Lady Louise Windsor may step up to royal duties once she has completed her studies, a royal expert has suggested.
The late Queen’s youngest granddaughter is currently studying English at the University of St Andrews, the same one that the Prince and Princess of Wales attended in the early 2000s.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams suggested that Lady Louise, who will turn 20 on November 8, may be in place to undergo royal duties – despite not originally being the plan for her future.
Lady Louise, who is Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie’s only daughter, remains largely out of the royal spotlight and only appears at the occasional event, such as the King’s Coronation back in May.
With the royal getting older, many have questioned whether she will be set to take on more royal duties – despite being 16th in line to the throne.
Mr Fitzwilliams added: “Louise is 20 [on November 8], studying English at St Andrews and keen on carriage driving, following in the footsteps of her grandfather Prince Philip.
“The plans for her future, as outlined by her mother, the Duchess of Edinburgh, in 2020, do not involve royal duties but this could change.”
Speaking of the possibility that the monarchy could be slimmed-down, Mr Fitzwilliams pointed out that this phrase is being “less frequently used” – suggesting that the royal could be set to step up.
He added that Lady Louise’s future as a working royal is “undoubtedly a possibility”, adding that “whilst she completes her studies without the undesirable media attention she would otherwise receive”.
Although he claims that Lady Louise could step up, Mr Fitzwilliams suggests that the same cannot be said for Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice.
He said: “Normally, Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, who carry out some charitable duties, would have been ideal to step in.
“However their official involvement, owing to their father’s disgrace, would be highly controversial.”
At the present time, only four of the working royals are under the age of 70 – the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Prince and Princess of Wales.
It was previously suggested as a potential future issue for Prince George, who is currently second-in-line to the throne.
Mr Fitzwilliams said: “It is absolutely clear that with only four working royals under 70, there will be fewer engagements carried out.
“This is not likely to change until [Prince] George and his siblings are able to perform royal duties, by which time several of them will have stood down owing to age.”
