Lady Louise, Prince William’s cousin, has been a relatively unknown public presence in recent years, owing to her undergraduate studies in Scotland.
However, there is speculation that she may one day step in to help her cousin.
Lady Louise and her brother, James, Earl of Wessex, were reared by Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, with the assumption that they would follow careers away from the royal spotlight. But, according to former BBC royal commentator Jenny Bond, even if Lady Louise does not officially become a working royal, she may still be called upon to perform an important role.
“Edward and Sophie really want Louise and James to choose their own career paths. Sophie has said she raised them with the expectation that they would need to support themselves and build their own careers,” Jenny explained.
Currently, eleven members of the royal family perform formal duties, including King Charles and Queen Camilla. However, this figure may fall as more members elect to step down from their royal roles.
When Prince William becomes king, he may seek assistance from close family members without burdening them with the obligations and responsibilities of royal life.
If Prince William turns to Lady Louise for assistance, it would not be the first time non-working royals have stepped in to support the monarchy. Princess Beatrice represented King Charles at a textiles exhibition for the Royal Foundation in November 2024, while Princess Eugenie, Zara Tindall, and Beatrice accompanied Prince William to a Buckingham Palace garden party in May.
Prince William has expressed support for his cousins who do not hold official royal posts but assist him and the monarchy when necessary. Though 21-year-old Lady Louise may not be called upon for royal duties anytime soon, Jenny feels that she will become more publicly involved in addition to her personal career.
Jenny, a royal specialist, says that Louise may be enticed to join the military.
“Lady Louise has shown an early interest in military training during her university years, and in the photos, she’s fully immersed in her training, even masking her face and proudly wearing combat gear,” she told me.
“It’s said that she’s thoroughly enjoyed her training as an officer cadet and is determined to turn it into a full career,” the expert added. Whatever career Lady Louise chooses, she is expected to remain somewhat out of the royal public eye.
