Queen's Granddaughter Faced Eye Problems as a Child, but Is Admired for Her Beauty at 21 — Photos

Queen Elizabeth's granddaughter overcame early eye problems to grow into a poised and admired young woman. At 21, the young royal has captured public admiration for her natural beauty and humility.

Lady Louise has led a life unlike many royals. Born prematurely and facing eye problems as a child, she grew up largely away from the spotlight, raised with values of humility and hard work.

Now, at 21, Lady Louise is not only celebrated for her beauty but has also drawn public praise for her down-to-earth attitude after working a near-minimum-wage job and quietly preparing to make history. Take a look at her transformation over the years, and see why people called her a beautiful role model.

A Royal Birth

Lady Louise, daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth's youngest son, Prince Edward, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, entered the world in a way that hinted at the resilience she would carry into adulthood.

Born prematurely by emergency Caesarean section in November 2003, her arrival came a month earlier than expected, with her father away on an official visit to Mauritius.

Weighing just four pounds nine ounces, she needed urgent care and was swiftly moved to the neonatal unit at St. George's Hospital in London, while her mother remained at Frimley Park Hospital for a difficult recovery.

The Countess, who had suffered a dangerous ectopic pregnancy just two years earlier, faced critical complications during the delivery. Both mother and child recovered, but their extended stay in separate hospitals made for a tense beginning to Lady Louise's life.

Despite her premature start, the young royal became a cherished addition to the royal family, as the seventh grandchild of Queen Elizabeth and the first to be born in an NHS hospital.

After 17 days of specialist care, Lady Louise finally joined her family at home in Bagshot Park, where her name — Louise Alice Elizabeth Mary Mountbatten-Windsor — was revealed.

Each part of her name honored different family members, from her paternal great-great-grandmother to her grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, and her maternal grandmother, Mary.

In a bid to shield her from media scrutiny, her parents decided she would not carry the title Her Royal Highness and instead would be known simply as Lady Louise.

As she grew, Lady Louise faced a medical condition known as exotropia, where one eye turns outward, potentially impacting vision if left untreated.

Buckingham Palace remained discreet on the details, but it was reported that she underwent an initial corrective surgery as a toddler, followed by a second operation at ten. By 2014, her appearance at public events suggested successful results from her treatment.

Inspired by her daughter's journey, the Countess of Wessex championed vision health, becoming a patron of Vision 2020 and a global ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, even traveling to India in 2013 to witness sight-saving surgeries.

Throughout her childhood, Lady Louise was raised away from the intense glare of royal life. Her parents were committed to providing as normal an upbringing as possible, encouraging her to grow up away from royal duties.

Yet, as she mingled with school friends, she eventually realized the unique role her family held. At a young age, she came home and asked her mother about her grandmother's role as queen, having heard it from classmates.

During an interview, her mother revealed that she gently confirmed the truth, though Lady Louise confessed at the time that she didn't fully understand what it meant.

Nevertheless, she shared a close bond with Queen Elizabeth, often spending time together horseback riding, a beloved activity for the two and a cherished tradition with her brother, James, Viscount Severn, by her side.

Stepping into Adulthood

As Lady Louise grew older, she embraced a life marked by humility, dedication, and a surprising level of independence for a member of the royal family. In 2022, she took an unexpected yet admirable step by working a near-minimum-wage job at a garden center during her summer break.

There, she handled tills, assisted customers, and even pruned plants, blending seamlessly with her co-workers and serving shoppers who were often stunned to see Queen Elizabeth's granddaughter behind the counter.

Her polite demeanor and modest attitude earned praise, with many commenting on her grounded nature. A shopper said, "I couldn't believe it was Lady Louise — I had to look twice. She is a really modest and sweet young woman who is polite and attentive to customers. She seemed to be loving the job."

The role, which offered around £6.83 an hour, exemplified her parents’ efforts to provide a balanced upbringing. Onlookers admired her willingness to "roll up her sleeves" in a typical teenage job, viewing her as a refreshing role model.

"She just got her amazing A-level results. Works hard, great role model," one social media user commented. Another wrote, "Wonderful to see her enjoying some independence before going away to school. Lots of new & exciting adventures await Lady Louise."

A third shared, "Young woman takes a real job to earn an honest wage and she gets mocked. Presumably they’d praise her if she was sitting at home in front of the TV all day."

After completing her A-levels, Lady Louise secured a place at St Andrews University to study English, a significant step that would also align with her growing interests in the military and public service.

By 2024, her dedication to service had evolved, with reports of her active involvement in the university's Officers' Training Corps.

This experience sparked a strong interest in the military, potentially setting her on a path to become the first female royal to serve since Queen Elizabeth's own historic role in World War II as a Junior Commander in the Auxiliary Territorial Service.

Her peers spoke of her enthusiasm for military training and her aspirations to serve the nation, revealing, "She talks about being very keen on a career in the military, serving the King and country. She is all about the Army Cadets and has fallen in love with it."

As Lady Louise transitioned into adulthood, the public also began to take notice of her beauty. "Beautiful young lady," one person shared on Facebook.

Another commented, "Absolutely precious young woman." A third typed, "She looks like a young Queen E." A fourth social media user added, "Such a beautiful young lady. Good luck in all that you do ☘️."

Lady Louise's journey from a premature birth with early health challenges to a poised young adult admired for her beauty and grounded values reflects a unique blend of royal duty and humility. Balancing a modest upbringing with ambitions to serve her country, she has become a refreshing figure within the royal family.