James, Earl of Wessex, the son of Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, celebrated his 18th birthday on December 17. The milestone grants him the legal right to use the titles His Royal Highness (HRH) and Prince. However, reports indicate he will not adopt them, following his mother's earlier statements about her children's futures.
Sophie previously said that she and Edward decided not to use HRH titles for their children, James and Lady Louise Windsor, as they are 'likely to have to work for a living'. She noted that while the titles are available from age 18, she thinks it 'highly unlikely' they will be used. The couple have raised their children attending a regular school and enjoying ordinary activities like sleepovers and dog walking.
This decision contrasts with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who insisted their children be styled as Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Harry and Meghan stopped using their own HRH titles after stepping back from senior royal duties in 2020. Another royal, Prince Andrew, also ceased using his HRH, Duke of York, and Prince titles amid controversy over his association with Jeffrey Epstein.
Zara Tindall, daughter of Princess Anne, does not use HRH either, but that follows a tradition from King George V's 1917 declaration that only male-line grandchildren of the sovereign hold such styles. A representative for the Earl of Wessex has been contacted for comment.
