James, Earl of Wessex, marked a milestone in his young life this
Christmas as he made his first public appearance since turning 18,
joining the Royal Family for the traditional walk to St Mary
Magdalene Church at Sandringham.
Born on 17 December 2007 at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey,
James Alexander Philip Theo Mountbatten‑Windsor entered the world
as Viscount Severn, a courtesy title reflecting his place in the
peerage as heir to his father’s earldom. As the youngest of Queen
Elizabeth II’s grandchildren, he was eighth in line to the throne
at birth; changes in succession have since moved him down to
fourteenth.
James’s upbringing has been shaped by a balance of royal
tradition and relative normalcy. Though all male-line grandchildren
of a sovereign are entitled to the style of Prince and the prefix
His Royal Highness, Buckingham Palace decided at his parents’
marriage that James and his sister, Lady Louise, would be styled as
children of an earl. The choice was intended to allow a grounded
upbringing, and it is widely expected that James will continue to
live without HRH titles.
In 2023, when his father was granted the Dukedom of Edinburgh by
King Charles III, James assumed the courtesy title Earl of Wessex,
a title long associated with his father’s public service.
Over the years, James has appeared sparingly in public alongside
his parents, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, including Trooping
the Colour and national commemorations. Christmas at Sandringham,
however, has historically been one of the few occasions when the
wider family – including younger and non-working members – is
visible to the public.
This year, James joined King Charles, Queen Camilla, his sister
Lady Louise, and other family members for the short walk from
Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene Church. The event provided a
rare glimpse of the youngest adult member of the Royal Family in a
public setting, walking among relatives and greeting well-wishers
gathered along the estate.
Away from ceremonial duties, James continues his education at
Radley College in Oxfordshire, where he is completing A‑levels,
preparing for the next stage of life as he transitions into
adulthood. His appearance at Sandringham, though informal,
represents a small but significant step in his introduction to
public life as a young adult within the Royal Family.
