Lady Louise Windsor finishes second at horse driving trials
Lady Louise Windsor finished second in the novice pony event at the Sandringham Horse Driving Trials, as she was supported by her doting father, Prince Edward.
It was Louise’s first time competing at the event on Sunday where she was an awarded in impressive silver medal.
Only two weeks ago, Louise, 20, was waving at crowds from a horse-drawn carriage at Trooping the Colour – but has now had her turn in the driving seat.
The Sandringham trials first started in 1982 by Louise’s grandfather, Prince Phillip, who wanted to bring one of his favourite sports to one of his favourite places and it always takes place over the weekend after Royal Ascot.
The eldest child of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Edward and Sophie, prefers to keep out the spotlight when it comes to attending royal events, and chooses not to use her HM title.
Lady Louise Windsor beamed as she took to the saddle this afternoon at the Sandringham Horse Trials in Norfolk
The young royal, 20, shared a sweet moment with her father Prince Edward, who embraced her
At her driving event on Sunday, Louise supported by her dad who watched eagerly from the sidelines as his daughter competed the driving event with one of the Queen’s ponies.
Louise, who is 16th in line to the throne, donned a smart tweed blazer with a shirt and tie underneath. She wore beige and orange seamed gloves along with her hard rider’s hat and cream jodhpurs.
After being awarded a blue ribbon for coming second place in the driving competition, Louise was met with a warm embrace from her father who wrapped his arms proudly around his daughter from the seat of the carriage.
On the first day of the Sandringham driving trials on Friday, the 20-year-old royal was joined by her friend Felix da Silva-Clamp, who supported her in her first competition.
The pair are believed to have met at St Andrews University in Scotland, where Lady Louise is studying English Literature.
Images on Facebook show the pair taking a selfie and posing together at a St Andrews student theatre party.
Lady Louise, who was taking part in a dressage event with one of the Queen’s ponies on Friday, wore a black helmet, smart beige overcoat and matching gloves.
Mr da Silva-Clamp, who was dressed in grey chinos and a blue jacket, was seen arriving at the event with Lady Louise’s mother, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, 59, who was dressed casually in khaki skinny jeans, a khaki coat and a light-blue jumper.
The royal, who is a horse enthusiast, looked comfortable as she took to the saddle – taking part in the sport she loves
The young royal looked focused as she competed on the second day of the event – where she finished second
As his daughter competed, proud father Prince Edward made sure he was watching all the action unfold
Lady Louise’s greatest love! The royal, who is the daughter of Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie, couldn’t stop smiling
Together, they watched Lady Louise perform in the dressage, then Felix accompanied her on a walk around the carriage driving course.
Lady Louise, the niece of the King, has been spotted a few times competing at carriage-driving competitions, after she made her debut in the sport three years ago, aged 17.
Her passion for carriage driving was sparked by the late Prince Philip, who adored the sport and encouraged her to take it up. Phillip had taken the sport up in his 50s after no longer being able to play his favourite sport, polo.
He shared a special bond with Lady Louise because of the sport, and left her his carriage when he died in 2021.
The young royal paid tribute to her grandfather’s legacy by taking part in a carriage-driving event in April last year, on the weekend of the anniversary of his death.
