18 facts about James, Earl of Wessex, as he celebrates his milestone birthday

by · Royal Central

As James, Earl of Wessex, celebrates his 18th birthday – here are 18 facts about the young royal.

  1. Full Name and Birth: James Alexander Philip Theo Mountbatten-Windsor was born on 17 December 2007 at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey to Prince Edward and Sophie, the then Earl and Countess of Wessex.
  2. Sibling: He is the younger brother of Lady Louise Windsor but remains ahead of her in the line of succession.
  3. Succession Act: If he had been born after 2011, following the Succession to the Crown Act, he would have been placed behind his sister, ending the centuries-old rule of male precedence.
  4. Baptism: At his christening, James became the first royal to wear a hand-made replica of the original christening gown first worn by Victoria, Princess Royal, the eldest child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
  5. Godparents: His godparents include Alastair Bruce, 5th Baron Aberdare; Duncan Bullivant; Denise Poulton; Jeanye Erwin; and Tom Hill.
  6. Youngest Grandchild: James is the youngest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
  7. Royal Lineage: Through his father, he is the great-grandson of King George VI, the great-great-grandson of King George V, the great-great-great-grandson of King Edward VII, and the great-great-great-great-grandson of Queen Victoria.
  8. Education: James currently attends Radley College in Oxfordshire, where he is taking A-levels, balancing his studies with a relatively private upbringing.
  9. Titles: Upon his father’s elevation to Duke of Edinburgh in 2023, James became the Earl of Wessex at age 15, though he will not inherit the Dukedom of Edinburgh.
  10. Residence: He lives with his family at Bagshot Park in Surrey, enjoying a country-style upbringing alongside his royal duties.
  11. Royal Style: As a child of a monarch’s son, James is entitled to the style of His Royal Highness Prince James of Wessex. However, Buckingham Palace announced at his parents’ 1999 wedding that their children would be styled as the children of an earl, giving them a more private status.
  12. Choice of Title: Sophie, Countess of Wessex, has said that James retains the right to his royal title and may choose whether to use it now that he has turned 18.
  13. Early Honour: When he was just five months old, a lake in Manitoba, Canada, was named after him, a gift mirrored for his elder sister, Lady Louise.
  14. Line of Succession: As of December 2025, James is 16th in line to the throne.
  15. Public Appearances: James made his first public appearances at royal events as a baby, though his early childhood was largely private.
  16. Royal Engagements: He has appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony for Trooping the Colour and other significant family celebrations from a young age.
  17. Sibling Bond: He shares a close relationship with his sister, Lady Louise, and they are frequently seen together at family gatherings and public events.
  18. Countryside Pursuits: Despite his royal lineage, James has been encouraged to pursue interests beyond formal duties, particularly enjoying the countryside and outdoor activities associated with his family estates.