Lady Louise Windsor drives the carriage that belonged to her grandfather Prince Philip

Lady Louise Windsor was spotted driving the carriage that belonged to her late grandfather Prince Philip in the grounds of Windsor Castle today.  

Prince Edward and Sophie the Countess of Wessex’s daughter, 17, could be seen taking the reigns and participating in the hobby that she shared with the Duke of Edinburgh, who was instrumental in helping to establish carriage driving as a sport in Britain. 

The teenager, who was joined by an aide, wore her blonde hair in a low ponytail and cut a casual figure in beige trousers and a navy polo top – putting safety first in a protective helmet. 

Her mother Sophie Wessex looked in high spirits as she also made the most of the fresh summer air, opting for an equally relaxed look in jeans, a short-sleeved t-shirt and gilet, completing her ensemble with a cap. 

Elsewhere, Prince Andrew, 61, sported a striped rugby shirt with royal insignia as he went for an early morning horse ride with two grooms. 

Lady Louise Windsor (pictured), 17, was spotted out driving the carriage that belonged to her late grandfather Prince Philip in the grounds of Windsor Castle today.

Following his retirement, Philip (pictured, with an aide) had more time to enjoy carriage-driving, which was one of his favourite past-times since the 1970s

Following his retirement, Philip (pictured, with an aide) had more time to enjoy carriage-driving, which was one of his favourite past-times since the 1970s

Sophie Wessex also headed out in the fresh summer air, opting for an equally relaxed look in jeans, a short-sleeved t-shirt and gilet, completing her ensemble with a cap (pictured)

Sophie Wessex also headed out in the fresh summer air, opting for an equally relaxed look in jeans, a short-sleeved t-shirt and gilet, completing her ensemble with a cap (pictured)

Donning dark sunglasses, a helmet, and riding slacks the Duke of York, who lives at the nearby Royal Lodge, looked at ease as he enjoyed the June sunshine. 

The Queen’s second son recently became a grandfather for the first time when Princess Eugenie welcomed son August Brooksbank in February. He’ll soon welcome his second grandchild as Princess Beatrice is expecting.

Lady Louise Windsor previously paid a touching tribute to her grandfather Prince Philip when she was seen out carriage driving on the morning of his death on April 9. 

The young royal and her mother Sophie Wessex, who are both avid carriage drivers, competed in the Champagne Laurent-Perrier Meet of the British Driving Society in Berkshire in May last year. 

Prince Andrew, 61, sported a striped rugby shirt with royal insignia as he went for an early morning horse ride with two grooms (pictured)

Prince Andrew, 61, sported a striped rugby shirt with royal insignia as he went for an early morning horse ride with two grooms (pictured)

The teenager, who was joined by an aide, wore her blonde hair in a low ponytail, cut a casual figure in beige trousers and a navy polo top - putting safety first in a protective helmet

The teenager, who was joined by an aide, wore her blonde hair in a low ponytail, cut a casual figure in beige trousers and a navy polo top – putting safety first in a protective helmet

Lady Louise Windsor and her mother Sophie Wessex (pictured, today) are both avid carriage drivers

Lady Louise Windsor and her mother Sophie Wessex (pictured, today) are both avid carriage drivers

Sophie cut a relaxed figure as she headed out early to make the most of the summer sunshine this morning

Sophie cut a relaxed figure as she headed out early to make the most of the summer sunshine this morning

Donning dark sunglasses, a helmet, and riding slacks the Duke of York, who lives at the nearby Royal Lodge, looked at ease as he enjoyed the June sunshine (pictured)

Donning dark sunglasses, a helmet, and riding slacks the Duke of York, who lives at the nearby Royal Lodge, looked at ease as he enjoyed the June sunshine (pictured)

REINING PASSION: PRINCE PHILIP AND CARRIAGE DRIVING

Prince Philip, 95, turned to carriage racing after he decided to stop playing polo at the age of 50.

The Duke of Edinburgh practised racing carriages in Norfolk before pulling together a committee to decide on official rules for a sport.

He went on to represent Great Britain, taking part in several European and World Championships, as well as competitions in Hungary, Poland and the Netherlands. 

The sport involves either two or four-wheeled carriages pulled by a single horse, a tandem or four-in-hand team.

Different contests include dressage, time trials and a challenging obstacle course. 

Carriage driving can also be simply a relaxed way of enjoying the countryside. 

Lady Louise was taught at a young age, and inherited a love of carriage driving from her grandfather, Prince Philip. 

Following his retirement, Philip had more time to enjoy carriage-driving, which was one of his favourite past-times since the 1970s.

He raced carriages near Norfolk before going on to represent Britain at several world and European championships.

In May 2017, Prince Philip spoke about how he took up carriage driving when he stopped playing polo at the age of 50. 

He said: ‘I was looking round to see what next, I didn’t know what there was available. 

‘And I suddenly thought, well, we’ve got horses and carriages so why don’t I have a go.

‘So I borrowed four horses from the stables in London, took them to Norfolk and practised and thought – why not?’

The Duke described how he convened a committee of equestrian experts to come up with a set of international rules for the fledgling sport of carriage driving.  

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk