Lady Louise channels Prince Philip away from Balmoral family gathering

Much of the Royal Family is gathered in Balmoral for their summer break

Lady Louise Windsor demonstrated her advanced carriage driving abilities at the British Carriage Driving National Championships in Essex on Friday.

The 21-year-old, ahead of returning to her final year at St Andrews, competed at the Ashfields Carriage and Polo Club near Great Dunmow, participating in the sport’s highest competitive tier.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh’s daughter displayed remarkable concentration whilst guiding her brown horse and four-wheeled carriage through the course.

The accomplished royal driver appeared confident throughout the competition, occasionally breaking into smiles between moments of intense focus.

Lady Louise has channelled Prince Philip in a trip away from the rest of the Royal Family who are staying at Balmoral

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Lady Louise attended without her parents, who are currently at Balmoral with other royals before resuming official engagements.

The 21-year-old has embraced the equestrian pursuit that her grandfather, Prince Philip, championed for decades.

Philip introduced carriage driving to Sandringham in 1982, transforming it into one of his most cherished pastimes at the royal estate.

Following Philip’s death in April 2021, Lady Louise received his polished dark green four-wheeled carriage as part of her inheritance.

Lady Louise was competing in the British Carriage Driving National Championships in Essex

She also became the owner of his Fell ponies, Balmoral Nevis and Notlaw Storm.

The late Duke had personally coached Lady Louise in the sport during her teenage years.

In 2019, Philip watched proudly from the crowd as his granddaughter secured third place in the Private Driving Singles category at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

The prestigious championship spans three days and tests competitors across multiple disciplines.

Carriage driving was long championed by Prince Philip, who left his personal carriage and Fell ponies to Lady Louise

Participants must excel in dressage, navigate obstacle driving courses, and complete a marathon phase resembling cross-country challenges.

Wearing professional attire, including a muted coat and tie and safety helmet, Lady Louise manoeuvred through the demanding course Friday’s opening day.

Though competing independently, Lady Louise was accompanied by a second driver for the event.

The competition welcomed public spectators, though her close friend Felix da Silva-Clamp was notably absent from the venue.

The daughter of Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Sussex, is preparing for her fourth and final year at St Andrews

Lady Louise’s equestrian success comes as she prepares to begin her fourth and final year at St Andrews.

The 21-year-old has been pursuing an English degree at the prestigious Scottish university since 2022.

However, it remains to be seen what course the 21-year-old will take when she moves on from the Fife institution.

In a previous LinkedIn post, a career networking site, the young royal had expressed an interest in pursuing a career in the military, diplomacy or law.

If Lady Louise was to pursue a career in the armed forces, she would be the first female royal to serve since her late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth.