In a rare and historic move, Lady Louise Windsor, the 20-year-old daughter of Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex, is poised to follow in the footsteps of her great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, by pursuing a career in the military. This development has been highlighted by GB News’s Digital Royal Editor, Svar Nanan-Sen, and Royal Correspondent, Cameron Walker, on their latest podcast episode of The Royal Record.
Currently studying English at the University of St Andrews, Lady Louise is also a member of the Officers’ Training Corps, reflecting her keen interest in a military career. If she proceeds with this path, she will become the first female royal to serve in the armed forces since Queen Elizabeth II’s service during World War II.
Lady Louise’s potential military career would mark a significant departure from the professional trajectories of her cousins, including Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, and Zara Tindall, who have all chosen non-military career paths. As noted by Svar Nanan-Sen, “It’s really interesting, and it’s also a very different path to what we’ve seen her cousins take.”
Cameron Walker elaborated on the historical context, noting, “The late Queen was a junior commander in the Auxiliary Territorial Service during World War Two. Lady Louise would be following in her footsteps after an 80-year gap, which is astonishing.”
Lady Louise’s training involves Reserve Officer modules, which are designed to complement her academic studies. This training covers various aspects, from proper uniform wear to leadership under pressure. According to sources close to her, she is deeply committed to the Army Cadets and has expressed a strong desire to serve King and country.
Her father, Prince Edward, briefly trained with the Royal Marines in the 1980s but did not pursue a military career, making Lady Louise’s choice even more notable.
This decision aligns with the strong sense of duty that has been a hallmark of the Royal Family. As Cameron Walker pointed out, “With the Army comes a sense of duty, and with the Royal Family comes a sense of duty.” Lady Louise’s move could add a new dimension to her royal role, complementing her existing interests such as carriage riding, a passion she inherited from her late grandfather, Prince Philip.
While Lady Louise may also explore other paths such as diplomacy or law, her current focus on military training reflects her deep engagement and enthusiasm for serving her country.
As the Royal Family and public watch closely, Lady Louise’s career trajectory is expected to continue to garner significant interest, highlighting her unique position within the royal lineage and her commitment to service.
