James, Earl of Wessex, the son of Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, turned 18 on December 17, a milestone that entitles him to adopt the royal titles of His Royal Highness (HRH) and Prince. However, reports indicate that he has decided not to use them, following his mother's earlier comments.
According to the Mail's Richard Eden, James will not be 'following the example of his cousins' across the Atlantic. Unlike Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who insisted their children be known as Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, James is said to be declining the use of his titles.
Sophie had previously disclosed that she and Edward brought up their children, James and Lady Louise Windsor, with the understanding that they are 'very likely to have to work for a living'. She stated, 'Hence we made the decision not to use HRH titles. They have them and can decide to use them from 18, but I think it's highly unlikely.'
James and Louise attended a regular school and enjoyed normal activities like sleepovers and dog walking. Their cousin Prince Harry and his wife Meghan stopped using HRH titles after stepping back as senior royals in 2020. Another relative, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, also ceased using his titles following controversy.
Zara Tindall, daughter of Princess Anne, does not use HRH due to a 1917 declaration by King George V, which limits the title to male-line grandchildren of the sovereign. Representatives for the Earl of Wessex have been contacted for comment.
