James Mountbatten-Windsor, Earl of Wessex

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

James Mountbatten-Windsor, Earl of Wessex; Credit – Wikipedia

James Alexander Philip Theo Mountbatten-Windsor was born on December 17, 2007, at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey, England. He is the second child of the two children of Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh and Sophie Rhys-Jones, The Duchess of Edinburgh. As the eldest son of an Earl, he used his father’s subsidiary title, Viscount Severn. When James’ father was granted the title The Duke of Edinburgh in March 2023, James then used Earl of Wessex as his courtesy title.  James was admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London on January 24, 2008, for a minor allergic reaction and was released from the hospital in a few days.

James has one elder sister:

photo: Daily Mail/Camera Press

Like his sister before him, James was christened in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle by the Dean of Windsor on April 19, 2008. He was the first person christened wearing a new replica of the original christening gown worn by royal babies since 1840.

James’ godparents:

  • Denise Poulton (a friend of his mother and trustee of the Wessex Youth Trust)
  • Jeanye Erwin (his mother’s former flat-mate)
  • Alastair Bruce of Crionaich
  • Duncan Bullivant (a school friend of his father)
  • Thomas Hill

The titles and styles of James and his sister Louise are often disputed. Under the terms of King George V’s Letters Patent of 1917, as grandchildren of the sovereign in the male line, they are Prince and Princess of the United Kingdom, with the style of Royal Highness. However, at the time of Edward and Sophie’s marriage, a press release was issued from Buckingham Palace. Along with announcing Prince Edward’s new title as Earl of Wessex, it stated that The Queen, with the agreement of Edward and Sophie, had decided that any children born to them should not be given the style of Royal Highness, but instead be given courtesy titles as children of an Earl. In 2023, when his father was granted the title Duke of Edinburgh, James began to use his father’s secondary title Earl of Wessex.

As they would already be well down the line of succession (Prince Edward was 7th in line at the time of his marriage), it is believed that this was done to alleviate some of the ‘burdens’ associated with having a royal title and to allow them somewhat more of a normal life. However, many argue that the press release does not supersede the terms of the 1917 Letters Patent and that Louise and James are, in fact, Prince and Princess. In June 2020, during an interview with the Sunday Times Magazine, James’ mother stated that she and her husband have raised their children with the intent that will have to work for a living as opposed to being working royals. She continued: “Hence we made the decision not to use HRH titles. They have them and can decide to use them from 18, but I think it’s highly unlikely.”

 

James has joined his parents on the balcony following the Trooping the Colour ceremonies and is often photographed with the family at more informal events, such as the Windsor Horse Show, and while attending church on the Sandringham Estate.

James attended St. George’s School, Windsor Castle in Windsor, England. The school was originally founded to educate the choirboys of the Choir of St. George’s Chapel. Now it also has over 400 boys and girls who attend as day students. He now attends Eagle House School, a coeducational preparatory school in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England.

James with his family on the Buckingham Palace balcony during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations for his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, 2022

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