With the children of former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, looking likely to retreat from public life, attention must turn to the younger generation of royals who may one day fill that void.
While the children of heir apparent Prince William are the most likely to feature prominently in the future, there are a host of other contenders who may step up into a more public role in the years to come.
Top of the list of are the children of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and potentially the grandchildren of the Princess Royal.
Lady Louise Windsor, James, Earl of Wessex, and Savannah Phillips are among the new breed of young royals. (Getty)Lady Louise
Lady Louise Alice Elizabeth Mary Mountbatten-Windsor, also known as Lady Louise Windsor, is the eldest child of Prince Edward, now the Duke of Edinburgh, and his wife Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, who were then known as the Earl and Countess of Wessex.
Her middle names honoured Princess Alice of Battenberg, who was Prince Philip’s mother, her grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and her great-grandmother, Queen Mary.
Louise was born on November 8, 2003, at Frimley Park Hospital, Surrey, after her mother suffered a placental abruption – a serious pregnancy complication where the placenta separates from the uterus, which can be deadly for both mother and baby.
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Lady Louise Windsor with her parents Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh after her birth in 2003. (Tim Graham Photo Library via Get)
She arrived via caesarean four weeks early before being transferred to the neonatal unit at St George’s Hospital in London. She was eighth in the line of succession at birth, but is now in 17th place.
As the granddaughter of the then reigning monarch and the child of a monarch’s son, she was entitled to use the titles of Princess and Her Royal Highness, however, her parents insisted she instead be styled ‘Lady’ until she was old enough to decide for herself.
Her mother explained the decision during a 2020 interview with The Sunday Times, which referenced both Lady Louise and her younger brother.
“We try to bring them up with the understanding that they are very likely to have to work for a living,” she said.
Louise’s parents decided she be styled as ‘Lady’, despite being entitled to a Princess title. (PA Images via Getty Images)
“Hence, we made the decision not to use HRH titles. They have them and can decide to use them from 18, but it’s highly unlikely.”
Louise was born with the condition esotropia, which causes one or both eyes to turn inwards. At two, she underwent an operation to correct the condition, which was unsuccessful, before undergoing further treatment in 2013.
After attending St George’s School, Windsor Castle, she moved to St Mary’s School Ascot for her final school years.
While at school, she took part in The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program started by her grandfather. She was also a Girl Guide and a keen horseback rider before taking up carriage driving, following the footsteps of her grandfather and mother.
Lady Louise is an avid carriage driver. She is pictured at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2024. (Getty)
She competes in events, including the Royal Windsor Horse Show, where she drove one of her grandfather’s carriages in front of the late Queen in 2022.
Since September 2022, Louise has been a student at University of St Andrews in Scotland, where her cousin Prince William met future wife Kate Middleton.
Weeks after starting her studies, she returned to mourn the Queen and joined her brother and cousins by her grandmother’s coffin ahead of her state funeral.
In 2024, a 30-second video uploaded to TikTok showed Lady Louise discussing a play she was thought to have been involved in. She is known to be a member of the university’s theatre society.
Lady Louise is a regular at the royals annual Christmas morning walk to and from church. (PA Images via Getty Images)
The viral video gave the first glimpse of what may be Lady Louise’s future plans, with many predicting she may follow in her father’s footsteps and embark on a career in the arts or entertainment world.
In 2024, Louise joined the British Army Reserve and in November 2025, she participated in a military parade at St Andrews.
While she stays largely out of the spotlight, she attended her uncle King Charles’ Coronation in May 2023, as well as the annual Christmas Day walk to church in Sandringham the past two years.
However, she opted out of this year’s Easter service at Windsor.
The British royal family’s line of succession. (Graphic: Polly Hanning)
Last month, Queen Elizabeth’s former press secretary Ailsa Anderson told Hello! Right Royal Podcast Louise has a reputation for being “grounded”, having reportedly worked in a canteen.
