Lady Louise Windsor proved that carriage driving skills run in the family on Sunday as she took centre stage at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
The 22-year-old daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh was reminiscent of her late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, as she expertly navigated the International Carriage Driving Competition at Home Park.
Lady Louise Windsor drives a carriage during the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Windsor (PA Images via Getty Images)
Just like her grandmother
Princess Elizabeth and Margaret in driving class at Windsor (Alamy Stock Photo)
The late monarch, who passed away in 2022, famously adored horses and was seen driving a carriage on a handful of occasions, including alongside her sister, Princess Margaret, and solo in her great-grandmother Queen Alexandra’s carriage, in the grounds of Windsor Castle in 1944.
The Duchess of Edinburgh supported her daughter at the Royal Windsor Horse Show (PA Images via Getty Images)
Joining Lady Louise, who is currently completing the final year of her English degree at the University of St Andrews, was her mother. Duchess Sophie, 61, also rode in a carriage while wearing an unexpected midnight blue ensemble featuring a top hat.
Working royal
The royal made her father laugh (Alamy Stock Photo)
Despite her royal status, Lady Louise is reportedly working at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in the capacity of a chief organiser. On Saturday, she was seen lightheartedly directing her parents, who stood behind a metal barrier, while sporting a yellow high-vis vest. Later, she swapped the vest for a fleece gilet with ‘CAI Official’ emblazoned on the back.
Lady Louise Windsor is working as an official during the International Carriage Driving Competition (Getty Images)
The initials ‘CAI’ stand for Concours d’Attelage International (International Driving Competition). A source told us that Lady Louise previously requested a job in the offices during her university summer holidays and was “very polite and helpful” as she was put to work doing administrative tasks, such as sealing envelopes.
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Lady Louise Windsor put her carriage-driving skills on full display on Sunday (Alamy Stock Photo)
The insider told us: “Duchess Sophie and Prince Edward provided Lady Louise and her brother James with as normal an upbringing as possible, and this is clearly reflected in her work ethic.
“She is very grounded and down-to-earth; you wouldn’t know she was a royal. It was her idea to ask for a part-time job. She’s very hard-working,” they added. Alongside her studies, Lady Louise keeps a busy schedule, including being involved in the theatre scene up in St Andrews and joining the University Officers’ Training Corps as a cadet.
Centre stage
Lady Louise made time to compete amid her part-time work (PA Images via Getty Images)
On Sunday, the young royal dressed up for the occasion, sporting a khaki tweed blazer, tan fedora hat, and textured riding gloves. She was all smiles, clearly in her element in the driving seat.