17/12/2025
Happy 18th Birthday to James, Earl of Wessex! 🎂❤️
Born on December 17, 2007, he is the son of Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and the youngest grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
Although he has been entitled since birth to be styled as a Prince, he has instead been styled as the son of an earl (and since 2023, the son of a duke), in accordance with his parents' wishes. When Prince Edward became Duke of Edinburgh, James began to use the title Earl of Wessex as a courtesy title, as is traditional for the eldest son of a duke.
Were he to use his birthright title, he'd be known as HRH Prince James of Edinburgh. But, as Sophie herself said, it's highly unlikely her children would choose to use their royal titles. Indeed, James' older sister Lady Louise did not take up use of her Princess title when she turned 18.
As he finishes his secondary schooling, we don't yet know where he will choose to go next. He may perhaps choose to study at St Andrews like his sister. Whatever his choice, we wish him luck as he begins his adulthood. 😊