As 18th in line to the throne and the niece of the King, all eyes are on Lady Louise Windsor's next steps.
However, Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie's daughter is pursuing life in private over becoming a working royal like her parents and is not expected to follow in their footsteps when the time comes.
"If there was a role for her, I think she would fulfil it brilliantly, a bit like Zara Tindall does at garden parties and Royal Ascot," Ailsa Anderson, former communications secretary to Queen Elizabeth II, tells HELLO!.
"She is dutiful, doesn’t make a fuss, is stoical, practical, and just gets on with it."
© Getty ImagesHowever, she added: "Lady Louise becoming a full-time working royal would also go against the grain of what the King wants in terms of a slimmed-down monarchy."
King Charles has famously "slimmed down" the monarchy since the start of his reign in 2022, with fewer active, working royals.
However, the group has been left stretched on occasion, following the departures of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, illnesses of the King and Princess of Wales, and reduced duties from ageing royals such as the Duke of Kent.
What is Lady Louise doing next?
Lady Louise is currently on a gap year completing her four-year English degree at the University of St Andrews.
Her future plans are unknown, although Ailsa said she "wouldn't be at all surprised" if she one day "explores a military role".
The 22-year-old has reportedly said on her LinkedIn page that she's interested in pursuing a career in "the military, diplomacy or law".
© Alamy Stock Photo"I don't ever envisage Louise being a full-time working royal, or even a part-time working royal," Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine, told us previously.
"She's a member of the royal family. She's the niece of the present King and will be the cousin of the future King. But I don't think she will play an active role in working royal life."
"I think she will continue to attend royal events," said Joe (Louise most notably joins the royal family at big occasions like Christmas and Trooping the Colour).
"But I don't see her undertaking her own engagements," he added. "I think she will very much do her own thing in the future."
King Charles's niece has previously embraced working life, taking on a part-time summer job at a garden centre for the minimum wage, as well as a role at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May.
Lady Louise and James's 'down-to-earth' upbringing
Lady Louise's down-to-earth nature is a result of her parents' efforts to give her and James as normal a life as possible, despite their royal status.
"We try to bring them up with the understanding they are very likely to have to work for a living," Sophie said in 2020. “Hence we made the decision not to use HRH titles. They [Louise and James] have them and can decide to use them from 18, but I think it’s highly unlikely."
© UK Press via Getty ImagesAside from family gatherings at Christmas and Easter, Lady Louise and James have made only occasional public appearances over the years, notably attending the Commonwealth Games with their parents in 2022 and Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in the same year.
This year, James, who recently began studying at the Royal Agricultural University, appeared at the Easter service in Windsor, Royal Ascot in June, and attended Harriet and Peter Phillips' royal wedding, though his sister was absent.
During her four years in St Andrews, Louise was able to live a completely normal life, without intrusion from the press or public, and hopes this will continue into her future.
