Prince Edward and Sophie’s son walked closely behind William, Kate and their three children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte , ten, and Prince Louis, seven, as they arrived with other royals for the service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle

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Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh and James, Earl of Wessex, attend the 2026 Easter Matins Service

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At present, royal commentators know little about if James (left) will follow Louise (right) in attening university, or step up as a working royal in the public arena. Pictured, the royal siblings at the Commonwealth Games at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre on August 2, 2022 in Birmingham

His father Prince Edward was presented with a pair of framed notices naming two Northwestern Manitoba lakes after his two children during his visit to the Canadian province of Manitoba in 2008, reported the Vancouver Sun.

James, full name James Alexander Philip Theo, was born at Frimley Park Hospital on 17 December 2007. Prince Edward described his newborn son at the time as ‘like most babies, rather small, very cute and very cuddly’, reported the BBC.

He appeared on his first overseas engagement in April 2015, aged just seven, with his then 11-year-old sister, as they joined their parents on a visit to the Ubunye Foundation in Grahamstown, South Africa.

Sophie acts as patron for the non-profit organisation, which helps rural communities become self-reliant, and said at the time: ‘It’s very important for my children to see immediately from the moment that they come to South Africa that it’s not just about wonderful, beautiful animals and beautiful scenery.

‘That there is a huge need to support, protect and nurture the communities that live around and within these beautiful surroundings,’ reported The Express.

But the strategy to give the Earl as ‘normal’ a childhood as possible has meant that, unlike many heirs of his generation, James has been able to pass unnoticed through day-to-day life, blending in amongst his peers.

Radley College, where he is currently studying, has provided a structured but relatively sheltered environment, allowing him to grow up without any expectation to perform for the cameras.

James’s heritage still carries lasting significance since he and Lady Louise became the first royal grandchildren to use the surname Mountbatten-Windsor in a tribute to their grandfather, the late Prince Philip.

The Earl further delighted his grandparents with his love for fly fishing, an activity he regularly enjoys while summering with his relatives in Scotland, and one famously beloved by his great-grandmother, the Queen Mother.

James is said to be ‘rather good at flipping burgers and liked to get fully involved whenever there was a family barbecue at Balmoral’, claimed a source.

The insider also told The Sun in 2019: ‘His enthusiasm for fly fishing delighted Her late Majesty because it’s a sport beloved of James’s great-granny, the late Queen Mother.

‘James was in the Dee as often as possible, waders up to his armpits. His mother Sophie, who is a keen fisherwoman herself, liked to stand with him. The Balmoral ghillies [gamekeepers] were impressed with both of them.’

Growing up living with his parents at the family home of Bagshot Park in Surrey, just 11 miles from Windsor Castle, meant James and his sister spent a significant amount of time with the late Queen and Philip.

Lady Louise has even been referred to as Prince Philip’s ‘favourite grandchild’, while James was said to be among the late Queen’s favourites, according to Tatler.

James has made few public appearances throughout his life, including his grandmother’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, her state funeral and Prince Philip’s memorial service in Scotland.

Whether he chooses university or immediate work, a private life or a semi-public one, will reveal much about the direction the monarchy expects its younger members to take.

If St Andrews becomes his next stop, the choice would be read not just as an academic decision but as a signal he could be steering towards his sister’s growing sense of duty.

If he opts for an entirely different route, the independence could reflect the ethos his parents championed since his birth: that he should be free from expectation, pressure and the weight of titles he never asked for.