Lady Louise Windsor, the 20-year-old daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, is making strides in her university life with a level of privacy that contrasts sharply with her cousin Prince William's high-profile attendance at the same institution two decades ago. Studying at the University of St Andrews-famously known for being where Prince William met Princess Kate-Louise has managed to fly under the radar, without the need for formal agreements to protect her privacy, something her cousin once relied on.
Prince William's arrival at St Andrews in 2001 was met with a media frenzy, drawing large crowds and significant press attention. In response to the intense public interest in the future king, Sir Michael Peat, the then-private secretary to King Charles, brokered an agreement with newspaper editors. In exchange for respecting William's privacy during his studies, the press would receive scheduled updates, allowing the young royal to navigate university life with a degree of normalcy.
In stark contrast, Lady Louise, the niece of King Charles III, has not faced the same media onslaught. According to PR expert Luana Ribeira, who spoke to GB News, the absence of a formal press agreement for Lady Louise highlights the different public appetite for coverage between the two royals. "St Andrews is well versed in navigating the realities of having a royal student," Ribeira explained. "When Prince William attended, his profile was significantly higher, and the university had to manage that. But for Lady Louise, there is far less press interest."
Ribeira noted that while William's time at university required constant negotiation with the media to maintain a balance between privacy and public curiosity, such measures are unnecessary for Louise. "It is unlikely a formal agreement like this is necessary for Lady Louise as there is less press interest in her than her older cousin," she added. This reduced level of attention has allowed the young royal to enjoy a more traditional university experience, avoiding the spotlight that has often accompanied other members of her family.
One contributing factor to Lady Louise's relatively private university life is her careful choice of friends and her decision to avoid situations likely to attract unwanted attention. "I imagine Lady Louise probably chooses her friends carefully and avoids situations which are likely to attract unwanted attention," Ribeira said, further emphasizing how the young royal has managed to maintain a low profile despite her connections to the British monarchy.
In addition to her academic endeavors, Lady Louise has joined the Officers' Training Corps (UOTC) at St Andrews, a step that signals her potential future career aspirations. It has been widely speculated that Louise is interested in pursuing a career in the military, diplomacy, or law. This ambition has led to discussions about her possibly becoming the first female royal to serve in the British military since her late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Lady Louise's decision to join the UOTC and her academic pursuits at St Andrews showcase her determination to forge her own path. Unlike Prince William, whose every move was meticulously followed by the media during his university years, Louise has been able to engage in her studies with far fewer distractions. Her time at university is seen as an important step in her personal development, as she navigates the balance between being a young adult and a member of the royal family.
Despite the reduced media attention, Louise's choices and career ambitions have not gone unnoticed. Many royal watchers are keen to see how her role within the monarchy will evolve in the coming years, particularly as discussions around younger royals taking on more responsibilities continue.
Louise's enrollment at St Andrews brings her closer to the royal legacy shaped by her cousin Prince William and his now-wife Kate Middleton, who famously met during their time at the same university. However, the stark contrast between the public attention surrounding William's experience and Louise's quieter journey through university life underscores how the media's focus on the royal family has shifted over the years.
