“He’s Officially Grown Up…” James Wessex Celebrates His 18th Birthday Today — and His Biggest Royal Moments Tell a Story Few Have Noticed

James Wessex celebrates 18th birthday today and here’s his biggest moments

By Jasmine Carey, Royal Reporter

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James is celebrating his 18th birthday today

(Image: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)

James, Earl of Wessex, is celebrating a big day today as he turns 18. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh’s son will no doubt be spending his big day with his nearest and dearest, just over a week before Christmas.

Although a member of the Royal Family, James lives a fairly ordinary life. Splitting his time between boarding school and his family home, Bagshot Park, in Surrey, the royal is not often seen on the royal stage.

Despite this, here at the Express.co.uk we have looked at some of his best moments…

James was born in 2007 in Surrey

James was born on December 17, 2007 at 4.20pm, at Frimley Park NHS Hospital in Surrey. At birth, the royal weighed 6lbs 2oz. He was the late Queen Elizabeth II’s eighth grandchild, and was the youngest of all her grandchildren. At the time of his birth, James was eighth in line to the throne. His full name was chosen as James Alexander Philip Theo.

(Image: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

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James became the Earl of Wessex when his father became the Duke of Edinburgh in 2023. He will not be entitled to succeed his father to the Dukedom as it will go back to the Crown.

(Image: Getty)

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James was Queen Elizabeth II’s youngest grandson and has a close relationship with many of his cousins. There is a 30 year age gap between him and the late monarch’s eldest grandchild, Peter Phillips.
James has appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony since a young age
James has been at various royal events over the years and appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony a number of times. While he is rarely in the public eye, James is close with his royal relatives. It is believed he had a particularly special bond with the late Queen, with him and his sister Lady Louise Windsor spending plenty of time with her.