Lady Louise Windsor ‘keen’ on army career to follow in late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II's footsteps
A female royal hasn't served in the army for 80 yearsLady Louise Windsor is reportedly keen to follow in her late grandmother’s footsteps with an army career.
The young royal – often dubbed the late Queen Elizabeth II’s ‘favourite grandchild’ – could make history and become the first female royal to serve in the armed forces since the queen.
Lady Louise Windsor ‘keen’ on army career
As part of her extracurricular activities at the University of St Andrews, Louise has joined the University Officer Training Corps (UOTC).
The 21-year-old will reportedly be undertaking Reserve Officer modules designed to fit around her degree.
These modules will teach her everything from how to wear a uniform correctly to how to lead others in stressful situations.
Louise has loved every minute of being a member of the officer cadets at university.
As well as this, she will reportedly be taking basic weapon lessons, leadership lessons, and undertaking courses in navigating tough terrain under pressure.
A source has told The Sun: “Louise has loved every minute of being a member of the officer cadets at university. She’s received basic Army officer training and is more determined than ever to serve King and country in the future.
“She fitted the officer training corps around her studies and has benefited hugely from the skills that she’s been taught.”
The Ministry of Defence added: “The UOTC provides a standard of experience and training that’s well respected within the Army.”
Royal Insider has contacted reps for Buckingham Palace for comment.
Queen Elizabeth II in the army
In pictures obtained by the publication, Louise – who is 16th in line to the throne – has her face painted in camo colours and can be seen carrying a helmet with “Windsor” stamped on it.
If Lady Louise were to serve in the army, she would become the first female royal to do so since her late grandmother, the queen.
The queen, back when she was Princess Elizabeth, served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service as a subaltern in 1945. She learned to drive and maintain vehicles during her five months in the army.
Lady Louise isn’t the only one of the queen’s grandchildren to join the army.
Prince William completed a 44-week training course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He was commissioned as an army officer in 2006.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry was in the army for 10 years, completing two operational tours of Afghanistan during his time serving.
Lady Louise tipped to become working royal in the future
In other Louise news, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams has speculated that she could become a working royal in the future.
Speaking exclusively to Royal Insider, he said: “Unlike most other European monarchies, the British monarchy is unique in its profile and in its influence. There are, however, only four working royals under 70.
“Although their parents did not plan for them to carry out royal engagements or have the HRH title, Lady Louise Windsor, currently a student at St Andrews and her brother James, Viscount Severn might in future do so,” he then continued.
“It would certainly be very helpful to The Firm if they did.”
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