The Earl and Countess of Wessex continue to be incredibly desperate. They’ve both gone on what amounts to a Grief Tour, where they’ve given multiple interviews about how great they are, how much they’re grieving for Prince Philip, how close they were to Philip, how close they are to the Queen, and how no one in the UK knows Oprah. Sophie in particular has wanted to push herself as some kind of replacement for the Duchess of Sussex. She wants to be some kind of full-time working royal who gets a lot of money from the Sovereign Grant, one would assume. It definitely feels like they’re both pushing some kind of narrative that they could be indispensable and beloved.
So just how far will they go? I’ve been wondering about this for months, and it definitely seems to be happening: Sophie and Edward are absolutely pushing their daughter Lady Louise into the spotlight, and to position herself as the next exciting young royal. Lady Louise is seventeen years old and she strikes me as a very “young” seventeen at that. This is not some streetwise kid – everything about her vibe and demeanor seems very sheltered. Her parents pushed her to try carriage-driving with Prince Philip and apparently she liked it and he taught her how to carriage drive herself. Sophie and Edward have made it sound like Philip and Louise were very fond of each other.
Why am I bringing this up? Because Sophie and Edward brought Sophie to the Royal Windsor Horse Show over the weekend and the British tabloids were full of stories about Lady Louise and how she “stole the show” with her “ultra-chic makeover.” There was even some talk about whether Louise wore her grandfather’s old blazer, but no, hers was just an oversized piece from Zara. She also carried a $1000 Chloe handbag. I really hate that her parents are putting her out there, honestly. Let Louise be a kid and figure out her sh-t without her stage-mother using her at a desperate stab for relevancy.
Photos courtesy of Backgrid.
She seems like a nice girl and I hope for her sake this kind of story will go the way the stories about Will/Kate/Charles/Camilla being the new “Fab Four” did…which is nowhere.
She does not need that.
She’s a pretty girl, so it may just work. For Sophie and Edward, not Louise. The Wessexes are desperate—desperate for $$$.
She really does seem very sweet, and I hope they just let her be.
Sophie. Leave Louise alone.
Everyone – leave Louise alone.
Poor baby. She seems nice and unassuming, so I don’t understand the thrust into the limelight. I hope to God the tabloids go easy on her.
Oh come on, you know they won’t. Sophie doesn’t seem to realize (or care?) that she’s setting her daughter up to be the next victim to provide cover for William and Kate. Fast forward 3-4 years, I bet Louise’s life will be all over the tabloids. Sophie thinks she will be able to control the media around her daughter.
Her outfit is worrisome. The fact that the press is highlighting her “ultra chic makeover” makes it sound like a talking point, and that makes me think someone forced her to wear this sloppy, clashing mess.
Don’t do this to her. It’s cruel.
@ GRUEY, I was scrolling down for the chic makeover..that’s her makeover? That’s chic to them? She looks horribly dressed and nothing fits her properly. And look at her hair! I dress more chic going to the dentist than she does!
And what awful parents she has!! Sophie is utterly desperate to be pushing her minor child out to the wolves as they will certainly turn on her. As soon as she becomes a threat to lazy Keen, she will be sacrificed!
Why an I getting a Fergie 2.0 feeling about her actions?
Until I saw the trousers I thought it might be school uniform, with a prefect badge on the lapel. But no, it’s worse than school uniform. Hypothesis: Sophie’s got some jealous Mommie Dearest thing going on, and is deliberately dressing Sophie badly so that the younger model doesn’t outshine her. Hope Sophie gets to spend a few years at university, out of the spotlight.
@GRUEY l was thinking the same what makeover? Please leave the girl alone, she is not charismatic and is bland like her parents. Like @Lady D said she soon will provide cover for the Cambridge.
Not a makeover… either she’s deliberately dressing down because she doesn’t like the spotlight, or mum is for some reason purposefully dressing her like a fifty-something going to their job as manager of a luggage shop.
I think she’s just a young lady who’s not into fashion but her mom’s got the rota on speed dial and wants the girl to be seen as some kind of fashion plate. If Sophie can’t be the next Diana or Meghan, she’s going to push her daughter to be and then live vicariously through her.
Her outfit is not that bad. We are so used to seeing teenagers dressing as if they are *all* influencers and that simply isn’t true.
It took me awhile to learn my personal style, definitely later than my peers.
@Gruey – worrisome…are you kidding? She’s doing her own thing and her parents are allowing her that privilege instead of forcing her to be a fashionista. Her mother isn’t forcing her to dress like a dowager, she’s letting her dress her way. If that doesn’t conform to what the fashion world thinks, too fecking bad. What’s “cruel” about this is all the humiliating comments people here are making about her.
Bothsidesnow why should her hair be to your satisfaction? I don’t straighten my hair and it is probably dreadful to you. I find that comment offensive. Hair is no one’s business. My hair is natural. If she was african american, would you discuss her terrible hair? I think not.