A photo earlier this year of her sitting on the floor of a busy train while working on her laptop went viral.
Louise, now 22, is reportedly in a relationship with fellow St Andrews student Felix da Silva, who spent some of his school years in Melbourne, Australia, where his mother lives.
James, Earl of Wessex
James, Earl of Wessex, then Viscount Severn, with his parents leaving hospital following his birth. (Tim Graham Photo Library via Get)
James Alexander Philip Theo Mountbatten-Windsor is the second child of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and the younger brother of Lady Louise.
He was born via caesarean at Frimley Park Hospital on December 17, 2007, and was originally given the courtesy title, Viscount Severn.
At birth, he was eighth in line to the throne, pushing his older sister down the list because of male primogeniture rules at the time. He is currently 16th in the line of succession.
His middle name Philip honours his grandfather while Theo honours his great-grandfather on his mother’s side.
A young James with his mother and cousin Peter Phillips during a family holiday in Scotland in 2010. (Getty)
He is the youngest grandchild of the late Queen and Prince Philip. Growing up, James and his older sister reportedly spent a great deal of time with their grandparents.
As the grandchild of a sitting monarch at the time of his birth, he is entitled to use the titles of Prince and His Royal Highness (HRH) under the 1917 Letters Patent, but is yet to do so.
Following his grandmother’s death in 2022, his parents became Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and James inherited his father’s former title, Earl of Wessex.
James attended St George’s School, Windsor Castle, before moving to Eagle House School and later Radley College in Oxfordshire, where he is currently completing his final year of studies.
James, back right, with his sister and cousins alongside their grandmother. (Princess of Wales)
He reportedly enjoys outdoor pursuits such as fishing and embraces spending time with the royals at their Balmoral estate in Scotland.
A 2019 article in The Sun quoted a source as saying the young royal impressed his grandmother and gamekeepers on the estate with his aptitude for salmon fishing.
“His enthusiasm for fly fishing delighted Her Majesty because it’s a sport beloved of James’s great-granny, the late Queen Mother,” the source said.
“James was in the [River] Dee as often as possible, waders up to his armpits. His mother Sophie, who is a keen fisherwoman herself, liked to stand with him.”
He reportedly enjoys outdoor pursuits such as fishing and embraces spending time with the royals at their Balmoral estate. (Getty)
James was also said to be “rather good at flipping burgers” and “liked to get fully involved whenever there was a family barbecue at Balmoral”.
When James was seven, his parents took him and his sister on an official visit to the Ubunye Foundation in South Africa, and in 2020, he joined his family at the Marine Conservation Society’s Great British Beach Clean.
While he has made fewer appearances at royal events than his older sister, he has appeared at Trooping the Colour; as the son of working members of the royal family, he appeared on the balcony at Buckingham Palace.
He attended the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022 and months later, joined his sister and cousins by standing vigil at the coffin ahead of his grandmother’s state funeral.
James arrives at the Easter Sunday church service in 2025. (In Pictures via Getty Images)
He attended King Charles’ Coronation, and is a regular at the royal family’s Christmas Day Service and Easter Sunday services.
This year, he attended the Easter Mass alongside his father and other family members.
In public, James does not usually wave or smile at the crowds, instead keeping his head down, reminiscent of a young Prince William.
Early reports indicate James, now 18, will follow his sister to university later this year, with St Andrews a top contender.
The teen joined his father at this year’s Easter Church Service. (UK Press via Getty Images)Savannah Phillips
Savannah Phillips is the eldest child of Peter Phillips and his former wife, Autumn Kelly.
She is the eldest grandchild of Princess Anne, and the eldest of Queen Elizabeth II’s 13 great-grandchildren.
Savannah was born on December 29, 2010, at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. At the time, she was 12th in line to the throne but has since slipped down to 20th spot.
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Savanna Phillips, pictured holding a program at Trooping The Colour 2017, is Peter Phillips’ eldest child. (WireImage)
As a young child, she kept mostly out of the public eye, but was occasionally photographed with her parents at events.
