Lady Louise Windsor is set to join her mother, the Duchess of Edinburgh, for her milestone 60th birthday celebrations this month, thanks to fortunate timing with her university schedule.
The duchess will mark her 60th birthday on Monday, January 20, with the Royal Family expected to honour the occasion publicly.
The timing coincides perfectly with Lady Louise’s academic calendar at the University of St Andrews, where she is currently in her third year of studies.
Prince Edward and the Duchess of Edinburgh, who reside at Bagshot Park in Surrey, are preparing for both personal celebrations and a busy year ahead, including an upcoming joint trip to Nepal in February.
Lady Louise Windsor set for reunion with Duchess of Edinburgh amid university loophole
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Unlike the previous year when St Andrews’ Candlemas Semester began on January 15, the 2024/25 term dates show Lady Louise will not resume her studies until January 27.
The university’s schedule includes three inter-semester break weeks, with one falling during the week of her mother’s birthday.
This timing means Lady Louise can be present for any family celebrations, whether they take place the weekend before or on the duchess’s birthday itself.
The arrangement will likely be particularly meaningful for the Duchess of Edinburgh, allowing her daughter to be close during this milestone occasion.
The Edinburgh family was last seen together on Christmas Day, when Lady Louise joined her parents and brother James, Earl of Wessex, for the traditional walk to church in Norfolk alongside other royals.
Such family gatherings have become rarer since Lady Louise began her university studies, with her attendance at events like Trooping the Colour and Easter Sunday service becoming less frequent.
Last year’s celebrations for Prince Edward’s 60th birthday included a touching moment at the Community Sport and Recreation Awards, where the duchess delivered a personal speech that moved her husband to tears.
The family may mark Sophie’s milestone with both an official photo and private celebrations, following similar patterns to previous royal birthdays.
The duchess previously expressed pride in her daughter’s academic journey, telling The Sunday Times in 2020: “She’s working hard and will do A-levels. I hope she goes to university. I wouldn’t force her, but if she wants to. She’s quite clever, so I think probably [she will]”.
Lady Louise has since fulfilled these hopes, now in her third year at St Andrews.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have taken on increased responsibilities supporting King Charles and Queen Camilla in recent years.
Prince Edward received significant honours in the past year, including his appointment to the Order of the Thistle, Scotland’s highest honour.
While the duchess may attend official engagements on her birthday, the family is expected to find time to celebrate this special milestone.