I can’t tell whether this is Sophie pushing her into the limelight and trying to make her daughter the next big thing or whether this is just the press grabbing hold of anything they can make into a story.
Sophie certainly does seem desperate for the limelight now, although I don’t think the Oprah comment was anything more than misinterpreted sarcasm.
“I can’t tell whether this is Sophie pushing her into the limelight and trying to make her daughter the next big thing or whether this is just the press grabbing hold of anything they can make into a story.”
It could be a little bit of both, honestly. Sophie pushing enough for the press to have something to grab onto. Unfortunately, this is probably going to blow up in Sophie’s face and not the outcome she thinks it will be.
Both. Louise’s cousins are all middle-aged and married, and their children will be too young to generate standard tabloid fodder for at least a decade. The tabloids will need a royal next big thing, and Sophie is trying to promote Louise to fill that void. Based on the experiences her cousins had with the media as young adults, I don’t believe that will be in Louise’s best interest.
I disagree, we rarely see her or her brother.
Sophie and Edward didnt “push” her, she grew up around horses and probably got into carriage driving.
There are always pictures of the family in the Windsor horse show, she’s growing up and it’s sadly normal o have tons of attention on a young woman.
@ Morgane : I think all the younger royals have to “sing for their supper” eventually. And that applies in every royal family. In Monaco, Gabriella and Jacques get shown out on the balcony and are in the Christmas cards. Charlene is still in Africa, so Caroline’s daughter Charlotte was brought out for a recent event with her uncle Prince Albert. Family vacation photos are something that they do all across Europe – skiing, sailing, bike riding. Louise is simply at a “suitable age” to have more attention focused on her as she grows up and her life becomes more interesting. She is the next one down in age after the York princesses. Then James and then the great-grandchildren as they grow older (hit their teens).
Not to be mean but her mum should allow her to dress herself cos she always looks a mess and too old for her age
@ Osty : She reminds me of her aunt Princess Anne is these photos. And Anne never really cared about fashion – her hair has always been long and she always seemed dressed for a weekend in the country.
Maybe she DID dress herself, she’s 17, not 5. All these derogatory comments about her looks makes me furious. Do you all not understand that she’s at a vulnerable age where hurtful things said about her sink in? No she’s not skinny, fashionable and overly made-up. She’s a natural, refreshing young woman who doesn’t ascribe to the norms of “fashion”. Good for her. I hope she keeps it up.
Hear, hear.
Couldn’t agree more, @Jaded!
Maybe Sophie thinks if Louise is exciting enough, there’ll be public demand to make her a working royal hence she (and by extension the rest of the Wessexes) gets money but I don’t see that happening tbh.
Let her continue to grow up and be a private citizen.
Lady louise and her brother will never be senior working royals so for their sake it will probably be best if they grow up far away from the british tabloids. However, i don’t think this was anything more that a girl who loves horses visiting a horse show with her parents.
The press is desperate for fresh meat to they peddled a few stories about louise this weekend to see if it would garner any attention. I don’t think it did.
I agree with you Pao. Also, I think Philip left the carriage to Louise in his will.
They are not royal. When Edward got married, the Queen ordered, in writing, that any kids they have “shall not be given the style or His or Her Royal Highness” but would only receive courtesy titles as children of an Earl.
I think that’s why Sophie is pushing so hard now — she needs the Queen to grant Louise and James the “HRH” title before she dies, to make them royal. Because I highly doubt Charles will do so. The other option is to wait until Charles dies and William is on the throne, but that could be 20 years away.
Did she actually legally remove their HRHs for life (like through a letters patent) or was it more of a “for the time being until they turn 18”? Because the latter is what’s happening and what’s been said I believe. They’re legally still HRH’s but they just don’t use them until they’re 18 and then they can decide if they want to use them
Thats not accurate. Louise and her bother can use the HRH but their parents have elected for them not to at least until they are 18. But similar to Lili and Archie I think there will be a lot of pressure for them not to ever use it.
It was part of the Queen’s decision when she gave Edward his Earldom: “The Queen has also decided . . . that any children they might have should not be given the style His or Her Royal Highness.” I am posting a link. The queen’s written decree says nothing about them turning 18.
(https://web.archive.org/web/20080626060008/http://nds.coi.gov.uk:80/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=28257&NewsAreaID=2)
Of course, the Queen, at any time, can change her mind and give Louise and James the HRH title and make them royals. But as far as I am aware (and I have searched), there is nothing in writing from the palace. When people tell me I am mistaken and James and Louise are royal, I ask for something (anything) in writing from the queen or the palace that over-rules her earlier decision, but nobody has ever posted that information. And I AM open-minded about it, I won’t care strongly either way whether the queen gives them HRH status or not (though I am *mildly* opposed, because I think the monarchy shouldn’t exist at all). It’s not that I’m in denial, I just haven’t found anything Elizabeth issued subsequently that would make them royal.
