Prince Edward and Sophie’s Son James Turns 18 — and Now Faces a Major Decision

**Prince Edward and Sophie’s Son James Turns 18 and Faces Major Decision**

The Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward and Sophie’s son, James, turns 18 and contemplates an important royal decision that could shape his future.

James, Earl of Wessex, officially marked his 18th birthday on December 17, sparking discussions about his potential adoption of royal styling as His Royal Highness.

As the child of a monarch’s son, James is entitled to the title of prince and can use the distinguished designation of His Royal Highness under the 1917 Letters Patent.

Unlike his cousins Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who have utilised princess titles from birth, James’ parents, Prince Edward and Sophie, opted for a different approach.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh allowed their children, including James and Lady Louise Windsor, the flexibility to choose whether to embrace royal titles upon reaching adulthood.

While Lady Louise, who turned 18 in November 2021, has not publicly embraced royal titles or the styling of Her Royal Highness, the decision lies with the siblings themselves.

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, explained their rationale in a 2023 interview, emphasising that the children are raised with the understanding that they may need to work for a living, leading to their decision against immediate royal titles usage.

James, who currently attends Radley College, and Lady Louise, a student at the University of St. Andrew’s, are not expected to undertake full-time working royal duties like their relatives from Prince William’s lineage.

The siblings often accompany their parents to significant royal events, but their focus remains on education and personal development rather than royal obligations.

James inherited the Earl of Wessex title after Prince Edward assumed the Duke of Edinburgh title, culminating in a poignant connection between the father and son as the title passed down through generations.

Though James is younger than Louise, he supersedes her in the line of succession to the throne. The Succession to the Crown Act 2013 altered the order, prioritising birth order over gender.

As James contemplates this significant milestone and potential royal future, the Earl of Wessex faces a pivotal juncture that could shape his path within the British Royal Family.