In a twist that has sparked considerable debate among royal watchers, Lady Louis, the daughter of Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, has been left without a new title following her father’s recent elevation to the Duke of Edinburgh.
This decision has ignited a wave of criticism, with many questioning the rationale behind the apparent oversight.
At just 19 years old, Lady Louis remains a lady, while her younger brother, James, has been granted the title of Earl of Wessex.
This discrepancy has not gone unnoticed, prompting fans to express their outrage on social media.
What’s behind this decision?
According to Dr. Craig Prescott, a constitutional law expert from Bangor University, the existing rules regarding royal titles are at play here.
They restrict Lady Louis from acquiring a new title due to her position in the line of succession.
While it is within the king’s power to bestow a title upon her, it appears that her parents are not inclined to pursue that path.
Richard Fitzwilliams, a veteran royal commentator, suggests that the lack of a new title for Lady Louis indicates her family’s intentions for her future.
It seems they do not plan for her to take on royal duties, a sentiment echoed by speculation about the shrinking number of royals expected to carry out public engagements.
Interestingly, Lady Louis is eligible to be called a princess, given her status as a male-line grandchild of the monarch.
Yet, her parents have opted not to grant her that title.
When Edward and Sophie wed in 1990, Buckingham Palace announced that their children would not receive the style of His or Her Royal Highness.
Instead, they would be known as the children of an Earl, which reflects a more modern approach to royal life.
Sophie has previously commented on this decision, emphasizing that they are raising their children with the understanding that they will need to earn a living.
In November 2021, Lady Louis turned 18 but chose not to adopt the title of princess.
She is currently pursuing her studies in English at St. Andrews University, having started her first year in September 2022.
In terms of the line of succession, Lady Louis ranks 15th, trailing her brother James, who occupies the 14th spot.
This situation arises from outdated rules favoring male heirs, despite the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act, which aimed to rectify gender inequality in royal succession.
Unfortunately, since Lady Louis was born before the cut-off date of October 28, 2011, she remains behind her younger brother.
Moreover, this change in the law also affected the Princess Royal, King Charles‘ sister, who now stands 16th in line, despite being older than both Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.
The ongoing discussions surrounding Lady Louis’ title have led many royal enthusiasts to voice their frustrations online.
Many feel it is unjust that her younger brother has received a more formal designation while she has been overlooked.
Some social media users have even urged Lady Louis to embrace her birthright and claim the title of princess.
On the flip side, there are voices calling for the royal family to modernize and shed antiquated traditions that no longer resonate with contemporary society.
Lady Louis tends to maintain a low profile, rarely appearing in public.
However, she has joined her parents at various royal functions, leaving many to wonder if she will eventually take on a more prominent role within the royal framework.
The question remains: will this young royal step into a more public life, or will she continue to navigate her path away from the spotlight?
As discussions swirl around this topic, one thing is clear: the royal family is under scrutiny, and the expectations of the public are evolving.
What are your thoughts on this situation?
The conversation is far from over, and it will be interesting to see how this unfolds in the coming months.