Lady Louise Windsor spent Sunday, October 4, competing in the final carriage-driving meet of the season at Windsor Great Park, with her mother, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, there to support her. PEOPLE reported the outing on Monday.
For the daughter of Prince Edward and Sophie, the sport carries a family connection: it was a passion she shared with her grandfather, Prince Philip.
A passion passed down from Prince Philip
Carriage driving was an important part of Philip’s life long before Louise took the reins. According to the Royal Family’s account of his sporting interests, he turned to the sport after giving up polo at 50 and competed until 2003. He continued driving his Fell ponies around the royal estates after his competitive career ended.
His influence extended beyond his own carriage. As president of the International Equestrian Federation, Philip helped formulate the sport’s rules.
Louise recalled his enthusiasm in a 2021 documentary, remembering how eagerly he asked about her competitions. “His eyes would light up because he just gets so excited when he talks about it,” she said, in remarks reproduced by PEOPLE.
Sophie’s support at Windsor
Tatler also covered Sophie’s support at the weekend meet. The setting is close to the family’s home at Bagshot Park, making Windsor a familiar backdrop to Louise’s equestrian interests.
The outing offers a glimpse of a royal family connection that has continued through a shared pursuit. Years after Philip’s death, carriage driving remains part of his granddaughter’s life, with her mother alongside her.
Which royal would you enjoy reading more about: Lady Louise, Sophie, Prince Edward or Princess Anne? Share your thoughts below.
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Photo credits
Anne: Archive, 2025. Tim Rooke / Parsons Media / UK Home Office, CC BY 4.0; cropped.
Sophie: Archive, 2025. UKinUSA / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0; cropped.
Edward: Archive, 2025. UKinUSA / Jaya Vemuri, CC BY-SA 2.0; cropped.
Featured image: Archive photograph of Lady Louise Windsor in the coronation procession on May 6, 2023. Photo: Katie Chan / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped from the original photograph. This image shows a different event from the October 2026 competition.
