Lady Louise Windsor joins Army officer hopefuls exercise in bid to be first female royal since 1945 to serve
ALL-ACTION Lady Louise Windsor is seen on an exercise for Army officer hopefuls — and 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 gran, Queen Elizabeth.
She was snapped with face camouflage, in combat fatigues, holding a helmet with “Windsor” on it and carrying an SA80 rifle while taking part in war games for future Army officers.
Lady Louise — 16th in line to the throne — joined others in the University Officer Training Corps (UOTC) at St Andrews, Fife, where she studies English.
She has had basic weapons training, leadership lessons and a course in navigating tough terrain under pressure.
The officer cadet, whose dad left the Royal Marines after a four-month stint in 1987, was also pictured at an evening celebrating Scottish martial traditions at Edinburgh Castle.
She is due to graduate from university in summer and sources say she is eager to serve in the forces like Queen Elizabeth, who was a princess when she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service as a Junior Commander in the Second World War.
Lady Louise’s involvement in the UOTC is said to be the clearest signal yet of her next step, which could include Sandhurst’s Royal Military Academy.
Princes William and Harry were commissioned after successful stints there.
One source said: “Louise has loved every minute of being a member of the officer cadets at university.
“She’s received basic Army officer training and is more determined than ever to serve King and country in the future.
“She fitted the officer training corps around her studies and has benefited hugely from the skills that she’s been taught.”
The Ministry of Defence said: “The UOTC provides a standard of experience and training that’s well respected within the Army.”