Lady Louise finishes exams as news of reduced grades puts university places at risk

Lady Louise finishes exams as devastating news regarding UK's A-Level grading sends shockwaves through those hoping to attend university

Lady Louise's dress: Lady Louise Windsor arrives for the Lord Mayor's reception for the National Service of Thanksgiving at The Guildhall on June 03, 2022 in London, England. The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II is being celebrated from June 2 to June 5, 2022, in the UK and Commonwealth to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952.
(Image credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Lady Louise finishes exams alongside other A-Level students across the UK, as those in charge of grading reveal a shocking 20% won't get into the degrees of their choice. 


As Lady Louise finishes exams today, it's likely the second youngest of the Queen's grandchildren,  breathing a sigh of relief. Now the wait is on to see whether the promising young student will choose to attend university or not. Lady Louise's life-altering decision, which her mother Sophie Wessex says is up to her, has probably already been made.

Not being a senior royal means that she has many options, like a gap year to mull it all over or to decide that perhaps she'd rather focus on one of her many talents. For that exact reason, her mother has previously said that Lady Louise is, "a lot more fortunate," than her cousins.

Lady Louise led an emotional tribute to Prince Philip that showcased her carriage riding skills, and recently Lady Louise's dress had royal fans claiming she's their style icon. So perhaps a more traditional university isn't even actually for her. Luckily, there are countless forms of tertiary education that aren't so old-fashioned.

Lady Louise Windsor rides The Duke of Edinburgh's carriage during the Official Platinum Jubilee Celebration "A Gallop Through History" performance

(Image credit: Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

The young royal attended St Mary's College in Ascot, which ranked 27th in the UK's best independent schools of 2021, per the best UK schools website. The school, which costs a gut-wrenching $17,290(£14,260) per term for borders and $12,300(£10,155) per term for day pupils, had 88% of its pupils receive A* grades in 2021.

Despite the odds being in her favor, news that this year there will be around 60,000 fewer top grades this summer, for students just like the young royal, is sure to cause great worry. As Lady Louise takes a well-deserved break, Dr. Jo Saxton, speaking at the Confederation of School Trusts’ annual conference explained that 2022 results will likely be lower than 2021’s - owing to the return of exams.

Lady Louise Windsor takes part in the 'Champagne Laurent-Perrier Meet

(Image credit: Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Dr Saxton, the chief regulator with Ofqual said, "schools are highly likely to find their results are lower than in 2021 when exams did not go ahead. Schools that get higher results than in 2021 will be few and far between, if any."

Former external consultant for Ofqual Dennis Sherwood also told the Sunday Times that the class of 2022 will have extra struggles. "The class of 2022 is unlucky in that they were born into this year’s cohort rather than being in the class of 2021 or that of 2020," he explained.

As it stands, many of her fans wonder why Lady Louise isn't a princess and why she isn't a working royal either. Only time will tell if that changes, as news that Duchess Camilla will be Queen Consort showed anything can happen. After all, Lady Louise Windsor became the Royal Family's 'secret weapon,' during a difficult year - so it's not so strange to think that Lady Louise could become a princess.

Aoife Hanna
Junior News Editor

Aoife is an Irish journalist and writer with a background in creative writing, comedy, and TV production.

Formerly woman&home's junior news editor and a contributing writer at Bustle, her words can be found in the Metro, Huffpost, Delicious, Imperica and EVOKE.

Her poetry features in the Queer Life, Queer Love anthology.

Outside of work you might bump into her at a garden center, charity shop, yoga studio, lifting heavy weights, or (most likely) supping/eating some sort of delicious drink/meal.