Latest news with #LadyLouiseWindsor
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Sophie looks on top form as she enjoys a tipple at the Royal Windsor Horse Show
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, was all smiles today as she enjoyed the first day of the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire. The Duchess, who is an increasingly prominent figure in the royal family, is the Vice President of the four-day annual event held at Home Park, Windsor Castle. A beaming Sophie, 60, appeared to throw herself into the day out, enjoying a little tipple, treating herself to some chocolate and browsing rugs and baskets at a stall on site. The wife of Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, 61, was beaming as she mixed with other attendees and was seen laughing enthusiastically. Sophie, the mother of James, Earl of Wessex, 17, and Lady Louise Windsor, 21, looked typically stylish today, opting for a dressed-down but elegant look. Sticking to a neutral palette, she paired an off-white, pleated midi skirt with a cream jumper, topping it all off with a navy military style coat complete with gold buttons. She was dressed for the cool weather in slouchy suede boots and accessorised with a brown handbag with a handle featuring a white floral design. Sophie wore her blonde hair brushed back in a chic chignon and added a pair of dainty gold earrings, which brightened her complexion. The understated duchess kept her make-up simple for the occasion, adding some bronzer and blush, as well as a slick of rose-coloured lipstick. While Sophie and Edwards's daughter Louise is a keen horsewoman who often competes in equestrian events, she did not accompany her mother today. The first Royal Windsor Horse Show took place in May 1943 as the Windsor Horse and Dog Show. King George VI, Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) and the two young princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret were all in attendance. Last month, Sophie stepped out in a stylish burgundy ensemble alongside her family for the royal Easter church service. Cheerful Sophie appeared to be enjoying the Easter Sunday sunshine as she strolled alongside her husband Prince Edward, 61, and their son James Earl of Wessex, 17, ahead of the Easter Matins service at St George's Chapel in Windsor, Berkshire. She looked elegant in a tailored plum double breasted overcoat, which stylishly flared out at the hem, donning a crisp collared white dress underneath. She matched the stand-out piece with a purple clutch bag, a rose-coloured fascinator and glossy nude kitten heels. The Duke of Edinburgh looked smart in a grey suit with a brown patterned tie and was seen chatting to his youngest child, James, the Earl of Wessex as the family made their way to the seasonal service. The teenager - who towered over both of his parents - took a leaf out of his father's book as he donned a smart suit, with a navy and red tie. The Earl is now taller than his father, who is thought to be around 6ft - photos from last year's Sunday service show them at the same height. His sister and Sophie and Edward's eldest child Lady Louise Windsor, 21, was missing from this year's service. She is currently in her third year of studying for an English undergraduate degree at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. It is thought that Lady Louise is currently studying for her exams, which start on a couple of weeks time on May 10 and finish on May 26. She is thought to have been Queen Elizabeth's 'favourite grandchild' as royal expert Ingrid Seward explained that Louise and her brother, James, Earl of Wessex, 'were the grandchildren that they saw the most.' James still lives at Bagshot Park, a 17th-century estate near Windsor, with his parents, whereas Lady Louise relocated up north to Scotland a couple of years ago when she started her university course. She was dressed for the cooler weather in slouchy suede boots He is the youngest grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth II and he was born James Alexander Philip Theo Mountbatten-Windsor in Surrey on December 17, 2007. The Sunday service, which runs for one hour from 10.45am until 11.45am, has been a key date in the royal family 's calendar for centuries. For the occasion Sophie wore her golden tresses up in a practical low bun, pairing the classic hairstyle with beaded dangly earrings. The royal opted for natural makeup, wearing a hint of pink eyeshadow with matching lipstick to compliment her wardrobe choice.
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Lady Louise's love for horses that she inherited from her late grandmother the Queen - and all about the boy she met at St Andrews
There's no one quite like grandma. This is especially true for Lady Louise Windsor, Prince Edward and Sophie's only daughter. It has long been rumoured that Louise was the Queen's favourite grandchild, with the two sharing a love of horses and the outdoors. As Louise is due to attend this year's Royal Windsor Horse Show, she will continue her grandparents ' legacy. Louise, an accomplished equestrian, was taught to ride at an early age and joined her father on horseback as part of the Queen's 90th birthday celebrations in Windsor in 2016. Prior to the Queen's death, royal expert Ingrid Seward said the late monarch and her granddaughter Louise were 'extremely close'. 'She is like another daughter to the Queen,' she said. Louise could follow in the footsteps of her closely held grandmother, with the two having been compared on a number of occasions. Louise with her boyfriend Felix da Silva-Clamp after he hopped on her carriage for a ride in between events at Sandringham in Norfolk Commenting on the likened nature of the two, Ingrid Seward said: 'There are shades of the young Elizabeth. There is something about her – a capability. 'She's obviously a very gentle young woman.' Seward 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, with her parents wanting to preserve a 'normal childhood' for her. Her mother, Sophie, once revealed in an interview that as a child, Louise had come home one day saying: 'Mummy, people keep on telling me that grandma is the Queen.' Louise is also a skilled carriage driver, with Sophie saying she gained a 'great passion' and a 'natural curiosity' from her grandfather. She made her driving debut at the age of 17 in 2021 and in 2022 she drove one of Prince Philip's carriages at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, in front of the Queen The 21-year-old bares a striking resemblance to her late grandmother in her youth and was carriage-taught by her grandfather Prince Philip. Despite not competing in the horse show last year, Louise was hard at work helping to organise the event. Following his retirement, Philip had more time to enjoy carriage-driving - a favourite pasttime since the 1970s. He raced carriages near Norfolk before going on to represent Britain at several world and European championships. Seward said: 'Prince Philip took pleasure in watching Louise compete at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. 'He would have made sure she had some top-class tuition from one of his grooms and of course the availability of ponies and carriages to drive.' Lady Louise now takes part in competitions and has driven her grandfather's ponies as a way to keep his memory alive. Philip shared a special bond with Lady Louise because of the sport and left her his carriage when he died in 2021. As a student at St Andrews, Louise has been seen competing and volunteering at equestrian events But horses aren't the only love in Louise's life. Last June she was photographed with Felix da Silva-Clamp as she took part in the Sandringham Horse Driving Trials in Norfolk. After her first event, Louise took Felix for a ride around on her carriage. He appeared to get on well with Louise's parents, beaming as he chatted to the Duchess of Edinburgh. The two met at St Andrews, where her cousin Prince William famously met his future wife. It is believed that Louise and Felix struck up a friendship when they were cast in a play together. Felix was born in Kensington and is the son of solicitor Jonathan Charles William da Silva-Clamp - who contested the 2022 local Wandsworth elections as a Tory candidate for Shaftesbury and Queenstown. Felix works in an ice cream parlour in St Andrews while undertaking his studies, according to the Daily Express. Although Felix was born in London, he went to Melbourne Grammar School and his mother still lives in Australia. It has been reported that Lady Louise is 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 in Australia, studying abroad is an option he and Lady Louise are considering. The young royal is pictured with her father Prince Edward at Windsor Castle in 2021 Louise is also said to have 'fallen in love' with Army cadets alongside her university degree - much like her father did a generation earlier. If the royal - who has maintained a low profile during her university days - goes down the military path, she will be the first female royal since her late grandmother to do so. Queen Elizabeth was a Junior Commander with the Auxiliary Territorial Service during the Second World War. Elizabeth made history as the first royal woman to become a full-time member of the armed services, after she signed up within a year of turning 18. While Louise often shies away from the spotlight, instead keeping a firm focus on her education, she may become a rising star among the younger generation of royals.