@mrskrabapple I think the release only referred to their original styles as it didn’t make reference to them eventually becoming the children of a Duke either. Sophie addressed it in 2020 saying it’s highly unlikely they’d take an HEH but they could at 18. It’s been quoted in other articles since but I think it all goes back to that original article. https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/1449813/sophie-countess-of-wessex-children-titles-louise-james-news
I get that SOPHIE is saying they are HRH, but Sophie has no authority to bestow that title on her kids, only the monarch can. Maybe Elizabeth promised Sophie *privately* that she will bestow the HRH title on the kids when they turn 18? But again, there was nothing put out by the queen or palace that says so, and I am going by what was stated officially by the queen. Anything else is Sophie’s wishful thinking, until it *actually* happens.
As for children of Duke, that is a little different. Edward was an “HRH” Prince, and made an Earl, when the written edict was published, which was also prior to the birth of any of his children. Thus, the queen had to address the titles that would otherwise *automatically* attach to the children as soon as they are born. She did that by saying “yes” to the Earl titles, and “no” to the HRH titles. But at the time, Edward becoming a Duke was only speculative (and still is). What will MOST LIKELY happen, is the queen will die before Charles and Edward. When that happens, Charles becomes king, and his Edinburgh Dukedom (which he inherited when Philip died) will then merge with the crown. At the point, Charles will be free to bestow the Dukedom on Edward. But again, that hasn’t happened yet, so there was no “style as the children of a Duke” to give to Edward’s kids.
I don’t know if this helps or makes things more convoluted……..
https://royalcentral.co.uk/uk/why-prince-edwards-children-are-not-titled-prince-and-princess-103666/
Louise has the same kind of English/Scottish hair as me and there’s no taming that fluff! I like that she’s just rocking the natural whisps that sprout out all over the sides. Make it the new fashion please!
Mine too. I’m American so I didn’t know it was an English/Scottish thing (though I definitely have some of that lineage). It I can’t get rid of cowlicks to save my life.
Me, too! I didn’t know it was English/Scottish, but that definitely tracks with my heritage. If anything comes out of Louise’s time in the limelight, let it be the return of frizz wisps!
My sister and I both have those wisps of hair at the sides, though we don’t have any scot/english ancestry (just celtic). I’ve found that hydrating hair maks and lowpoo does the trick and my hair is not easier to tame.
I have those too! Didn’t realize that’s where it comes from.
Oh I feel your pain. It’s particularly humid in Pittsburgh. My head is a big frizzball
I keep my hair short to avoid all of these things.
Me too, and I come from an English/Irish background. When I was a teenager in the sixties cool hair was long, straight and smooth. I, on the other hand, was mercilessly teased for my uncontrollable hair. Then the hippy era came in and suddenly I had the coolest hair that everyone admired!
Is that where it comes from? I have this sh!tty hair, too, I guess from English grandpa. It was manageable for a long time in my dry climate, but we’re having a very humid summer, and I look (and feel) deranged. I can feel it growing (in bigness, not length) over the course of the day.
“Chic makeover”? I find the outfit very drab and frumpy. I don’t really have a dog in the Royals fight but this seems a bit much.
It’s her face mask in her hand.
Compared to how she’s dressed Louise up till now, this IS “fashion forward” lol. But yes…it’s still an ill-fitting mess.
Hey…why doesn’t our KKKeen KKKween-in-waiting KHate share some of those phone numbers for fashion designers with her aunt and cousin in law?
Seriously. The girl is 17 and they’ve dressed her like 40-year-old.
And what’s weird to me is that I think Sophie looks pretty good.
Louise definitely looks like she is wearing clothes of a 50 year old woman. Maybe the clothes belong to her mother????
I think Sophie looks great here too. I’m also a hat person and I love hers.
I hope they leave Louise out of the machine.
Most times Louise wears her mother’s clothes which always look too big for her
The “ultra chic makeover” comment was a nasty remark. It was not meant at all be kind. This does not bode well for her.
either the press will continue to be snide or her parents will force her to change who she is and “glow up” for the press.
She’s a perfectly lovely girl, but if this is the styling (and i’m only talking about hair style and these drabby clothes) we have to expect from this “makeover” then it’s over before it even began lol.
(Also what is that thing coming out of her sleeve?)
She has her mask around her wrist.
“ultra-chic makeover”?!?! I’m not trying to be a bitch, but she looks younger then 17, geeky…not that there’s anything wrong with that. I’m speaking as someone who was scrawny and looked younger for my age when I was in my pre-teens/teens 😕
She definitely has a kid vibe to her. If you told me she was 13 I’d probably believe you. It’s sad that she’s being pushed like this. And super desperate.
I truly wish her the best. It can’t be easy growing up in that environment and under so much scrutiny that’s sure to come.
