King's nephew Earl of Wessex to study at Royal Agricultural University
King's nephew Earl of Wessex to study at Royal Agricultural University

The Earl of Wessex, the King's nephew, will attend the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester after achieving the grades needed for his chosen course, it is understood. James, 18, will study for a rural land and property management degree, joining thousands of teenagers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who received their A-level results.

Record A-level entries

The total number of A-level entries has topped 900,000 for the first time, with the population of 18-year-olds increasing this year. James's grades and the subjects he studied at the private Radley College in Oxfordshire have not been disclosed.

Course details

The earl's degree course is described on the university's website as teaching "… the fundamentals of rural professional practice as well as planning and development, law, valuation, building construction and management". It adds: "You will develop an essential understanding of sustainability and wider business management to enable you to provide effective advice about farm, estate and other rural businesses while gaining an overall understanding of the multi-functionality of rural practice."

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Family milestones

The earl's sister Lady Louise Windsor was watched by their parents, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, when she graduated from the University of St Andrews earlier this summer with a degree in English and international relations. She will be taking a gap year before exploring career opportunities, while her brother will start his degree course this autumn. Sophie and Edward spent part of the day their son's exam results were announced in Birmingham attending the European Athletics Championship, where they were hosted by Dame Denise Lewis, president of UK Athletics.

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