham Festival of Carriage Driving today. The 21-year-old, who is the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, this afternoon took part in a competition at the annual festival in Norfolk. The royal, who currently in the third year of her English degree at St Andrew's University, was joined by a band of supporters, including her mother, Sophie, 60, and Felix da Silva-Clamp, who she is understood to be in a relationship with. Aboard a carriage, the young royal was seen driving a sleek black horse across the concourse while Felix, dressed casually in a pale blue shirt, walked alongside. The pair beamed as they chatted with one another. Louise and Felix first met at St Andrew's, where their close bond has became the source of vast speculation, with many believing the two to be romantically linked. They appeared relaxed in each other's company on Friday, both smiling as they enjoyed a conversation. During one particularly jovial moment, Louise appeared to dangle her whip into the air for Felix to clap between his hands. Meanwhile, doting Sophie was seen at the perimeter of the course, snapping photos of her daughter - who is known to share the late Queen Elizabeth II's love for horses. Felix also appeared to get on well with the Duchess this afternoon, as the pair enjoyed watching Louise in action. She has oft been hailed as the royal family 's 'secret weapon', thanks to her natural poise combined with a down-to-earth nature and resemblance to her grandmother. And the young royal seems to be making the most of her studies. In pictures released in March earlier this year, the 16th in line to the throne was seen masterfully taking to the stage alongside her university friends as they all starred in a play. She is known to have taken lead roles alongside Felix, who also shares her passion for theater. The rumoured lovebirds were also was seen cosying up to Felix at her 21st birthday last November. The duo wrapped their arms around each other, gently placing their heads together as Lady Louise took selfies on her phone, while in another image, she was seen snuggling up to Felix, placing her hand on his chest and her head on his shoulder. The pair have been forging a strong bond over the past two years, with Felix - whose father is a solicitor - even reportedly travelling down to the Sandringham estate in Norfolk to see Louise at her driving competition in June, where she won an impressive silver medal. If the couple go the distance they will follow in the footstep of William and Kate, who also met when they were students at St Andrews - and Felix already seems at ease with the family. The young man works in an ice cream parlour in St Andrews while undertaking his studies, according to the Daily Express, and Lady Louise herself has experience of taking on a low-key part-time job despite her royal status. In 2022, she spent the summer working at a garden centre before embarking on her higher education. Louise was said to have been helping out on the tills, greeting customers, and pruning and potting plants - for £6.63 per hour. One customer said: 'She is a really modest and sweet young woman who is polite and attentive to customers. She seemed to be loving the job. You'd never imagine the Queen's granddaughter would take on a role working behind a till.' Another added: 'The staff seemed to adore her. It's not every day you buy your begonias off a royal.' As part of Lady Louise's four-year English Literature degree programme, undergraduates can study a semester abroad. Although Felix was born in London, he went to Melbourne Grammar School and his mother, who works for the World Health Organisation's mental health gap action programme, currently lives Down Under. It has been reported that Lady Louise is too keen to jet off to Australia for her final year - with Macquarie University at the top of her list. A source told the Express that due to Felix previously attending a school overseas, studying in another country is an option they're considering. However, the plan has not been finalised yet. Thus far, Lady Louise has ensured her studies come first as she completes her degree - missing out on two Easter Sunday services in a row as she stayed in Edinburgh. Despite being cousins with Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Prince William and Prince Harry, Louise uses the title 'Lady' rather than 'Princess'. She was not made a princess at birth because her father, Prince Edward, wanted to shield her from the pressures of a life in the public eye. Speaking to The Sunday Times in 2020, her mother, Sophie, explained: 'We try to bring them up with the understanding that they are very likely to have to work for a living. Hence we made the decision not to use HRH titles.' Louise has previously expressed an interest in pursuing a career in 'the military, diplomacy or law'. A source told The Sun in August: 'She talks about being very keen on a career in the military, serving the King and country. She is all about the Army Cadets and has fallen in love with it.' If Lady Louise goes down the military path, she will be the first female royal since her late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, to do so. She is thought to have been extremely close with her late grandmother, having paid nearly fortnightly visits to Elizabeth and Phillip. Royal expert Ingrid Seward has previously explained that Louise and her brother, James, Earl of Wessex, 'were the grandchildren that they saw the most'. In comparison, 'while the older ones were seen less frequently, this little girl was there every weekend'. It was even reported that Louise had no idea her grandmother was the Queen until later in life, her parents wanting to preserve a 'normal childhood' for her. Her mother, Sophie, once revealed in at an interview that as a child, Louise had come home one day saying: 'Mummy, people keep on telling me that grandma is the Queen.' Lady Louise was their seventh grandchild. And for Philip, she brought not just joy but a sense of personal pride. This was because she became the first royal to officially carry the surname Mountbatten-Windsor - so allowing Philip's surname, Mountbatten, to continue into the future of the Royal family.
