Skip to main contentSkip to footer

Lady Louise Windsor: Why this was her most difficult birthday yet

Sophie Wessex's daughter has turned 19

lady louise solemn
Gemma Strong
Online Digital News Director
Share this:

Happy birthday to Lady Louise Windsor, who is celebrating her 19th birthday.

MORE: Countess Sophie's life-threatening birth with Lady Louise Windsor revealed

Lady Louise is the eldest child of Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex and the royal couple's only daughter.

WATCH: Everything you need to know about Lady Louise Windsor

The family are incredibly close and there’s no doubt Louise's proud parents would have pulled out all the stops to ensure she had a very special day.

READ: Did this royal break the rules during secret Strictly Come Dancing visit?

MORE: 10 special mother-daughter moments between Countess Sophie and Lady Louise

Nevertheless, the celebrations will be tinged with sadness. It is Louise's first birthday without her paternal grandparents.

lady louise smile© Photo: Getty Images

Lady Louise was especially close to her grandparents

Lady Louise was especially close to the Queen, who passed away in September, and with her grandfather, Prince Philip, who died in April last year.

READ: Lady Louise Windsor set for challenging university event - details

MORE: Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex's £30m home is one of the grandest royal residences

She will no doubt be remembering her beloved late family members as she marks her special day.

lady louise carriage© Photo: Getty Images

She inherited their love of equestrian events, namely carriage driving

Lady Louise famously inherited her grandparents' love of equestrian events. Following the death of Prince Philip, she led an emotional procession at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, poignantly driving his carriage.

READ: Lady Louise Windsor's upsetting accident at Windsor Castle

MORE: Lady Louise Windsor's elegant headband has surprising link to Princess Diana

The Queen looked solemn but proud of the then-18-year-old as she took part in the finale of the 'Gallop Through History' event.

wessex fa,ily© Photo: Getty Images

Lady Louise with brother James and their parents

The Wessexes's home, Bagshot Park, also meant that Lady Louise and her brother James were able to make regular visits to the Queen and Duke.

In a past interview with Sky News, their mother Sophie explained: "We're a lot more fortunate because we live so close to the Queen, so when she spends a lot of time at Windsor on the weekends, our children are more fortunate because they can go over and have tea with her on a regular basis."

READ: Sophie Wessex shares rare insight into 'confident' daughter Lady Louise Windsor

MORE: The Queen's granddaughter Lady Louise Windsor's new living quarters revealed

Sophie also previously revealed Louise's shock when she discovered how important her grandmother was.

queen duke of edinburgh 1z© Photo: Getty Images

The Queen sadly passed away on 8 September

During an interview with the BBC in 2016, she said: "It happened a little while ago. It was much more of a shock to the system," Sophie revealed at the time. "It was only when she was coming home from school and saying, 'Mummy, people keep on telling me that grandma is the Queen,' and I asked her, 'Yes, how does that make you feel?' And she said, 'I don't understand.'"

Sophie added: "I don't think she has grasped that perhaps there was only one Queen."

Make sure you never miss a ROYAL story! Sign up to The Royal Explainer newsletter to receive your weekly dose of royal features and other exclusive content straight to your inbox.

More Royalty

See more