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Kate Middleton chooses sheltered Lady Louise, 7, as bridesmaid

William and Kate: How happy will they be?

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Kate Middleton has asked Prince Edward’s seven-year-old daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, to be her bridesmaid.

Kate is set to marry Prince William, the second in line to the British throne, on Friday, April 29, and Louise is the first girl to be asked to accompany the bride down the aisle.

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The wedding will be a rare public outing for Louise, who has been kept out of the spotlight by her parents Edward and Sophie because she was born with exotropia, a rare condition that causes a severe squint.

Louise is said to be “ecstatic” at the invitation to be a bridesmaid, and is eagerly anticipating the big day.

“Sophie and Edward are both really pleased to see how happy this has made Lady Louise,” a royal source told the UK’s Daily Mail. “She really is the loveliest, kindest, little thing.

“Edward and Sophie have always been terribly protective of her but she is now at school. They know she is going to have to get used to being in the limelight.”

Related: Prince William announces his engagement

William, 28, and Kate, 29, are also believed to have asked Viscount Linley’s eight-year-old daughter Margarita and their friends Rose Astor and Hugh Van Cutsem’s three-year-old daughter Grace to be bridesmaids.

Kate’s 26-year-old sister Pippa will reportedly be the maid of honour, bringing the total number of bridesmaids to four.

Your say: Do you think Prince Edward and Sophie have made the right decision allowing Lady Louise to be Kate Middleton’s bridesmaid when she has been so sheltered for most of her life?

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