Daily Mail
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Queen Elizabeth's trusted milliner shares her styling advice for Royal Ascot 2025
As summer approaches, it marks the busiest season for hatmakers, thanks to a surge in weddings, garden parties - and of course - racing season. Among the highlights of the social calendar is Royal Ascot, which calls for all hands on deck for milliners. Taking place from 17–21 June, the event is a staple of British summer tradition, frequently attended by senior members of the Royal Family, including the King and Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. The dress code is famously detailed, outlining everything from hem lengths and strap widths to headwear, depending on each enclosure. But these guidelines haven't always been so strict. In 2012, fascinators were banned from the Royal Enclosure as part of a broader initiative to formalise the dress code. That same update introduced rules such as no strapless tops and modest skirt lengths for women, while men were required to wear waistcoats with ties - cravats strictly off-limits. For those entering the Royal Enclosure, headwear must feature a base diameter of at least four inches (10cm), while in the Queen Anne and Village Enclosures, guests have more freedom in choosing their headpieces. With these regulations in mind, MailOnline caught up with Rachel Trevor-Morgan - Queen Elizabeth II's trusted milliner - for her insights on spring/summer 2025 trends and styling advice for this year's event. Based in the heart of St James for over three decades, Rachel's atelier exudes creativity. The space is lined with a stunning array of hats and headpieces in varying styles and sizes - many of which serve as starting points for bespoke commissions. This season, she notes, there is a strong lean towards refined simplicity. 'A key trend is for a very pared down look,' Rachel says. 'Clean lines, neutral colours and simple trims. We have been selling statement brimmed hats and lots of floral designs, which are always key for Royal Ascot.' Her vibrant new collection reflects this perfectly: white, beige and pink dominate, accented with touches of green and burnt orange. Silhouettes range from pillbox hats and headbands to eye-catching saucers and elegant boaters, ensuring there is something to suit every aesthetic. Among her favourites is a two-tone large disc brim with a button pillbox crown: 'a clean, modern and sophisticated silhouette full of drama and poise.' For those feeling daunted by the idea of coordinating a complete look, it is advised to begin with your main garment, whether it's a dress, jumpsuit or trouser suit. From there, accessories can either echo a colour in the print or channel timeless neutrals, such as white or nude. 'There are no particular rules for coordinating a hat with your outfit but they do need to speak to each other and make sense,' Rachel explains. 'Personally, I love coordinating hats and dresses but it is also fun to team colours that are unexpected. Shapes range from pillbox hats and headbands to bold saucers and elegant boaters - something to suit every aesthetic The stunning array of hats and headpieces serve as starting points for bespoke commissions Princess Beatrice and the Duchess of Edinburgh are among Rachel's other distinguished clients Based in the heart of St James for over three decades, Rachel's atelier exudes creativity. The space is lined with a stunning array of hats and headpieces in varying styles and sizes 'Make sure you consider your whole look in the mirror when making your final choice. If you are able to go to a milliner, they will be able to give you the benefit of their styling knowledge.' Royal Ascot is the ideal occasion to try something bold - and Rachel encourages embracing it. 'When you're millinery shopping, remember that for Ascot the hat is the main event. 'Opt for a simple dress that you can pair with a more extravagant hat. If you are anxious about headwear, keep in mind that everyone around you will be wearing hats so going too small in your choice might leave you disappointed and wishing you had gone for something bolder.' Trends in millinery are always shifting, with shapes falling in and out of favour. Rachel is currently seeing strong demand for wide brims - striking in shape, yet softened by minimalist detailing. Every piece is meticulously crafted by hand. Shapes are hand-blocked and the flowers are made by individually dyeing, cutting and shaping the petals. Her exquisite craftsmanship has earned her an elite clientele, including royalty. 'It was an incredible privilege to make hats for Queen Elizabeth and Ascot especially was always a very exciting time,' she shares. 'We never knew what outfits she would be wearing and only found out as her carriage appeared through the gates from Windsor Great Park.' 'I usually worked alongside Stewart Parvin who would design her clothes. Once I had a sketch and a fabric swatch, I had a pretty free hand on what I created. Over our 20-year collaboration, I got to know what styles worked best for her. 'She was of course charming to work with.' The first hat Rachel designed for the Queen was for her 80th birthday service at St Paul's - and many more followed. The Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Edinburgh, and Princess Beatrice are among her other distinguished clients.
