James, Earl of Wessex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Earl of Wessex
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James at the coronation of Charles III
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James Alexander Philip Theo Mountbatten-Windsor, Viscount Severn
17 December 2007 Frimley Park Hospital, Surrey, England
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| Family | House of Windsor |
James Alexander Philip Theo Mountbatten-Windsor, known as James, Earl of Wessex, was born on December 17, 2007. He is the only son and younger child of Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. He is also the youngest nephew of King Charles III.
When James was born, his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II was the Queen. At that time, he was 8th in line to become the British monarch. Today, he is 16th in line. From his birth until 2023, he was known as Viscount Severn.
Contents
Early Life and Family
James was born on December 17, 2007, at 4:20 PM at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey, England. He was born by a special surgical delivery called a caesarean section. His father, Prince Edward, is the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His mother, Sophie, worked in public relations before she married into the royal family in 1999.
James's full name, James Alexander Philip Theo, was announced a few days after his birth. He has one older sister, Louise.
James was baptized on April 19, 2008. The ceremony took place in the private chapel at Windsor Castle. His godparents included Alastair Bruce, Duncan Bullivant, Thomas Hill, Denise Poulton, and Jeanye Irwin. His grandparents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, were also there.
Education
James attended Eagle House School, a school for both boys and girls, near Sandhurst, Berkshire. He went there from 2011 to 2021. After that, he joined Radley College, a private school in Oxfordshire.
Public Appearances
James made his first public appearance in 2016 at Trooping the Colour. This is a special parade to celebrate the monarch's official birthday. He also attended Trooping the Colour in 2022.
In September 2020, James joined his parents to help clean up Southsea Beach in Hampshire. They were supporting the Marine Conservation Society, which works to protect the oceans.
After a special service for his grandfather, Prince Philip, on March 29, 2022, James attended other important events. These included the Platinum Jubilee National Service of Thanksgiving and the Platinum Party at the Palace in June 2022. These events celebrated Queen Elizabeth II's 70 years as monarch.
On September 17, 2022, after his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II passed away, James joined his sister Louise and six cousins. They stood guard for 15 minutes around the Queen's coffin while it was on display at Westminster Hall. On September 19, he attended her state funeral with other family members.
On May 6, 2023, James attended his uncle Charles III's coronation at Westminster Abbey. He was there with the rest of the royal family. The next day, they went to the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle.
On March 31, 2024, James attended the Easter Mattins Service at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. He was with his mother and father. He was the only younger royal family member to attend this service.
Titles and Honours
Titles and Styles
When James was born, he was given the courtesy title of Viscount Severn. A courtesy title is a title used by politeness, not by law. This title was used because he was the heir apparent (the person next in line) to his father's earldom. The name "Severn" connects to his mother's family, who have Welsh ancestry.
According to rules from 1917, all male grandchildren of a monarch automatically become a prince of the United Kingdom. This means James could have been called Prince James of Wessex (and now Prince James of Edinburgh). However, when his parents married, Buckingham Palace announced that their children would use the titles of an earl's children instead of prince or princess. In 2020, James's mother confirmed that he and his sister still have the right to use royal titles when they turn 18 if they choose to.
In March 2023, James's father became the Duke of Edinburgh. At that time, James started to be known by the courtesy title of Earl of Wessex. This is now the main family title. The Dukedom of Edinburgh is a life peerage, which means it will end when his father passes away. However, James is expected to inherit his father's other titles, such as Earl of Wessex, Earl of Forfar, and Viscount Severn, because these are hereditary peerages (titles passed down through families).
Honours and Decorations
In June 2008, a lake in the northern part of the Canadian province of Manitoba was named Lake James. This was done to honor his father, Prince Edward's visit to the province. James's sister, Louise, also had a lake named after her, Lake Louise, in the same province.
See also
In Spanish: Jacobo Mountbatten-Windsor para niños
- List of courtesy titles in the peerages of Britain and Ireland
