James Ogilvy facts for kids

James Robert Bruce Ogilvy was born on February 29, 1964. He is a British landscape designer and started a magazine called Luxury Briefing. He is a member of the extended British royal family. His mother is Princess Alexandra of Kent, and his father was Sir Angus Ogilvy. Queen Elizabeth II was his mother's first cousin. This means James is a second cousin to King Charles III. He is currently 58th in line to the British throne.

Early Life and Royal Connections

James Ogilvy was born on a Leap Year Day in 1964. This makes him a "Leapling," meaning his birthday only comes every four years! He was born at Thatched House Lodge in Richmond Park, Surrey.

He was one of four royal children born within nine weeks in 1964. The others were Prince Edward, Lady Helen Windsor, and Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones. James was christened by Arthur Michael Ramsey, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury. Queen Elizabeth II was one of his seven godparents. When he was born, he was 13th in line to the British throne.

Education and Career

James Ogilvy started his education at a "palace school" with his cousins. These cousins included Prince Edward, Lady Helen Windsor, and Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones.

Later, he attended Gibbs pre-prep school and Heatherdown Preparatory School with Prince Edward. After that, James went to Eton College and then the University of St Andrews. At St. Andrews, he earned a Master of Arts degree in History of art. He also completed an MBA at Cranfield University from 1990 to 1991.

He worked for a company called Barclays de Zoete Wedd (BZW) and later for a shipping agency in Edinburgh. In 1996, he founded and became the editor of Luxury Briefing, a magazine. He has also been a part of many company boards. Besides his work with the magazine, James Ogilvy is also a professional photographer and a landscape designer.

Family Life

James Ogilvy married Julia Caroline Rawlinson on July 30, 1988. Their wedding took place at St Mary's Church in Saffron Walden, Essex. Julia's father, Charles Frederick Melville Rawlinson, was a merchant banker. James and Julia have two children:

• Flora Alexandra Vesterberg was born on December 15, 1994, in Edinburgh, Scotland. She studied History of Art at the University of Bristol. She also earned a master's degree from the Courtauld Institute of Art. Flora now runs her own contemporary art agency. She married Timothy Vesterberg, a Swedish financier, on September 26, 2020, at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace. They renewed their vows the following year.
• Alexander Charles Ogilvy was born on November 12, 1996, in Edinburgh, Scotland. He attended Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.

James Ogilvy is also a godfather to Princess Eugenie. She is the younger daughter of his second cousin, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah, Duchess of York.

In 1997, while on holiday in Florida with his family, James Ogilvy had an unusual experience. He was swimming in the ocean and was bitten by a shark. He had several wounds on his leg and needed 30 stitches to heal.

Honours and Medals

James Ogilvy has received several medals to mark important royal events:

• February 6, 1977: Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal
• February 6, 2002: Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
• February 6, 2012: Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
• February 6, 2022: Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal
• May 6, 2023: King Charles III Coronation Medal