I think she genuinely enjoy being at this kind of event, I don’t think she’s being intentionally pushed into the limelight it’s just she’s at the age where there can be a genuine interest for her. The whole thing with Philip is definitely from Sophie though.
She doesn’t seem like the type of teenager that hold attention of the public so these kind if stories won’t get much traction.
They are DEFINITELY pushing her out there. I think Sofiesta wants to make Louise a “thing” as much as she wants to be one herself. And it’s definitely to make a grab for a chunk of that SG money.
We’ve seen more of Louise in this last year than we have of her in her entire life (with the pics of her carriage riding on the Windsor grounds). And yes, she *does* seem VERY young for her age, and I’m *sure* she’s lead a very sheltered life; her mother wouldn’t even let her dress age appropriately up until very recently! IMO, Louise doesn’t look very comfortable being in the “eye of the lens”.
that’s not true, there have been pictures of louise riding in windsor for a long time and that’s pretty much all the pictures we have of her apart from christmas, trooping of the colour, horse shows. the media loves young people
Just because she doesn’t dress like a tik tok star who looks 35 at 17 doesn’t mean she’s young for her age. This is exactly what all kinds of normal 17 year olds look like. Since I don’t think we’ve ever really heard her talk who knows whether she is emotionally mature or not, but I don’t think we can base that of the way that she dresses. Maybe Sophie is overprotective, maybe not. We really have no idea.
I see no makeover here. She is just a young woman learning, growing and finding her way. They should let her be. There’s no need to be damaged by all the royal drama.
If they can afford $1,000 handbags, maybe they don’t need the Sovereign Grant. And I’m not sure about the “chic makeover” – there’s a difference between “oversized” and “too big.”
I disagree with all of the above…I don’t think Sophie and Edward are pushing to be relevant—they’re just picking up the slack since H&M left…after all, The Firm is playing two players short. Louise is adorable, but that oversized jacket and ill-fitting pants are giving me pangs of a bad attempt at an Annie Hall/Diane Keaton inspired look.
They *are* pushing to be relevant. They aren’t picking up slack by talking about Oprah being irrelevant and other nonsense. They leaked stories about how “delighted” they are that they are in the running to be part of Charles’s slimmed down monarchy. There’s a reason Sophie appears in the press dabbing at her eyes talking about how this is all what Philip would have wanted.
As for Louise, this may not be their doing, but I would not put it past them. And that poor girl doesn’t need or deserve that.
The Windsors and the RRs are in some desperate need for young blood. It looks like she’s the only option.
I’m not sure what chic make over they are talking about. Her clothes are too big and it doesn’t look like she’s even wearing makeup. I don’t get the impression she’s keen to be pushed into the spotlight. I think the RRs are trying to force something to happen.
So if the tabloids go hard against her (I hope not), will her father just say we’ve all been through it? Like his response to the H&M coverage.
They seem to fawn all over the white royals since Meghan became their scapegoat.
What’s on her left hand, is that just a shirt that’s too long on one arm?
It’s her face mask.
Thanks. It was bothering me.
I don’t know if Sophie is trying to push her into the limelight or if the press is just desperate for any new blood, so to speak, and the youngest granddaughter of the Queen could be that new blood, especially as she gets older and starts going out more without her parents etc. in other words, how much of this is Sophie and how much of this is the press just trying to remind people who she is so when she makes a mistake after being out with friends or whatever (as many of us did at that age) the press can make a meal out of it? setting her up to fail basically .
Sophie is definitely trying to push Sophie into the limelight though
That could be it, the press there has probably made bank off all the royal stories lately, but without Harry and Meghan around, they may be looking for a new target.
Whatever the case, I hope everyone leaves this girl alone.
They know that the royal family has few fans among the young; thrusting Louise into the story might be aimed in that direction.
You could be right, since the report came out they weren’t popular amoung the youth, but once again the BRF are tone deaf i cant see inner city kids being interested in Horses and carriage rides. She looks like a very sheltered 17year old. I can’t see her setting up a charity @ 18 like her uncle. they need to let her be so she can grow up, go to uni if she wants, and do the things kids her age do.
Sophie and Edward’s grief tour and thirst for attention (and/or desperate need for royal funding) was rather obvious, but we also know that the British tabloids spin anything into sh*t and lie, willingly and unprompted, about literally everything. (Hence the “SHE’S WEARING HER GRANDFATHER’S COAT, WHAT A TRIBUTE, HOW TOUCHING …oh wait it’s from Zara jkjkjk” bs.) So I won’t jump to the conclusion that S & E are actively pushing Louise into the spotlight because it’s possible that the tabloids are just stirring the pot.
However, IF Sophie is intentionally pushing her underage daughter into the limelight to get her own foot in the door then that’s among the more despicable things a royal has done lately, and that’s really saying something. This is an innocent child, she does not deserve to be dragged into this pit of vipers.
