The Earl of Wessex is preparing for a new chapter in his life as he gets ready to head to university .
On Thursday morning, James received his A-Level results, like thousands of other teenagers around the country . However, unlike most, there’s been a lot of interest in what his grades mean for his future plans.
Now, the next step for the seventeenth in line to the throne, has been shared and it shows he’s taking a keen interest in one of the big passions in the life of his mum, the Duchess of Edinburgh.
For James is is expected to study rural land and property management.
The teenage earl is set to enrol at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester in Gloucestershire this autumn.
His interest in agriculture could have been sparked by his mother, Sophie, who is patron of several Agricultural and Farming Shows around the country. The Duchess of Edinburgh is known to take a great interest in farming and support for the farming community and economy.
It’s not known what grades James achieved to win a place at the college which has a strong reputation.
He’s beginning his university career as his older sister, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, concludes hers.
Louise, 22, graduated from St. Andrews University earlier in the summer with her parents watching proudly as she received her degree at St. Andrews in Scotland.
Lady Louise was presented with her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award the following day by her father, Prince Edward.
It’s believed Louise is now set to take a gap year with her boyfriend, Felix da Campo Silva, expected to travel with her for part of it at least.
Meanwhile, Edward and Sophie have been continuing with a packed royal diary and spent several days at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow recently, enjoying the final competitions alongside the Prince and Princess of Wales who attended the penultimate part of the contest along with their children, George, Charlotte and Louis.
Prince George has his own big change coming in September. The prince, who turned 13 in July, will head to Eton to begin his secondary education after completing his final year at his prep school, Lambrook.
Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louise, 8, will continue at the Berkshire school which they have attended since 2022.
Prince William revealed that George has already had a taste of boarding as Lambrook allows pupils to overnight at the school as often as they choose.
Eton, like Lambrook, is about 20 minutes away from the family home of the Prince and Princess of Wales at Forest Lodge on the Windsor estate.
And James, Earl of Wessex won’t be far from familiar faces as he starts his new term at Cirencester. The Royal Agricultural University isn’t far from the home of his aunt, Princess Anne, who lives at Gatcombe Park. Her two children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, have homes on the estate as well. And the country house loved by King Charles is just down the road. The King still spends weekends at Highgrove in Gloucestershire, another nearby stop should James need it.
