Lady Louise Windsor has officially graduated from the University of St Andrews – and her parents couldn't be prouder.
The young royal, who is King Charles's niece, beamed alongside Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie in her graduation portraits, taken at the University House following the ceremony on Thursday.
Wearing the university's official hooded graduation gown and white shirt, 22-year-old Louise looked poised and professional as she held a scroll and posed for the camera. In a second photo, her parents stood on either side of her, looking incredibly proud in the intimate family portrait.
Like her mother, Duchess Sophie, Lady Louise also appeared to have cut her hair for the occasion, with her blonde locks in a shorter style than usual.
© University of St AndrewsShe has been studying for a degree in English at the Scottish institution for the past four years and has now wrapped up her studies.
The royal family sent their best wishes with a post on the monarchy’s official social media, reading: "Congratulations to Lady Louise on her graduation from St Andrews University!"
According to the St Andrews website, graduands must wear formal academic dress for the ceremony, such as a dark skirt or trouser suit with a white blouse and dark shoes. Kilts are also permitted.
Earlier on Thursday, Louise was spotted alongside her rarely-seen boyfriend, Felix da Silva-Clamp, who also studies at the university.
Lady Louise, who is 17th in line to the throne, also has a younger brother, James, Earl of Wessex, though he was not seen at the occasion.
The rest of the royal family – aside from the Princess of Wales, who is at Wimbledon – are in Scotland for Royal Week, so they'll likely have passed on their congratulations!
What will Lady Louise do next after graduating St Andrews?
It is understood she will now be taking a gap year, working, volunteering, and travelling.
It's unknown what her career plans will be afterwards. However, former royal press secretary Aisla Anderson previously speculated on HELLO!'s A Right Royal Podcast that she could go into the "military", following in the footsteps of her late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
© Getty ImagesLady Louise has reportedly said on her LinkedIn page that she's interested in pursuing a career in "the military, diplomacy or law".
She is expected to carve out her own path instead of taking on royal duties, and, like her brother James, hasn't switched to using HRH titles in adulthood.
On Friday, she will receive her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award from her father, Edward, who is the Duke of Edinburgh, at a special celebration at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
The celebration is particularly special as this year marks the 70th anniversary of the award, which was founded by her late grandfather, Prince Philip, the then-Duke of Edinburgh.
© WireImage2026 also marks 40 years of Prince Edward’s involvement in the award, which empowers young people to reach their full potential.
St Andrews is famously where Prince William and Kate met back in 2001 as fellow students.
Lady Louise's exciting time at university
Lady Louise often shies away from the spotlight and has enjoyed her studies at university in a private capacity.
In Scotland, a four-year course is standard, so she's had plenty of time to enjoy university life, including joining the University Officers' Training Corps (UOTC).
© UK Press via Getty ImagesLike Prince Edward, she is also passionate about the arts. She has appeared in several student productions on campus, and according to St Andrews' student newspaper, she played a "powerful and cynical witch" Nilvana in a play called Dragon Theatre in January 2024.
Her course is known to be academically rigorous with entry requirements of AAA at A-level, though Louise's exact grades are unknown.
In May, HELLO! revealed that Lady Louise had taken on a part-time job at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire.
Growing up away from the spotlight
Lady Louise Alice Elizabeth Mary Mountbatten-Windsor was born prematurely in November 2003, weighing just 4lb 9oz.
Her mother, Sophie, was rushed to hospital at eight months’ pregnant with severe internal pains and doctors found she was dangerously ill from blood loss, and performed an emergency Caesarean.
Newborn Louise was transferred to St George’s Hospital in Tooting, London, for specialist care while the duchess remained at Frimley Park Hospital near their Bagshot Park home. They were separated for six days.
The late Prince Philip taught his granddaughter how to drive a carriage and she has often been seen competing in the sport at the annual Royal Windsor Horse Show.
When she was born, Lady Louise, as the daughter of the son of the then-sovereign Queen Elizabeth II, was entitled to be known as HRH Princess Louise.
But Edward and Sophie decided against this, choosing the courtesy titles of a child of an earl for their daughter and son instead.