Shouldn’t she be getting ready for university and a real career? Sophie Wessex has always been thirsty, from back in her sheik sting days and now. She just could lay low for the last decade but she’s slithered back out. Edward ain’t so great either.
Harry sure nailed it. Royals expect their children to be available for use by the Firm and RR no matter their rank or circumstances. Uugh
Oh. No.
If anyone wants to be “working” as part of The Firm, go ahead.
H&M have moved forward.
I think Sophie spent a good deal of time w/PP over the years and she was close to him.
He, like most GPa, probably spoke to her of “the duty” of the BRF.
So of they are willing, I say step right up.
Better Edward and family vs. constantly bitching about H&M.
I have a soft spot for Louise, but the fact that she’s in the news at all shows how much the RF needed H&M. Edward and Sophie are bland and boring. Andy and Fergie are obviously out to pasture, and Ann and her children aren’t interesting enough to get clicks. But this is the “team” until George, Charlotte, and Louis are old enough for the RR to scrutinize. *Sigh*
She is carrying a $1000 Chloe handbag !!I will never understand how British ppl can accept that that already rich family who takes public money to fund their lifestyle when ppl are suffering from COVID(UNICEF had to feed kids from poor families,and Marcus Rashford had to fight Boris government to feed kids) and also all those hurtful policies that tories put in place….
I don’t understand the “makeover” bit. She doesn’t look made over. She looks like a little girl that is still uncomfortable with her body’s changes. Let her be.
Sophie has calculated that she and Edward are really the only available royals to take up extra work until the Cambridge kids grow up. She came on the scene telling everyone that everyone thinks she looks like Diana and she hasn’t stopped trying to promote herself since then. Did she have a failed PR firm? She’s not been very good at PR as far as I can tell. I think they will work as fill-in royals but a lesson has been learned and they will be kept firmly in the background and barely acknowledged.
I don’t see why Lady Louise would work as a full time royal when B&E have been firmly snubbed.
Let her go to university in peace. BTW. I think she’s going to be a real beauty, she is lovely now and will be quite something in the next few years.
She’s photographed every once in a while, it doesn’t have to be a big thing.
Sophie is the one who got a makeover.
Whatever they are doing, I just hope they don’t let her leave the house dressed like that again. It’s a terrible outfit to be photographed in.
@lemons I agree and the ultra-chic comment feels snide to me. Come on. This outfit is no one’s idea of ultra chic. She looks at best like a baby whose clumsily tried to dress herself in something trendy or, at worst, her mother has tried to style her as fashion forward.
They have all the resources in the world to get Louise into a similar fit but something that looks nice. Sophie is clearly trying to look stylish herself. Her daughter is 17 now, so she needs to look out for her. Throwing her a Chloe bag isn’t it.
Has there been press commentary before about Louise’s fashion choices? I don’t follow her closely but this seems to be a new direction. I feel so sorry for the poor girl. As others have commented above, this seems to be a push from her mother/parents to get her into the public eye. She seemed barely aware of the cameras or what she was wearing. They should all just leave her in peace.
What a horrible thing to say. If she’s comfortable dressing like that then leave her alone. You’re contributing to the very thing that makes teenage girls insecure, lacking in self-esteem and embarrassed about being themselves. Shame on you all.
I dont think she’s cut out for “royal duties”!! She seems shy & her brother often looks even more uncomfortable with the spotlight. Despite knowing this her parents are pushing for this whilst chuck doesn’t have full control to try secure some position for her(I don’t see it working). Wessexs are trying to get on both willy & chuck’s good side hoping they’d be able to remain working members
The Royal Family is pulling out all the stops hoping to avoid perv Prince Randy Andy’s from taking responsibility for his Epstein-ness
17 going on 60
Oh come on now. She’s 17. This comment is unnecessarily mean towards someone who’s a child (legally at least).
You do know you’re at a site called Celebitchy, right?
Also, no, it’s not mean, just facts. She looks 17 going on 60 in that first photo.
@Anna – who made you the arbiter of fashion for 17 year olds? Celebitchy does not condone dunking on a 17 year old for not conforming to your idea of what’s fashionable or acceptable. She looks like a lovely teenager who likes horses, country life and doesn’t give a toss about looking like a fashion model. Good for her, she’s being her true self.
This was a “safe” event for her to attend given that it is on the Windsor estate. I don’t think Sophie is putting her out to the media because in all the press she does she never directly references private details about the children. They have actually been cooperating with these Windsor estate pap shots with Louise for years. It’s interesting though that their son is rarely seen. I sincerely hope the media doesn’t sink their teeth into Louise. If Charles is refusing to let Eugenie and Beatrice be working royals then she certainly won’t be so hopefully she can have some semblance of a private life.
