Meet James, Viscount Severn: Prince Edward and Sophie’s youngest son is the ‘hidden Royal’
When Prince Edward and his wife Sophie were given their new titles of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh earlier this year, another royal was also given a promotion.
The couple’s youngest child, James, formerly Viscount Severn, inherited his father’s subsidiary title, and is now known as the Earl of Wessex.
In recent times, James has been seen by the public at major royal events, however, for many, little is known about the 15-year-old, who lives at Bagshot Park, a 17th-century estate near Windsor, with his parents.
The 15th in line to the throne, and the youngest grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth II, he was born James Alexander Philip Theo Mountbatten-Windsor in Surrey on December 17, 2007.
When he was born, James (who was described by his father as ‘very cute and very cuddly’) was eighth in line to the throne, ahead of his older sister Lady Louise Windsor, 19.
James (pictured leaving Westminster Abbey during the funeral of Queen Elizabeth on September 19, 2022) has made several public appearances in recent times
Prince Edward and his son James Viscount Severn attend the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church on December 25, 2022
Since then, the introduction of the Succession to the Crown Act means that male children no longer overtake the female siblings when it comes to the order of succession.
The Act was passed in 2013, and only applies to those born after October 28, 2011.
As such, James’s place in the order of succession remains ahead of Louise and was unchanged following the birth of Zara Tindall’s third baby Lucas, last year.
This is because while Zara’s mother Princess Anne is older than Edward, she was also born before the Act came into force.
James, who was reportedly one of the Queen’s favourite grandchildren, was baptised in the Private Chapel of Windsor Castle in April 2008.
When Prince Edward tied the knot with Sophie in 1999, they made the decision that any future children would have courtesy titles rather than being called Prince or Princess, which the late monarch agreed with.
James’ styling as Viscount Severn (one of his father’s subsidiary titles) is believed to have been chosen to acknowledge Sophie’s Welsh heritage because the name is taken from the River Severn in Wales.
The now-Edinburghs wanted their children to have as normal a life as possible, given the circumstances, without the burden of such titles.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, James, Viscount Severn and Lady Louise Windsor react during the Platinum Party at Buckingham Palace on June 4, 2022 as part of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations
Prince Edward, Lady Louise Windsor, James Viscount Severn, Sophie, Duchess of Kent, on the balcony at Buckingham Palace during the annual Trooping the Colour Ceremony on June 15, 2013
This desire is largely why relatively little is known about James and Louise, although Sophie has shared some details about her family life, including that they enjoy barbecues, which Prince Edward is ‘very good’ at.
Speaking to the Times in 2020, when asked how she tries to give the children a ‘normal life’, the then-Countess asked ‘what’s normal?’ before revealing that they attend ‘regular schools’ (at the time, both were at independent schools).
According to reports, James has been educated at two independent, co-educational prep schools, nearby to his home – Eagle House School and St George’s School.
However, both these establishments only teach pupils until the age of 13, meaning he likely began attending a new school a couple of years ago.
Speaking about her children’s lives, Sophie added that they enjoy sleepovers and parties with friends, and walking their dogs.
Sophie and Edward pictured with baby James as he makes his first appearance at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey in 2007
While Sophie (pictured, left) admits that ‘not everyone’s grandparents live in a castle’, she says her children (James, centre and Louise, right) live as normal a life as possible
‘I guess not everyone’s grandparents live in a castle, but where you are going is not the important part, or who they are,’ Sophie added. ‘When they are with the Queen, she is their grandmother.’
She also revealed that they were bringing up the children to understand that ‘they are very likely to have to work for a living’.
This led into the decision that they don’t use HRH titles.
‘They have them and can decide to use them from 18, but I think it’s highly unlikely,’ she added.
While Lady Louise is considered academic (her A-level grades were kept a secret, but she was admitted to St Andrews University to study English, which requires AAA results), less is known about James’ scholarly aptitude.
Sophie has described her daughter as ‘quite clever’ saying in the past that she believed she would go to university, then adding ‘James I don’t know’.
Speaking in 2016 about her attempts to keep her son and daughter out of the public spotlight while they are children, Sophie told the BBC: ‘Certainly when they were very young we tried to keep them out of it.
