As she celebrates her birthday on 8 November, Louise is clearly thriving.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s daughter, who is 18th in the line of succession, is embarking on a gap year after graduating with an English degree from the University of St Andrews. She is expected to spend it working, volunteering and travelling.

Observers say that she would be “a great asset” to the royal family if she were called upon to undertake engagements on their behalf.

‘She would be really useful to the royal family’

Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine and author of Catherine & Diana, says Louise has grown up surrounded by family members who feel a duty to serve. “She has been guided by her mother and father and was close to the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. She has witnessed a fair amount of history already. 

“She would be really useful to the royal family. If she felt a real calling and said, ‘Mum, I really want to bring a massive amount of publicity to this cause’, then she would do it. She could do that for causes that mean something to her. Like other royals, she could start by doing one or two little things and build it from there.”

Ailsa Anderson LVO, former Communications and Press Secretary to Queen Elizabeth II (2001-2013), says that Louise has the right temperament for royal work.

“If there was a role for her, I think she would fulfill it brilliantly, a bit like Zara Phillips does at garden parties and Royal Ascot,” says Ailsa. “She is dutiful, doesn’t make a fuss, is stoical, practical, and just gets on with it.”

“Lady Louise becoming a full-time working royal would also go against the grain of what the King wants in terms of a slimmed-down monarchy. I wouldn’t be at all surprised, however, if she explored a military role.”

A confidence and deterination beyond her years

Those who have seen her in public say she displays a confidence and determination beyond her years. 

James Whatling, who has photographed her at dozens of events, tells HELLO! she had a “spring in her stride” after her graduation in July, when she was joined by her parents and her boyfriend, Felix da Silva-Clamp, 22. “Even though she knew there were cameras there, she shone. It felt like she was ready for the spotlight.”

She competes in carriage-driving events, most recently at Windsor Great Park last month. She was taught the sport by her grandfather, Prince Philip. He and the late Queen Elizabeth II were known to have been very fond of their youngest granddaughter.

Over the summer, Louise took a job on the King’s Balmoral estate, cooking and serving supper to holidaymakers who rented lodges there. She also mucked in at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May, working behind the scenes in a hi-vis vest. Before she started university she had a part-time job at a garden centre.

Louise’s close relationship with her parents Edward and Sophie

Louise is very close to both parents and Sophie is often there to support her at her carriage driving events, including at Windsor and at the Glebe Estate National Driving Trials in West Sussex in August.  

Her father, as patron of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, beamed as he presented her with her gold award in July. “They’re very similar in terms of their mannerisms,” says James. “You can detect a close daddy-daughter relationship. There’s obviously a great deal of pride.”

Ingrid adds that her father and mother are excellent role models – “calm, steady and empathetic” with a restrained elegance. “Lady Louise has a close bond with both parents, especially her mother, who, together with Prince Philip, encouraged her to become proficient at carriage driving to successfully compete. Both Sophie and Edward are proud of their daughter’s success.”

Finding love at university

Like her cousin the Prince of Wales, she seems to have found love at St Andrews and is regularly seen with Felix, who grew up in Melbourne. Both took part in military exercises while at university and joined the St Andrews’ Mermaids performing arts group.

“Things like that give you extra confidence,” says James. “One thing that strikes me about her is that she may be quiet but I think, underneath, there’s a steely determination. You see her with the horses and she commands them. She’s fearless. It’s a tricky thing to do.”

Those who know Louise describe her as grounded, polite and hardworking. “She is completely down to earth,” says Ailsa. “There’s no airs and graces.”

Sara Howe, a carriage driving trainer who often sees Louise on the circuit, says she blends in seamlessly. “You would never know who she is.” As for Felix, Sara says: “He’s always been supportive, but also leaves her alone to get on with the job. They’re just lovely.” James adds: “He’s a strong, confident, eloquent young man. She has a friend, a protector, who stands up for her.”

A full-time working royal role is not Louise’s destiny

Royal sources suggest that she is not destined to become a full-time working royal, pointing to the model set by Zara Tindall, who has occasionally supported William, including at a Buckingham Palace garden party in 2024, when the Princess of Wales was undergoing cancer treatment. 

Ingrid says: “I don’t think that Sophie and Edward wanted her to experience the kind of exposure that the royals have today. She’s not a royal princess, but maybe when she’s a bit older she may want [a royal role] and do it alongside a job. If she’s going to have a royal role, it would be with her mother’s guidance.”

Edward and Sophie declined an offer to give Louise or James the style HRH, saying they could choose for themselves when they turned 18. Neither Louise nor James, who turned 18 last December, has shown any sign of using it.

Sophie was a businesswoman before marrying into the royal family, and her quiet diligence and commitment to her causes have made her a key player in the monarchy. “Sophie’s journey from being the PR girl next door has been remarkable,” says Ailsa. “She has been an incredible role model, particularly in terms of duty and service to the King and country.”

Louise has clearly inherited her parents’ work ethic. Now, as she prepares to begin her gap year in earnest, all eyes will be on her next move.