If there’s one person who appears to hate public royal events more than Prince George, it’s James, Viscount Severn. He’s never not looked uncomfortable and miserable in his little suit being trotted out for this or that.
Hopefully his parents continue to keep him out of the spotlight until he seeks it out for himself.
As a person who admires hats but does not live a hat wearing life – Sophie’s hat is awful.
She doesn’t even look like she picks out her own clothes yet. This poor girl. I worry about her.
What a cruel thing to say. “I worry about her”?? Why??? She’s doing her own thing her own way. Stop with the insulting comments and leave her TF alone
I just agree with Kaiser’s assessment that she seems sheltered. If you think we’re being cruel, it’s nothing compared to what it will be like if the Daily Mail sinks its teeth into her.
She’s a fresh-faced, lovely young woman. And now that that’s out of the way: leave her TF alone.
She looks like a 40-year-old woman!!!
No, she looks fine but she is dressed like a 40 year old woman.
No, she’s dressed in what she feels comfortable in. Stop pressuring her to look like anything other than she is — a fresh-faced, natural, pretty 17 year old.
Man, it’s hard enough being 17 and dealing with the more everyday self doubts and self criticism. To have reporters writing about your “makeover” (implying you looked “wrong” before) would be totally debilitating to most young women. I hope she has lots of good support. Maybe there’s a group chat with the young European royals that includes Amalia and Elisabeth, they’ve both had to deal with this to varying degrees.
I really hope they just let the poor girl live her life. She’s not going to be a working royal in the much-touted slimmed down monarchy, but she’ll never want for anything either. She seems like a sweet girl. Let her go off and find a passion and have a fulfilling life away from the royal circus.
Whether it’s the press or her parents steering her into the spotlight, stop. She’ll be the next scapegoat and we know what that does to people.
Exactly. I was watching that old Andy and Fergie movie on Lifetime last night. There was a line that Andy said to Fergie “Every fairytale needs a villain and right now you’re it”. Right now its Meghan but Sophie and Edward should be careful that their daughter doesn’t take her place and get the same ruthless treatment. I could see the courtiers and certain other royals throwing this girl to the wolves if they feel she is becoming too ” popular”.
Thought: Remember her dress flipping walking up the steps at Eugenie’s wedding? Her peers could have teased her about it afterwards. If I were her, I’d wear pants / trousers for most events (as deemed appropriate) as a means of “armour”. Maybe she prefers looser clothing as the press tends to dissect clothing/ hairstyles & body figure.
It was ridiculously windy at Eugenie’s wedding. Most of the female guests were holding on to their dresses and hats. She had the unlucky fortune to actually have her dress blow up.
I don’t mind knowing or reading more about her but the price is too high. Rats are insane, Charles is delusional and the Cambridges are dumb. All 3 are cruel. So I don’t want them coming for her, bringing her up and then dragging her down.
I think she looks the most like the queen of all the grandchildren. Just picture her with dark hair and she could be a teenage Elizabeth.
I do find her very chic and age appropriate: she’s clearly experimenting with draping and layers, and she doesn’t need to get it right from the start, and she doesn’t need the th*t Instagram look.
She’s also the press’ only hope: Kate still dresses like a middle class store mannequin (and always will, she has no natural elegance, looks comfortable only when playing sports), Meghan was pushed out, the York girls – who could be counted upon to provide some aristocratic risk taking and over the top realness – are entering a more retiring phase of life, Sophie could not even hack playing the Diana-lite copycat, Zara is not really into fashion, Camilla is always note perfect but she’s old.
Louise is tall, slender, fresh faced, “of the blood”, blonde, and it seems like she would wear an interesting jacket once in a while (and her father is quietly elegant, unlike his wife). Could be worse. Someone has to sell those aristocratic brands and expensive bags, you know 😉
@ Esme : but have you noticed that since Beatrice married her well dressed Italian husband that her fashion game has greatly improved?
Based on Charles slim down monarchy Louise will never be a working royal. Her parents should keep her as far away from the press as possible. The press thrashed Beatrice and Eugenie for years and this feels like they’re presenting Louise on a silver platter to the press. I agree she seems on the young side of seventeen, the more reason to protect her. Haters on social media will go after her especially during the awkward late teens early twenties. This young lady should go to university to study something that will lead to gainful employment in the future.
On a recent UK podcast the podcaster mentioned how popular Edward and Sophie were with no hint of sarcasm. Question to the Brits on this site, are Edward and Sophie popular in the U.K.?
Mark my words, she won’t happen, unless she has juicy scandals to provide for the press. And if this chic makeover is what they’re promoting,then forget if people remember her after a minute. Even sofiesta looks more chic (the bar is underground) between the two. I think she’s safe.
This outfit is awful and unflattering and with her wispy curls in a ponytail, it just makes her look like a very little kid playing dress up in daddy’s suit.
