James, Earl of Wessex, will begin a three-year course at the Royal Agricultural University in September, after receiving his required A Level grades on Thursday. The 18-year-old, youngest child of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, will study Rural Land and Property Management at the school in Cirencester, Gloucestershire.
His exact grades have not been released by Buckingham Palace, but the entry requirements for the course were a minimum of 104 UCAS points across three A Levels, equivalent to grades B, C, C. The choice of course offers a direct professional route to becoming a chartered surveyor and managing rural estates, while providing an understanding of sustainability and wider business management.
Course includes work experience
The course includes a period of work experience to ensure all students get hands-on experience, as well as the option of a full placement year, so James will have plenty of options. His current summer job working as a farmhand on the King’s Sandringham Estate offers him the perfect starting point for his degree.
James will become the first member of the British Royal Family to head to the Royal Agricultural University, though he is following in the footsteps of his older sister, who also headed for university immediately after finishing school. She recently graduated from St Andrew’s University with a degree in English Literature and International Relations and will now undertake a gap year.
Private lives planned
Neither sibling has opted to take on royal titles, and both plan to continue living private lives despite their royal heritage. Sources have confirmed that James and Louise intend to pursue their own careers and have no plans to become working royals.
Zara Tindall was in Germany for the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 FEI World Championships, joined by Princess Amalia of the Netherlands and Queen Mary of Denmark, while Infanta Elena, the Spanish King’s eldest sister, was the guest of honour. The event marked two decades since Zara won individual eventing gold at the major equestrian event.
Princess Anne celebrated her 76th birthday yesterday, and notably was not working, as it was a Saturday. The King’s sister has earned praise for her work ethic, travelling the country and globe without fanfare in the name of service and royal duty. When asked in 2022 if she had thoughts on retirement, Anne said: “It isn't really an option. It really isn't written in, no. It isn't really an option, no, I don't think so.”
Burnham's Balmoral visit
Less than one month into his new job as Prime Minister of the UK, Andy Burnham and his wife, Marie-France van Heel, are preparing for a weekend at Balmoral Castle. Margaret Thatcher reportedly described it as a “purgatory”, while David Cameron rescued the “bliss” of walking the Aberdeenshire hills without his close protection team. Burnham, who went from Manchester Mayor to MP to Prime Minister in just a matter of weeks, has not had the benefit of building up months of rapport with the King, as he was appointed at the end of July.
On a non-royal note, the fifth heatwave of the year has been stifling, with aircon in Canary Wharf offices a saving grace. As scorching temperatures become the norm, it raises questions about when aircon will be incorporated into infrastructure, from trains to shops, pubs and buses, and whether royal households need to consider installing units in historic homes.
