Lady Louise Windsor has been spotted at an exercise for army officer candidates – and she could be the first female royal since 1945 to serve in the military.
The 21-year-old daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Edward and Sophie, is said to want to follow in the footsteps of her grandmother Queen Elizabeth.
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She was photographed wearing a camouflage uniform, holding a helmet with the word 'Windsor' on it and carrying an SA80 rifle as she participated in the Future Army Officers war games.
Lady Louise – who is 16th in line to the throne – has joined others at the University Officer Training Corps (UOTC) in St Andrews, Fife, where she is studying English.
She received basic weapons training, driving lessons, and a course in navigating rough terrain under pressure.
The cadet officer, whose father left the Royal Marines after a four-month stint in 1987, was pictured at an evening celebrating Scottish martial traditions at Edinburgh Castle.
She is due to graduate from university in the summer and sources say she is keen to serve in the forces like Queen Elizabeth.
She was a princess when she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service as a junior captain in World War II.
Lady Louise's involvement with UOTC is said to be the clearest indication yet of her next move, which could include the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
Princes William, 42, and Harry, 40, were commissioned after successful stints there.
A source said: “She has loved every minute of being a member of the university’s officer cadets.
“She has received basic army officer training and is more determined than ever to serve king and country in the future.
“She prepared her ROTC for her studies and benefited greatly from the skills she learned.”
“UOTC provides a level of expertise and training that is highly respected within the Army,” the Department of Defense said.