As I said below, stop with the demeaning comments about her looks. She has a pretty, casual, girl-next-door look and I’m glad she’s not buying into the over made-up, hair-styled, million dollar wardrobe look certain other royals aspire to. She’s only 17 FFS, let her be who she wants to be.
Also, what is the flower pouch hooked into her hand?!
It’s her face mask.
@Jaded I dont know why you are personally affronted. Not everyone is attractive at 17. Lets not lie just because she is 17. She doesnt look great, in the looks dept. I didn’t look great in the looks dept when I was 17 either. Its the card that you get dealt. Some of us turn into swans in adulthood. There is no need for you to take this personally. Chill.
Is Jaded Sophie? She’s all over this comments section.
@Mercury and Emily – I’m all over this comments section because I feel strongly that a teenager who doesn’t conform to the skinny fashionista look shouldn’t be pilloried on this site or any other site. And no, I’m not Sophie, I’m someone who’s been around long enough to see the negative outcomes of girls being made fun of and told they don’t look right. Nobody’s “lying” about her being attractive, she’s a normal looking teenager who’s into country life and horses, not getting on the front page of Teen Vogue. I didn’t turn into a swan until my late teens and the ragging I took before that was horribly painful so I do get to be personally affronted.
Edward’s kids are not royal. When Edward got married, the Queen ordered, in writing, that any kids they have “shall not be given the style or His or Her Royal Highness” but would only receive courtesy titles as children of an Earl. But this also reminds me that Charles is correct to slim down the monarchy. Is the monarchy going to fail without Edward and Sophie (or their kids?) No. Is it going to fail without Andrew and his kids? No — in fact, it would do better if Andrew was stripped of his royal titles and made to cooperate with authorities. The only royal family member that really matters is the monarch, who has an actual job as head of state. The heirs matter only in the sense that they will likely become a monarch in the future (barring premature death). None of the other people matter. They don’t have real jobs, they don’t mean anything to the average person. As far as charities go, the money would be better spent if it’s given DIRECTLY to the charities so they can hire real public relations people and fundraising experts who actually know what they are doing. “Working royal” is a lame excuse for these grifters to keep living off public money.
Edward’s children can be HRH and Prince and Princess if they choose to when they are 18. E&S elected for them to not use the titles as children. Don’t know where you got the Queen refused story.
It was part of the Queen’s decision when she gave Edward his Earldom: “The Queen has also decided . . . that any children they might have should not be given the style His or Her Royal Highness.” I am posting a link. The queen’s written decree says NOTHING about them turning 18.
(https://web.archive.org/web/20080626060008/http://nds.coi.gov.uk:80/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=28257&NewsAreaID=2)
Of course, the Queen, at any time, can change her mind and give Louise and James the HRH title and make them royals. But as far as I am aware (and I have searched), there is nothing in writing from the palace. When people tell me I am mistaken and James and Louise are royal, I ask for something (anything) in writing from the queen or the palace that over-rules her earlier decision, but nobody has ever posted that information. Do YOU have a link to any document issued by the Queen or palace?
The article I read was an interview with Sophie and this article you link only says an agreement between them and the Queen and not something written by the Queen to change the rules.
There are LITERALLY no “rules” that Elizabeth needed to change. The “HRH” title is bestowed SOLELY at the discretion/whim of the monarch. All the monarch has to do is make a statement that someone will, or will not, have the HRH title. Elizabeth specifically said Edward’s kids will not be given HRH titles, so they were not given those titles.
I get that SOPHIE herself is saying they are HRH, but Sophie has no authority to bestow that title on her kids, only the monarch can. Maybe Elizabeth *privately* promised Sophie that she will bestow the HRH title on the kids when they turn 18? But again, there was nothing put out by the queen or palace that says so, nor anything from the queen over-ruling her previous decision.
So unless and until that happens, the kids are not HRH, despite Sophie’s desperate attempts to convince people otherwise.
Run, girl. Run.
I have no trouble believing that she might have been a favorite of Philip’s. She’s 14 years younger than Eugenie, and I can see how she and her brother might have been doted on as the last of the grandkids.
I feel bad that her parents are pushing her out front right now, though, especially since teenage girls are easy targets for the media even if they don’t have someone like William using them as human shields. I guess I’d kind of fear something like the Malia Obama Smoked a Cigarette and Kissed a Boy! uproar, but without steady parents like the Obamas to help during that period.
When I remembered that Sophie used to be a pr person I thought, Yeah none of this surprises me, esp the Oprah bs.
Also snatch that hat off of Sophie and give it to Louise. That could be cute.
Yes, and Philip’s funeral was like her coming out party. I can see her parents going hog wild with the PR once she turn 18.
Wow she really looks a lot like her grandfather!
What happened to slimming down the monarchy? You know, where the higher ranking Sussexes were to get the boot, but Fop, SoFiesta and their kids are included? I mean, the slim down completely skipped over Beatrice and Eugenie, who are adults and age appropriate for working events.
