Royal Profile: The Lady Louise Alice Elizabeth Mary Mountbatten-Windsor

The Lady Louise Alice Elizabeth Mary Mountbatten-Windsor is the elder of two children of The Earl of Wessex and Countess of Wessex. She was born prematurely on 8 November 2003 via emergency C-Section at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey, after her mother was rushed there by ambulance from the couple's home at Bagshot Park, Surrey.

She was baptized in the Private Chapel of Windsor Castle on 24 April 2004 and her godparents were:

• The Lady Alexandra Etherington (her distant cousin)
• The Lady Sarah Chatto (her 1st cousin 1x removed)
• The Lord Ivar Mountbatten (her distant cousin)
• Mr. Rupert Elliott
• Mrs Urs Schwarzenbach

Lady Louise was born with the eye disorder exotropia. In January 2006 it was reported that Lady Louise had undergone a 30-minute operation under general anesthetic to correct the problem, but in 2009 it was once again reported that her parents had decided against this treatment. An eight-year-old Lady Louise broke her left arm when she fell off her pony while riding at the Queen's estate at Windsor on 11 April 2012. She was treated at a hospital, but was released the same day. She was wearing a hard hat and safety back brace at the time of the accident and didn't sustain any other injuries. Doctors said she would not require further surgery. Her mother cancelled her duties for the day to stay with her, but her father continued with his daily schedule after hearing that Lady Louise's injuries were not serious.At 9 years old, she has performed several royal duties. In June 2009, she participated in her 1st Trooping of Colour {Photos}, and in 2011, she rode in the carriage with other British Royals for the 1st time {Photos}. On Easter 2012 Lady Louise accompanied her paternal grandparents, parents and cousin, Princess Eugenie of York, to the Easter service in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle {Photos}. In June 2012, Lady Louise attended the Jubilee Thames River Pageant with her parents and younger brother. A few days later Lady Louise accompanied her parents to the Thanksgiving service at St. Paul's Cathedral in honor of the Queen's Diamond jubilee {Photos}. However, her most known royal duty was acting as a bridesmaid at her cousin, Prince William's April 2011 Wedding {Photos}. In 2012, she also made several appearances at the 2012 London Olympics with her parents.

Lady Louise began her education at St. George's School, Windsor Castle in 2007. She is presently in year 4 (equal to 4th grade in the US system). St. George's School, Windsor Castle was previously attended by her cousin Princess Eugenie from 2001-2003.

There is some argument as to what her official title and style actually is. In Letters Patent issued in 1917 by Lady Louise's great-great grandfather, King George V, that still remains in force today, she is legally entitled to the title and style Her Royal Highness Princess Louise of Wessex. However, upon the marriage of her parents in 1999, her grandmother released a press release via Buckingham Palace that announced
that her youngest grandchildren would be styled as children of Earl's children in order to avoid some of the burdens associated with royal titles. There are two opposing opinions as to whether or not Louise is "legally" a princess and Her Royal Highness: Some experts consider the Queen's press release to not have enough legal force to override the 1917 letters patent, whereas other experts contend that the Queen's will, however expressed, is law in matters of royal titles and styles. If the latter is the case, then the 1960 letters patent is also applicable and Louise bears (but is seldom styled with) the surname Mountbatten-Windsor. However, either way, she is presently 9th in line for the British Throne after three uncles, four cousins, her father and brother.