She made her debut on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in 2017 during Trooping the Colour.
By the following year, she had gotten a reputation as quite the character when she was seen ordering Prince George to be quiet before covering his mouth.
She made her most high-profile appearance later that year when she was among the flowergirls at the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank.
Savannah, second from left, helped amuse her second cousin Prince Louis during the Platinum Jubilee pageant in 2022. (Getty)
She was also often photographed with her parents and royal relatives at events such as the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
After her parents separated in 2020 and divorced a year later, she continued to accompany her father to royal events such as the Service of Thanksgiving for her great-grandfather Prince Philip in March 2022.
Later that year, she helped amuse a much younger and slightly unruly Prince Louis at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee pageant.
Savannah accompanied her future stepsister Georgina Sperling (centre) to the Easter Sunday service. (Getty)
On New Year’s Day 2026, she attended Cheltenham race day and a few months later was photographed leaving the Easter Sunday service at St George’s Chapel looking very grown up alongside her sister, father, his fiancée Harriet Sperling and her future stepsister, Georgina Sperling.
Isla Phillips
Isla Phillips is the second child of Peter Phillips and his former wife, Autumn Kelly.
She was born at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital on March 29, 2012, and was 13th in line to the throne at the time of her birth but is now 21st.
Isla, left, with her mum Autumn Phillips and cousin Mia Tindall in 2015. (Getty)
She was five when she joined her father, mother and older sister on the balcony during Trooping The Colour in 2017 and was also a flowergirl at the 2018 wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank.
When Prince Philip died in 2021, the royal family released a touching private photo taken by Catherine, Princess of Wales in 2018 which featured the late Queen and Prince Philip with their gaggle of great-grandchildren.
Isla was seen snuggled up close to her great-grandfather as she held her then newborn baby cousin, Lena Tindall.
Isla, now 14, stunned royal watchers during her Easter Sunday outing with her older sister and soon-to-be stepsister, with many noting her resemblance to Prince Philip, and her aunt, Zara Tindall, with whom she shares a close bond and love of horses.
Isla with her second cousin Prince George at the wedding of Princess Eugenie. (Getty)
Isla cuddled up to her great-grandfather while holding Lena Tindall. (AP)
Tindall told People in 2023, “Both my nieces ride and they’re really into it at the moment”.
Mia Tindall
Mia Tindall is the eldest child of Zara Tindall, nee Phillips, and Mike Tindall.
She is the grandaughter of the Princess Royal and great-granddaughter of the late Queen. She is currently 23rd in the line of succession.
Mia Tindall is the eldest daughter of Zara and Mike Tindall. (Getty)
Mia was born at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital on January 17, 2014. Her birth was announced by Buckingham Palace but her father announced her name on Twitter, now X.
Mia was seen out and about from a young age, attending horse trials her mother competed in.
She was often seen in the company of her uncle, Peter Phillips, and his then-wife Autumn, as well as their children.
When the Queen turned 90 in 2016, a portrait of the monarch with her great-grandchildren was released, in which Mia stole the show by posing with the Queen’s handbag.
She stole the show by posing with the Queen’s handbag during this 2016 portrait. (AFP/@Annie Leibovitz)
At the time, a palace source told People the adorable photo was not staged.
“She just did it. She just picked it up – it wasn’t staged. It was completely spontaneous.”
Mia was three when she was a flower girl at the 2018 wedding of Princess Eugenie.
She made her first appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony during Trooping the Colour in 2022.
Mia, front, with her cousin Savannah Phillips at the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank. (Getty)
She also attended the Platinum Jubilee pageant that same year, where her boisterous behaviour delighted the crowds.
Mia is known to be close to her cousins, Savannah and Isla Phillips, as well as her second cousins, including Prince William’s children Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte.
