Today, December 17, marks the 16th birthday of one of the Royal Family’s youngest faces, James, Earl of Wessex, the youngest child and only son of Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. Alongside his older sister Lady Louise, 20, James has been raised mostly outside the royal spotlight at the family home of Bagshot Park in Surrey.
The family are usually seen together at large-scale royal events, such as the Platinum Jubilee and the Coronation, however James is still a schoolchild, currently studying for his GCSEs.
His sister Louise is now a student at St Andrews University studying English, but although they are too young to be made working royals at the moment there has been consideration over whether James or Louise could take up such a role in the future.
Here Express.co.uk takes a look back at the Earl’s life in pictures as the young royal celebrates his milestone birthday with his family.
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James Alexander Philip Theo Mountbatten-Windsor was born via Caesarean section at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey on December 17, 2007.
His full name was announced to the world by his proud parents, Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, four days later on December 21.
Baby James was baptised on April 19 2008, in the private chapel at Windsor Castle.
(Image: Getty)
At the time of his birth in 2007, James was eight in line to the throne, however as of 2023 he has slipped down to 15th.
He was also born with the title Viscount Severn, however after his father was promoted to Duke of Edinburgh following the death of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, James inherited his previous title, the Earl of Wessex.
From 2011 to 2021, James attended Eagle House co-ed preparatory school.
(Image: Getty)
James and his older sister Louise, who was born in November 2003, have generally been kept out of the public eye as much as possible while growing up at the family home Bagshot Park in Surrey.
The siblings completed their first overseas royal engagement in 2015, when they joined their parents on a trip to South Africa.
In July 2019, when Louise and James were 15 and 11 respectively, Edward and Sophie also took them to Bristol Zoo for a charming visit to meet the animals.
(Image: Getty)
In 2022 James and Louise accompanied their parents to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and they were seen watching events at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC).
They took in games of netball and squash together, with their visit winning praise from royal fans.
Another royal child, Princess Charlotte, was also taken by Prince William and Princess Kate to the Games, as the royals look to pass on their love of sport to the next generation.
(Image: Getty)
