Royal family updates: Lady Louise opts for privacy, King Charles’s charity engagements, and Duchess Sophie’s fashion influence

Lady Louise Windsor, elder daughter of Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, ranks lower in the line of succession than her younger brother, James, Earl of Wessex, due to a gender-based rule predating the Succession to the Crown Act 2013. This act, which came into effect too late for Louise, ensures succession based on birth order irrespective of gender, notably benefiting Princess Charlotte among others. Currently a student at the University of St Andrews, Lady Louise has chosen to relinquish her royal title and pursue a more private life, similar to her cousin Zara Tindall.

King Charles recently resumed his royal duties with a visit to the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre, where he affectionately wore a dinosaur-patterned tie, a gift from his grandson Prince Louis. During this visit, he briefly mentioned his own health, reassuring the public of his wellbeing. Additionally, King Charles and Queen Camilla have taken up new patronages including the Royal British Legion and the Jockey Club, aligning with significant royal commitments and charitable involvements.

Meanwhile, Duchess Sophie of Edinburgh was seen at the Windsor Horse Show dressed in a fashionable suede biker jacket from Harrods, paired with an a-line skirt. Her stylish appearance underscored her status as a fashion influencer within the royal family, reflecting a blend of contemporary and classic style, drawing parallels with Zara Tindall’s fashion choices. The popularity of her jacket, which quickly sold out, highlights her influence and the public’s interest in royal fashion trends.