Why isn't Lady Louise a Princess, and will the young royal's title change following Queen Elizabeth II's death?

Many royals have new titles following the death of the Queen, but it's unlikely Lady Louise's will change. Here's why...

Lady Louise Windsor attends a National Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul's Cathedral on June 3, 2022 in London, England. The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II is being celebrated from June 2 to June 5, 2022, in the UK and Commonwealth to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952.
(Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Lady Louise Windsor isn't a Princess unlike two of The Queen's other granddaughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Here's the interesting reason why she isn't a Princess - even though she could be. 

  • Lady Louise Windsor is the daughter of Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex
  • Although she isn't a Princess at the moment, this could all change
  • In other Royal news, we break down the Royal Family's new titles as Charles becomes King.

Lady Louise Windsor and her brother James, Viscount Severn are the youngest of the Queen’s grandchildren, but unlike some of their cousins they do not use the titles of HRH Prince or Princess.

Lady Louise

(Image credit: Getty)

As the granddaughter of the Queen via her youngest son Prince Edward, Lady Louise could become a Princess one day. The reason for this is the historical Letters Patent issued back in 1917 which is still honored today. This regulation states that a princely status and the title of Royal Highness is given to all male-line grandchildren of a monarch. In other words, sons of the reigning monarch are able to father little Princes and Princesses.

Despite this honor being a birthright, when Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex were married, Buckingham Palace released a statement that said any of their children would gain the titles reserved for children of an Earl. Some suggested that this could all change when Lady Louise celebrated her 18th birthday on November 8, 2021 but this wasn't the case.

lady louise paying respects to queen elizabeth ii

(Image credit: Getty)

After Queen Elizabeth II’s death aged 96 at Balmoral Castle on September 8, 2022, the Royal Family will undergo many changes - the obvious being King Charles III sitting on the throne. However, other royals' titles will also change - which may include Lady Louise's father Prince Edward.

HELLO!reports that Buckingham Palace previously said, on the marriage of Sophie Wessex and Prince Edward, "The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, and Prince of Wales have also agreed that Prince Edward should be given the dukedom of Edinburgh in due course when the present title now held by Prince Philip eventually reverts to the Crown." In other words, Prince Edward could become the Duke of Edinburgh after his mother's death - but that's up to King Charles.

The Royal Family Attend The Easter Church Service At St George'S Chapel, Windsor CastlePicture Shows; Queen Elizabeth Ii,Princess Eugenie,Lady Louise Windsor And Sophie Countess Of Wessex And Prince Philip .

(Image credit: Antony Jones/UK Press/Getty Images)

If the Prince becomes the Duke of Edinburgh, however, Lady Louise's title would remain the same - unless she decides otherwise. This isn't likely, claims her mother Sophie, who's spoken openly about bringing her children up, "with the understanding they are very likely to have to work for a living."

Speaking in an interview with the Sunday Times, the Countess of Wessex explained, “Hence we made the decision not to use HRH titles. They have them and can decide to use them from 18, but I think it’s highly unlikely.”

Countess Sophie has pointed out before that Lady Louise is, "a lot more fortunate," than her cousins, owing to her ability to choose. The Countess appears to know her daughter well as after turning 18, the young royal hasn't chosen to use HRH and is seemingly content with her life as is. 

Aoife Hanna
Junior News Editor

Aoife is an Irish journalist and writer with a background in creative writing, comedy, and TV production.

Formerly woman&home's junior news editor and a contributing writer at Bustle, her words can be found in the Metro, Huffpost, Delicious, Imperica and EVOKE.

Her poetry features in the Queer Life, Queer Love anthology.

Outside of work you might bump into her at a garden center, charity shop, yoga studio, lifting heavy weights, or (most likely) supping/eating some sort of delicious drink/meal.