Prince Edward's son James could follow 'royal pattern' with future decision
Big life decisions lie ahead for 17-year-old
With how members of the royal family performed in their school exams in fans’ thoughts as A-level results are revealed across the UK, pundits have already turned their attention to the next royal likely to attempt the qualifications: the son of Prince Edward, James Wessex.
James, 17, is still a school pupil – and took his GCSE exams last year. Similar to when his sister, Lady Louise Windsor, took the tests herself, James’ GCSE grades have not been announced publicly.
However, there have been other patterns in how the royals have been educated. And one correspondent reckons that could mean a big change for James.
What is James Wessex’s future?
James has been permitted to use the courtesy title of Earl of Wessex after his father, Prince Edward, was made Duke of Edinburgh in 2023.
But despite the grandeur of such a title – and being the youngest nephew of King Charles – he remains a young man with many of life’s challenges and adventures ahead of him.
That includes moving on from the family home, and potentially going to university and having a job, too.
His sister is currently studying English at the University of St Andrews. She took A-levels in English, History, Politics, and Drama before starting her degree. And although her A-level results were not confirmed publicly after she sat her exams in 2022, it is believed the entry requirements for her course required her to bag three As at A-level.
Meanwhile, James and Louise’s mother, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, has previously indicated she feels her children may need to get jobs.
“We try to bring them up with the understanding they are very likely going to have to work for a living. Hence why we made the decision not to use HRH titles,” she told The Sunday Times in 2020.
But will this apply to James, and will a similar future beckon for him as for his sister?
‘There’s definitely a pattern for the royals’
Hello! magazine royal writer Danielle Stacey has assessed James’ situation. She notes how young royals have often explored more of the world before settling in to study for degrees.
Plans for future education are not likely to be released in advance.
She said: “The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh’s children have largely grown up out of the public eye, so plans for their future education are not likely to be released in advance. But there’s definitely a pattern for the royals to take gap years abroad before enrolling at university. Campuses in other cities are likely to afford them a greater deal of privacy than being in London, and means that they get the full student experience.”
Where does Prince Edward’s son James Wessex go to school?
Born in December 2007, James attended coeducational prep school Eagle House School in Berkshire between 2011 and 2021.
He became a pupil at public school, Radley College, in Oxfordshire. Annual fees for boarders at Radley College in recent years are said to have been £44,550 ($60k).
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