Lady Louise Windsor keeps Prince Philip’s carriage-driving legacy alive

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Lady Louise Windsor is keeping her grandfather’s love of carriage driving alive, competing in the final meet of the season over the weekend.

The 22-year-old, the daughter of Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, was photographed at Windsor Great Park on Sunday 4 October.

Lady Louise was photographed driving herself to the event, and was then joined by her mother, who was on foot.

The family live near Windsor, at Bagshot Park.

Lady Louise began riding horses at a young age, like many royals, including her late grandmother Queen Elizabeth and her aunt Princess Anne.

Her passion for carriage driving comes from her late grandfather, Prince Philip, a long-time supporter of the sport who also played polo until 2003.

He is credited with helping to popularise the sport in the UK and continued to compete into his 90s.

When he died, aged 99, in April 2021, he left Lady Louise his driving carriage and horses.

Louise was seen driving one of his beloved Fell ponies, Balmoral Bertie, at the National British Carriage Driving Championships in September.

The University of St Andrews graduate spoke about her grandfather’s equestrian legacy in a documentary following his death.

“The Duke of Edinburgh has been so involved in my driving, which has been so lovely although slightly scary because he invented the sport pretty much. It’s incredible to have learned first-hand from him,” she said.

“After a competition, he would always ask how it went. His eyes would light up because he just gets so excited when he talks about it.

“When we would go carriage driving, he would take me on a different route every day. I do not know how he managed to do that, and tell me all sorts of anecdotes about anything and everything.

“He is honestly one of the most interesting people I have ever met.”

Lady Louise graduated in July and is now taking a gap year.

She earlier said that she intends to combine work, volunteering, and travel before exploring her future career paths.

The young royal is 18th in line to the throne, behind her younger brother James, the Earl of Wessex.

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