Royal fans caught a rare glimpse of Lady Louise, the Earl and Countess of Wessex's little girl, when she arrived to join her grandmother for a cruise around the Hebrides on Monday afternoon. The two-year-old, who has hardly been seen in public, was clearly excited as she and her mum arrived hand-in-hand at the gangplank of the Hebridean Princess.
With a wide brimmed hat covering her blonde locks and a zebra cuddly toy in her hand, the toddler was obviously eager to catch up with her doting gran. And her parents, Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex, seemed to be in equally high spirits, both sporting broad smiles as they stepped aboard the vessel.
Lady Louise gave the Windsor family quite a scare when she was delivered a month early in November 2003. The newborn baby spent the first few weeks of her life under observation in hospital and concerns about her health continued in the months that followed as she was scarcely seen in public. Those difficult times seemed far away as the rosy-cheeked youngster set sail for some quality time with her loved-ones this week, however.
Her Majesty has hired the converted car ferry, which comprises 30 luxurious cabins, for an eight-day cruise around the Outer Hebrides. The sovereign was seen waving warmly from a window when Viscount Linley and his family disembarked on the island of Islay on Monday morning. And the cruiser was soon bustling with activity once again, as Prince Andrew and his daughters Beatrice and Eugenie arrived along with the Wessexes at lunchtime.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
