In November 2003, the British royal family welcomed their first child, Lady Louise Windsor, who holds a significant place in history as the first royal to be given the surname Mountbatten-Windsor at birth. This hyphenated surname, combining Windsor, the traditional royal family name, and Mountbatten, the surname of Prince Philip, was adopted in 1960 to reflect the Queen’s marriage to Philip. Notably, Lady Louise’s birth marked the first time the new surname was used for a royal family member.
Lady Louise was born by emergency caesarean section at 11.32pm on Saturday, November 8, weighing 4lbs 9oz. The official announcement stated that both Her Royal Highness and her daughter were stable. As a precautionary measure, the baby was taken to the regional neonatal unit at St George’s Hospital, Tooting.
While Lady Louise and her brother were given HRH titles at birth, which they could choose to use at age 18, Louise has opted not to do so. She is currently a student at the University of St Andrews and has been noticeably absent from recent royal events, likely due to her academic commitments.
Lady Louise’s brother, James, Earl of Wessex, who attended a recent church service without her, sported a quirky pale blue tie with white rabbits, while their father, the Duke of Edinburgh, wore a navy tie with bright pink chicks. Meanwhile, Sophie, their mother, wore a vibrant purple Prada coat and a cream beret-style fascinator, demonstrating her reputation for outfit recycling.
Lady Louise’s birth marked a significant milestone in British royal history, and her life and choices continue to garner attention and interest.
