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.
