There was cause for massive celebrations this week as Lady Louise Windsor graduated from the University of St Andrews with a degree in English.
Lady Louise, who was announced as Louise Mountbatten-Windsor as she walked across the stage to collect her degree per HELLO, is not the first royal to graduate from the institution based in Fife, Scotland - both Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales attended the university (and, indeed, it’s where their love story began).
Posing with their newly graduated daughter in photos shared by the palace, Duchess Sophie - showcasing her new short bob - and Prince Edward beamed with pride. But it’s the subtle touch of Prince Edward choosing to wear the same tie that he wore when taking Louise home from the hospital as a baby that really tugged at our heartstrings.
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It would appear that, like his sister Princess Anne who has made quite a trend of re-wearing pieces from decades ago, Prince Edward also holds on to his clothes for plenty of sustainable re-wear potential. The fact that he chose to wear the same green patterned tie is just such a quietly thoughtful gesture.
In the graduation photo, it also appears that mother and daughter did some subtle co-ordination. Sophie’s blue patterned dress and navy jacket matches with her daughter’s blue drop earrings.
Lady Louise started at university in September 2022, and her time there has been kept private, as it was for Prince William. Now it’s being reported by several outlets that the young royal will take a gap year - as many new graduates do.
If graduating wasn’t enough of a milestone for Lady Louise, this week she’ll also collect another accolade - and this one has sweet connections to her grandfather, Prince Philip who she shared a close relationship with, especially bonding over their love of carriage driving.
Lady Louise is set to accept her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award from her father, the current Duke of Edinburgh, during a Gold Award bash at the Palace of the Holyroodhouse, King Charles' official royal residence in Scotland, during Royal Week.
Prince Philp founded the Duke of Edinburgh Awards in 1956, initially to encourage personal development for young men before entering National Service. With societal changes, this soon expanded and included young women.
The Gold Award is the highest achievement of the award, and includes the participant completing five key sections, Volunteering, Physical, Skills, Expedition and Residential (Gold only). Both Prince Edward and Princess Catherine have previously earned the Gold Award.
After Louise’s gap year, it’s not known if she’ll join her parents as a working royal. Louise and her brother, James, Earl of Wessex, are currently not working members and haven’t taken any HRH titles that are available to them.
Discussing the matter with The Times in 2020, Duchess Sophie said, “We try to bring them up with the understanding they are very likely to have to work for a living. Hence, we made the decision not to use HRH titles. They have them and can decide to use them from 18, but I think it’s highly unlikely.”
