James Alexander Philip Theo Mountbatten-Windsor, Viscount Severn (born 17 December 2007) is a member of the British royal family. He is the younger child and only son of Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and the youngest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He is 13th in the line of succession to the British throne.
Birth and christening
James was born by caesarean section at 16:20 UTC on 17 December 2007, at Frimley Park Hospital in Frimley, Surrey. The names James Alexander Philip Theo were announced on 21 December.
He was baptised on 19 April 2008, in the Private Chapel of Windsor Castle by David Conner, the Dean of Windsor and his godparents were Alastair Bruce of Crionaich, Duncan Bullivant, Thomas Hill, Denise Poulton and Jeanye Irwin. He wore a newly made replica of the royal christening gown originally used by Victoria, the eldest child of Queen Victoria, in 1840. It has been worn for most royal christenings since then, and the original gown has now been preserved.
James currently attends Eagle House School, a coeducational preparatory school near Sandhurst in Berkshire.
Official appearances
In April 2015, James and his sister, Lady Louise, participated in their first overseas engagement by accompanying their parents on a trip to South Africa. In September 2020, James participated in the Great British Beach Clean with his family at Southsea Beach, in support of the Marine Conservation Society.
Titles, styles, and honours
Titles and styles
James is styled as Viscount Severn. The title Viscount Severn acknowledges the Welsh roots of his mother’s family: the River Severn rises in Wales. Letters patent issued in 1917, and still in force, assign a princely status and the style of Royal Highness to all children of a monarch’s sons. However, when his parents married, Buckingham Palace announced that their children would be styled as the children of an earl, rather than as prince or princess. Thus, court communications refer to him as Viscount Severn. In 2020, the Countess of Wessex stated that James retained his royal title and style and will make a choice on whether to use it when he turns 18.
Honours
In June 2008, to recognise a visit by his father to the Canadian province of Manitoba, the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba-in-Council named a lake in the north of the province after James.