The Earl of Wessex will start university in September after receiving his A-Level results today, Buckingham Palace has announced. James, the son of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the youngest grandchild of the late Queen, will be attending the Royal Agricultural University in Gloucestershire to study Rural Land & Property Management.
The 18-year-old, who is the King's nephew, will not be taking a year out and will start there in a few weeks. Buckingham Palace did not share details of his A-Level results.
Palace statement on James's results
A statement from Buckingham Palace said: "Having achieved the grades he needed, The Earl of Wessex will be going to the Royal Agricultural University to study Rural Land & Property Management. He will head straight there without taking a year out."
It comes just weeks after his older sister Lady Louise Windsor, 22, completed her degree in English and international relations and graduated from the University of St Andrews. She is planning a mix of working, volunteering, and travelling before looking at her future career options.
Growing up away from the spotlight
Like his sister, James has grown up away from the public spotlight, only joining his royal relatives at the most important royal occasions. He was at the state funeral of his grandmother Elizabeth II, joined the rest of his cousins for a special vigil over her coffin at Westminster Hall and also attended the Coronation of his uncle, the King.
In recent years, he has also appeared publicly with his parents at events such as Trooping the Colour and the traditional Easter Sunday church service at Windsor Castle. In June he made his first appearance at Royal Ascot and was spotted in the royal box alongside his mother, Sophie.
It recently emerged that, like his sister before him who took a job in a garden centre, James has been earning money helping out on the farm on the Sandringham estate. He reportedly has been spotted mucking in, getting his hands dirty as well as driving tractors.
Royal expert's view on James
Royal expert Jennie Bond explained: "We know that James is an affable, popular young man who enjoys the outdoor life (especially at Balmoral). Fly fishing with his mum is a favoured activity and he is said to be pretty good at it. He enjoys the barbecues - he can flip a burger expertly! And, just like his sister, he has been brought up to mix with all sorts of people, and enjoys sleepovers and parties with friends."
"Sophie and Edward have been incredibly successful about keeping their children out of the limelight, James even more so than Louise. But by all accounts, he is an outgoing young man who will take his rightful place at official occasions, but will never be a full-time working royal."
He was born in December 2007 at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey - close to his parents' home of Bagshot Park. His full name is James Alexander Philip Theo - with his middle name Philip clearly a nod to his late grandfather Prince Philip. When he was born, he was eighth in line to the throne, but has now dropped down to 17th.
He previously had the courtesy title of Viscount Severn, but when his father Prince Edward became Duke of Edinburgh in March 2023, James was then styled by his father's previous title of Earl of Wessex.
Future plans and royal A-Level history
It's unclear what he or his older sister Louise, who is about to embark on a gap year after graduating from St Andrews University, will choose to do in the future. However, in 2020, around the time that Lady Louise was finishing school, mum Sophie opened up about her two children's education.
She previously told The Sunday Times: "We try to bring them up with the understanding they are very likely [going] to have to work for a living. Hence why 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."
Meanwhile, when it comes to royal A-Level results, some members of the family have fared better than others. Prince William studied for his A-Levels at Eton College, and when he received his grades in 2000, he achieved an A in geography, a B in art and a C in biology. His younger brother Prince Harry also attended the same school and achieved a B in Art and D in Geography at A-level.
The Princess of Wales went to Marlborough College in Wiltshire for her A-levels and her diligence resulted in As in Maths and Art, and a B in English. Meanwhile, the King left his school of Gordonstoun in 1967 with two A-levels - a B in History and a C in French. He then proceeded to Cambridge University, where he earned a 2:2 degree in history.
Princess Eugenie earned two As in Art and English Literature and B in History of Art, surpassing her older sister Princess Beatrice, who received an A in Drama and Bs in History and Film Studies.
Lady Louise, the youngest granddaughter of the late Queen, received her A-level results in 2022. Buckingham Palace didn't disclose Louise's results, but given that she went to the University of St Andrews - one of the country's top universities - standard entry grades are set at AAA and minimum entry grades of ABB for English - the course she studied - so it's safe to assume she did very well.
