Lady Louise Windsor, the late Queen's youngest granddaughter, has graduated from the University of St Andrews with a degree in English and international relations. The 22-year-old celebrated the milestone with her proud parents, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince Edward and Sophie, during a graduation ceremony on July 2, 2026.
Two official photographs were released to mark the occasion: one showing Lady Louise in her graduation robe holding her degree certificate, and another featuring her alongside her parents. Louise completed her degree after four years of study at the prestigious Scottish university.
Post-Graduation Plans and Awards
It is understood that Lady Louise is now planning to take a gap year, during which she will engage in a mix of working, volunteering, and travelling. The day after her graduation, she is set to receive her Duke of Edinburgh's (DofE) gold award from her father, Prince Edward, at a special celebration at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. This moment is particularly significant as it falls in the 70th anniversary year of the award's founding by her late grandfather, Prince Philip, and marks 40 years since her father became involved in supporting the youth adventure scheme.
Louise follows in the footsteps of her older cousin Prince William and his wife, Kate, who also graduated from the University of St Andrews. During her graduation, she took part in the university's traditional 'capping' ritual, watched on by her parents.
Royal Upbringing and Career Path
Lady Louise Alice Elizabeth Mary Mountbatten-Windsor was born prematurely in November 2003, weighing just 4lb 9oz. She and her younger brother, James, Earl of Wessex, have largely grown up away from the spotlight, shielded by their parents, Prince Edward and Sophie, while continuing their studies. Before university, Louise worked a summer job at a garden centre earning £6.83 an hour, and earlier this year, she helped organise the Royal Windsor Horse Show. She has attended major royal events, including the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, King Charles III's Coronation, and Trooping the Colour parades.
However, Louise and her brother are not expected to become working royals. Their mother, Sophie, previously stated: "We try to bring them up with the understanding they are very likely to have to work for a living. Hence, we made the decision not to use the HRH titles. They have them and can decide to use them from 18, but I think it's highly unlikely." Sophie also revealed that Louise is not on social media, adding: "I would hope that she can go on with her studies, which I think she probably will want to do, and I hope that she and her friends will protect her from anything that somebody might want to do. But I have to let her live her life."
Military Interest and Family Traditions
During her time at university, Louise joined the University Officer Training Corps. If she decides to pursue a career in the military, she would become the first female royal to do so since the late Queen, who served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service as a Junior Commander during the Second World War. Louise is also a keen carriage driver, continuing a family tradition started by her late grandfather, Prince Philip. In 2021, she made her public speaking debut in a documentary about Philip's life, saying: "The Duke of Edinburgh has been so involved in my driving, but it's slightly scary as he invented the sport pretty much. But it's incredible to have learned first-hand from him, and it definitely made us closer I think."
Louise is believed to be dating fellow student Felix da Silva-Clamp.