The BRF is so full if shit.
I doubt she’ll be allowed to be a working royal by Prince Charles, especially since the York Princesses are not working royals. I think the parents should stop pushing Louise into the spotlight.
I hope her parents make sure she gets a University education and not try to make her “happen” with the media.
+1
I wish people would stop talking about how she looks. If it makes her happy let her be. She’s obviously a horsey young woman and being a fashionista isn’t her thing. I think she’s pretty in a natural, girl-next-door way and I love her hair. I’d hate to see her suddenly get primped and wigleted and over-made up. Leave that sh*t to Keen and her ilk.
Let her just be herself.
Agree!
I find it refreshing that she’s a young princess who seems to have interests outside of hair, makeup, and shopping.
She’s an outdoorsy country girl who loves horses. Be thankful she isn’t obsessed with getting an Instagram following or giving online makeup tutorials. I can’t believe the way the comments here are criticizing her – “she’s too shy to be a public royal”, “she’s too frumpy and dresses too old”, “her hair is terrible”. People are trolling a teenage girl. Just stop.
Social media was vicious to her around the time of the Cambridge wedding. She had an eye condition that meant her eyes looked askew (I don’t mean to be cruel, but I don’t know the proper term). People talked about how she looked in the wedding pictures in a way that was heartbreaking. Louise was a child, ffs. Her eye condition has been corrected, but I think even Sophie talked about how mean people were about her appearance. They should by no means push this girl into a spotlight she likely doesn’t want. All they will be doing is subjecting her to more cruelty that’s completely uncalled for. The British media has no qualms bullying people to suicide, and I have no doubt that Louise would be vilified if it meant propping up another royal. The nastiness of the British media has no boundaries, no ceiling, no floor. They will not be kind to Louise. Her parents should know better and let her live as normal a life as she can.
I looked up the condition. Estropia-an eye misalignment. Louise went through two different procedures to correct it. The first time didn’t work. I think she’s a pretty girl and really hope the BM/or others don’t throw her to the wolves. That’s heinous that people talked about her looks that way at the Cambridge wedding. Looked up pictures of the wedding and saw that Harry rode in the carriage with Louise & her brother? Love that. Ma Middleton probably wanted Harry to ride in a carriage with Pippa.
I think she probably likes and attends things like this, what she isn’t used to is the paps turning up just to take pictures of her. Sigh, if you’re going to gush about ultra-chic makeovers, make sure she looks like she had one. The pants and the jacket should not be worn together, she needs a skinnier or straight leg jean/ pant. The wide leg pant is too much with the blazer. A button down shirt should have been worn with pants, rolled up at the sleeves and a good hem, not a droopy one.
This is ridiculous. There’s no pushing from Edward and Sophie to make her happen. The press are just being their usual bitchy self talking about her ‘chic makeover’. Obviously her parents are choosing to let her wear what she likes at an event she always attends because she’s passionate about horses. If E&S were pushing for the limelight/pushing Louise forward, this wouldn’t be what she’d be wearing. They are obviously letting Louise be what she is – just a very young 17 year old.
Sophie looks good above. If Louise dressed as her twin, that would be much more chic than what she is wearing. But ffs, it’s ok. It would be weird to have a child who grew up entirely in the country be super fashion-y.
Sophie should ask the power that be to not make Louise as a scape goat.
She is not a working royal, let her be. It is not worth it sophie!.
Let Louise set her carrier goal outside of the BRF.
Dont teach tour child to be a leech.
Can we please NOT participate in the sociopathic British media’s sick game AT ALL?? Can’t believe how many of you supposedly grown women are playing right into this.
Please do not make derogatory comments on anything to do with this teenage child, including her outfit and her hair. Seriously. It’s pathetic and sad. She didn’t ask to be in the spotlight or for any of this at all.
This thread is reminding me of the creepy middle-aged Republican men who made a sport for years out of publicly humiliating THIRTEEN year old Chelsea Clinton on her looks – publicly making the most disgusting jokes and comments on the radio, on late night talk shows, in the newspaper, on TV, and everywhere.
ITA. Minors are off limits, period. And yes, that does include comments on their appearance when they have the temerity to go outside.
.
.
Desperatelty seeking relevance so that Charles doesn’t cut them off. It is not going to work and the press will devour that poor girl.
this is how the press starts, takes innocent pics of a 17 yr old Louise,and made a story about her clothes. now people are talking about her clothes, her hair, her makeup ,who she looks like .little by little they will start using her,wait till she starts dating, or break up and so on, the press will be right there to tell the world about it . and that’s how Louise trouble with the press will start. by Phillip giving her his horses and carriage,he threw her into the spotlight. cause now she will be known as Phillip favorite Granddaughter.
I had that exact same frizzy ponytail back in the 90s 😂 But yeah, her parents should leave her be, she’s just a kid