Mike Tindall has spoken about their tightknit crew in interviews and during his podcast The Good, The Bad & The Rugby, revealing the cousins and their children often get together.
The young royal at the Platinum Pageant in 2022. (Getty)
He once told Hello!, “We’ve got a good little crew of royal youngsters going on there now. They all seem to get on and enjoy each other’s company, and it’ll be good to watch them grow up together”.
She is thought to be especially close to the Wales children.
She was photographed holding hands with Prince Louis on Christmas Day 2023, during the traditional walk to Mass, while Princess Charlotte took Mia under her wing that same day.
A viral video shared on TikTok at the time showed Charlotte encouraging Mia to accept flowers from a well-wisher in the crowd.
She is thought to be especially close to the Wales children. (Getty)
Mia watches the horseracing on New Year’s Day 2026. (Getty)
Mia, now 12, has tried a number of sports, including football, swimming and horse riding.
She was recently photographed with her siblings and cousins at a New Year’s Day horseracing event.
Lena Tindall
Lena Tindall is the second child of Zara and Mike Tindall and was their much longed-for rainbow baby after they suffered two miscarriages.
Lena with her mother at a 2019 horse event. (Getty)
Lena was born on June 18, 2018, at Stroud Maternity Unit. At the time, she was 22nd in the line of succession, but is now 24th.
Lena was a newborn when she appeared in the famous photo with her great-grandparents, which was not released until three years later.
Like her sister, she was seen in public from a young age attending horse trials, and made her first public appearance in 2022 at the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, where she was seen chattering to Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
Since then, she has appeared at a number of royal events, including traditional Christmas Day and Easter Sunday church services.
Lena on Christmas morning 2025. (Samir Hussein/WireImage)
She also attended a horseracing event with her family on New Year’s Day 2026.
Lena, now seven, plays rugby for Minchinhampton RFC like and once took part in a 5km charity run with her dad. She is also learning to ride horses.
She is said to be a boisterous child, with her dad once saying she was “never quiet”.
Lucas Tindall
Lucas Philip Tindall is the third child and only son of Zara and Mike Tindall.
Lucas Tindall and his mum in 2022. (Getty)
He was born on March 21, 2021, on the bathroom floor of the family home within Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire after Zara’s labour progressed too quickly to get to hospital.
His middle name was a nod to his great-grandfather, Prince Philip, who died just weeks after his birth.
While Buckingham Palace announced the birth, it was his father who revealed his unusual arrival.
“A little baby boy arrived at my house!” Mike said on his podcast The Good, The Bad & The Rugby.
“Fortunately, the midwife who was going to meet us at the hospital wasn’t that far away, so she drove up, got there just as we’d assumed the [position].
“And then the second midwife arrived just after the head had arrived.”
In another break with tradition, Lucas was baptised in November of that year during a “double Christening” alongside August Brooksbank, the son of Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack.
The late Queen Elizabeth was among those at the ceremony at the Royal Chapel of All Saints in Windsor.
Lucas with sister Lena Tindall at the Burghley Horse Trials on September 7, 2024. (GC Images)
Like his sisters, he has grown up at horse trials. In 2024, he was spotted getting carried on the shoulders of his uncle, Peter Phillips.
Lucas cut an animated figure when he joined the rest of the family at a New Year’s Day horseracing event in 2025, where he was seen cheering from the stands.
He returned to the event this year, but is yet to join his family on any royal outings perhaps because of his boisterous nature.
During a 2023 interview with The Telegraph, his dad revealed Lucas, now five, was an energetic boy.
“He imagines himself as a ninja, and he just walks around with sticks whacking people,” dad Mike said of his son. (Getty)
“You can’t stop him. He wants physical contact. He wants to be wrestled. He imagines himself as a ninja, and he just walks around with sticks whacking people,” he said.
Lucas is currently 25th in the line of succession, but is likely to end up on a rugby field, with his father introducing him to the game, via the TV, when he was just 20 minutes old.
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