Prince William is likely to promote his cousin, 21-year-old Lady Louise Windsor, to a more prominent role within the royal family, an expert has claimed.
The 43-year-old Prince of Wales, who is next in line to the throne, has recently spoken about his desire for modernisation within the monarchy.
“I think it’s safe to say that change is on my agenda. Change for good. And I embrace that and I enjoy that change, I don’t fear it,” he told comedian Eugene Levy in a recent episode of The Reluctant Traveller.
While William didn’t spell out exactly what that “change” entails, insiders believe he intends to uphold his father King Charles III’s roadmap for a leaner monarchy- fewer working royals, a tighter circle of duties, and a sharper focus on key causes.
Right now, there are just 11 working members of the Royal Family, and seven of them are over 70.
That imbalance has reportedly prompted William to look at younger relatives who could one day share the load, including Lady Louise.
The daughter of Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, Louise is studying English at the University of St Andrews, the same university where William met Princess Catherine.
Although entitled to be styled as Princess Louise of Edinburgh, she instead uses the title Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, following a decision made by the late Queen Elizabeth II, who wanted her youngest grandchildren to grow up as the children of an earl rather than as full-time royals.
According to royal commentator Christopher Wilson, that arrangement might soon shift.
“Public demand for the attendance of a royal to mark major and minor events up and down the country remains as high as ever,” Wilson told The Mail.
“Prince Andrew retired in disgrace in November 2019. Harry, together with Meghan, fled the coop in 2020. The troops have left the battlefield, leaving their future commanding officer Prince William in despair.”
He added that when William becomes King, “all that’ll be left will be him and Catherine, Edward and Sophie, and Princess Anne.”
With Prince George still six years away from turning 18 and Zara Tindall busy running her own business, Wilson said William’s options were limited.
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are unlikely to be called upon given the scandals surrounding their parents, the Duke and Duchess of York.
“That leaves dark-horse contender Lady Louise Windsor, who charms all who meet her and could be a decorative and useful asset to the royal team,” Wilson said.
William and Louise were said to share a warm relationship – she was a bridesmaid at his 2011 wedding to Princess Catherine – and the Prince reportedly views her as a “real asset”, according to The Mail.
Beyond her studies, Louise is an accomplished carriage driver, a passion once shared with her late grandfather, Prince Philip, and is involved in the University Officer’s Training Corps.
She’s also rumoured to be dating Australian student Felix de Silva Clamp.
Although Louise and her younger brother James, 18, occasionally join their parents at official engagements, they’ve largely grown up away from the public eye.
Wilson added that their mother, Duchess Sophie, remains “vastly protective of her daughter” and may prefer her to stay out of the spotlight.
If Lady Louise were to accept an invitation from Prince William to become a working royal, however, she would receive public funding to carry out official duties representing the Crown.