Lady Louise Windsor competes in Windsor carriage driving competitors
Lady Louise Windsor has been snapped competing in the Carriage Driving Competition in Windsor – and the young royal looked in her element taking part in her beloved activity.
The 20-year-old, who is believed to have inherited her love of driving from her late grandfather Prince Philip, last month competed in the Sandringham Horse Driving Trials in Norfolk.
There, she was supported by a university friend, Felix da Silva-Clamp – however, it is not known whether he was present today, and he was not photographed at the event.
She is believed to have met Felix at St Andrews University in Scotland, where she is studying English Literature.
Lady Louise, who was taking part in the carriage driving event, wore cream fitted trousers. With temperatures rising to 25C, rather than a blazer, she opted for a navy blue t-shirt.
Lady Louise (pictured taking part in the Carriage Driving Competition in Windsor) is famously fond of the activity
The young royal (pictured) inherited her passion for carriage driving from her late grandfather Prince Philip
Her outfit was completed with a pair of riding boots, a red and blue helmet, and cream gloves.
Lady Louise, the niece of the King, is often to be spotted 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, her grandfather, who adored the sport and encouraged her to take it up.
Prince Philip took up carriage driving in his 50s after he was forced to give up polo.
He raced carriages near Norfolk before going on to represent Britain at several world and European championships.
In May 2017, Prince Philip spoke about how he took up carriage driving, explaining: ‘I was looking round to see what next, I didn’t know what there was available.
‘And I suddenly thought, well, we’ve got horses and carriages so why don’t I have a go.
‘So I borrowed four horses from the stables in London, took them to Norfolk and practised and thought – why not?’
Lady Louise (pictured) currently spends the majority of her time in Scotland, as she is studying English Literature at St Andrews University
The Duke described how he convened a committee of equestrian experts to come up with a set of international rules for the fledgling sport of carriage driving.
He was credited with shaping the sport in the UK and was still competing in his eighties, representing Britain in three European championships and six world championships in total.
The sport involves either two or four-wheeled carriages pulled by a single horse, a tandem or four-in-hand team.
It involves dressage, time trials and a challenging obstacle course.
At the age of 91, the prince had the dark green carriage made to his specifications out of aluminium and steel.
Like many other members of the Royal Family, Lady Louise (pictured) enjoys using horses for riding as well as carriage driving
Lady Louise (pictured, left) was left Prince Philip’s carriage after his death, because of their shared love of driving
He was seen riding the carriage around Windsor and other royal estates in the following years.
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.
Prince Philip started the Sandringham trials in 1982 as he wanted to bring one of his favourite sports to one of his most cherished places.
The trials always take place the weekend after the annual five-day Royal Ascot event.
