Prince Edward’s Son James Makes Infrequent Easter Appearance
Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie’s 17-year-old son, James, has truly grown up and is now noticeably taller than both his parents.
The Earl of Wessex made a rare public appearance alongside his parents during the royal family’s annual Easter Mattins service on Sunday, April 20, at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.
James, who received the Wessex earldom when his parents succeeded to the Edinburgh duchy from the late Prince Philip, was seen wearing a smart navy morning suit paired with a vibrant red tie. He entered the chapel alongside his father Edward, 61, and mother Sophie, 60, as well as cousin Princess Eugenie and her spouse, Jack Brooksbank.
Edward chose a gray suit for the occasion, while Sophie made a statement in a plum-colored jacket complemented by a matching fascinator. They were joined by Edward’s siblings, King Charles III, Prince Andrew, and Princess Anne, along with Queen Camilla, Sir Tim Laurence, and Sarah Ferguson.
Edward is the youngest son of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, who both passed away in 2022 and 2021, respectively. He married Sophie, a former publicist, in 1999. Together, they have James as well as a 21-year-old daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, who is currently attending St. Andrew’s University in Scotland, which likely explains her absence from the Easter celebrations.
Louise and James are the children of a prince and the late monarch’s grandchildren, and they technically possess “HRH” titles. However, Edward and Sophie decided against giving their children the formal titles of prince and princess.
“We aim to raise them with the understanding that they will likely need to work for a living,” Sophie explained to The Sunday Times in June 2020. “Therefore, we opted not to use HRH titles. They hold them and can choose to use them when they turn 18, but it’s quite unlikely.”
Sophie mentioned that she and Edward have always sought to provide Louise and James with “normal” upbringings.
“Not everyone’s grandparents live in a castle, but what matters most is not where you are or who they are,” Sophie continued in her remarks to the British newspaper. “When they are with the Queen, she is simply their grandmother.”
Louise especially formed a close bond with both Elizabeth and Philip through their shared love of equestrian activities.
“[My grandfather] has been incredibly involved in my [carriage] driving, which has been wonderful but slightly intimidating because he really is the one who practically invented the sport,” Louise reminisced during the BBC documentary Prince Philip: The Royal Family Remembers in 2021. “After each competition, he’d ask me how I did, and his eyes would light up; he just gets so animated when talking about it.”
