Debate ignites over whether Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor should 'live like a commoner'

The future role of Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor has ignited a royal debate following her graduation from the University of St Andrews, exposing divisions over whether the late Queen's granddaughter is right to live like a commoner or if an ageing monarchy needs her service.The 22-year-old, who is 17th in line to the throne, graduated on Thursday with a degree in English and international relations.Posing beside her proud parents, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Lady Louise confirmed plans to embark on a gap year combining work, volunteering, and travel. On Friday, she also received her Duke of Edinburgh gold award from her father at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh - a highly poignant milestone falling on the 70th anniversary of the scheme founded by her late grandfather, Prince Philip. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say However, her decision to forge a private career and not use her birthright HRH Princess title has divided royal commentators.Laura Windsor, a leading etiquette expert, questioned the decision to allow a granddaughter of the late Sovereign to blend seamlessly into ordinary society, suggesting it devalues the historic mystique of the Crown.She told GB News: If you're part of the Royal Family, there are certain duties that you should maintain. A gap year is very modern, but it puts you on the same level as everybody else. And is that what the Royal Family wants, to be put on the same level as everybody else? That loses its value almost.Ms Windsor argued that the core appeal of the British monarchy historically relied on a strict separation from ordinary life: If they behave like an everyday person, then why are they where they are?The late Queen would never have done something that we do, and that gave her distinction; it separated her from the rest of the population, because that was her role, that's what a queen does.Addressing the fact that Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh elected not to grant their children princely styles at birth, Ms Windsor suggested Lady Louise's current lifestyle means she has forfeited any claim to royal standing.Well, it depends on what she wanted to do with her life, she said. Obviously, she's living like a commoner, so no. If she doesn't want to take on the roles of the Royal Family, then why should she adopt the title?Ms Windsor drew a contrast with past generations of royals finishing their education: When Prince Harry finished school, he went off and off into the British Army, didn't he? And that's a duty! He didn't take on a gap year and go off to God knows where. So it depends who you're talking to.LATEST ROYAL DEVELOPMENTSLady Louise's official name confirmed as Prince Edward’s daughterKing and Queen send touching message to Lady Louise Windsor after her graduationLady Louise pictured with Edward and Sophie as she graduatesIn contrast, royal author Richard Fitzwilliams told GB News that Lady Louise possesses enormous potential to save a rapidly shrinking institution.He said: She's a cadet, she showed an interest in the military, and there is that possibility also; she's extremely interested. She's taken up carriage driving too - a nod to the late Duke of Edinburgh.Mr Fitzwilliams warned that a lack of youth within the working royal ranks will inevitably force the Palace to re-evaluate the status of younger family members like Lady Louise in the years ahead.Obviously, there's potential here, because there are only two royals under 60, and the way things are going, you've got George, Charlotte, and Louis, and no others, Mr Fitzwilliams explained.Of course, there's Archie and Lili, but we're leaving them out, because their titles, in reality, could be removed. Louise is the one that everyone thinks might take up charitable work of some sort or another, possibly even become a working royal, but very possibly not.The royal author warned that ignoring the potential of younger family members will result in a severely restricted institution that may fail to meet its public obligations.It's simply the possibility if you don't have any further working royals until such time as and when Charlotte, Louis, and obviously George, but we know what George's future is going to be, grow up, it will be a slimmed-down monarchy, simply because of the way things are proceeding, Mr Fitzwilliams concluded.That may be what people want, but it will mean a great deal less charitable work, and it will also mean it will be far less when it comes to patronages and so on. I mean, that balcony at Buckingham Palace one day is going to be pretty slim.In 10 years the Edinburghs will be in their 70s, William and Catherine will be in their 50s, and Princess Anne will be in her mid-80s. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter