As Prince William assumes a more significant role within the royal family, it seems he will need to put in extra effort to persuade two key members of the Firm to follow his lead.
As the next in line to the throne, the 42-year-old Prince of Wales is reportedly “seizing more power” from his father, King Charles, who is battling cancer.
The future king is said to be asserting himself on several critical decisions regarding the long-term future of the monarchy.
Among these decisions is giving more prominence to lesser-known royals, including the children of Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie of Edinburgh, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex.
Lady Louise, 21, has remained mostly out of the public spotlight during her childhood and recent years, focusing instead on her education at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where William met his wife, Kate Middleton.
Both she and her younger brother James, 17, were offered HRH (His/Her Royal Highness) titles at birth, but their parents chose to decline, opting instead to provide their children with a more “normal” upbringing.
A report by the Scottish Daily Express suggests that William has recently been considering offering Louise and James another chance to become working members of the royal family.
If they accept, they will start receiving public funding, which would require them to take on public engagements and events representing the Crown.
While this move hasn’t been confirmed, it could ease some of the pressure within the royal family, especially in the wake of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s departure from the Firm five years ago.
After turning 18, Louise was again offered the title of Princess Louise but declined.
Meanwhile, her brother James, who turns 18 in December 2025, is expected to make a similar decision, according to Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for the Sunday Times.
Nikkhah previously noted that it was “highly unlikely” for Louise or James, who are 15th and 16th in the line of succession, respectively, to use the titles offered to them.
Their parents prioritized giving them as “normal” a childhood as possible.
“We try to bring them up with the understanding they are very likely to have to work for a living,” Sophie, 59, shared with the Sunday Times Magazine in 2020.
She added, “Hence we made the decision not to use HRH titles. They have them and can decide to use them from 18, but I think it’s highly unlikely.”
Continuing, Sophie explained, “What’s normal? They go to a regular school [they both attend top independent schools]. They go to friends for sleepovers and parties.”
“At weekends, we do lots of dog walking and stay with friends. I guess not everyone’s grandparents live in a castle, but where you are going is not the important part, or who they are. When they are with the Queen, she is their grandmother,” the Duchess of Edinburgh said.
