James, Earl of Wessex, passes A-levels, to study land management

The Story in Brief

James, the 18-year-old Earl of Wessex and youngest child of Prince Edward and Sophie, has passed his A-levels and will begin university this autumn. He will study rural land and property management at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, without taking a gap year. Buckingham Palace has not disclosed his specific grades, but admission requires at least 104 UCAS points, equivalent to BCC. James spent part of the summer working as a farmhand on his uncle King Charles III's Sandringham estate, where he drove tractors and impressed staff with his willingness to work hard.

His older sister, Lady Louise Windsor, also chose not to use royal titles upon turning 18. James and Louise were given the option by their parents to adopt HRH styling, but neither has done so. The palace's announcement referred to James simply as the Earl of Wessex, aligning with his parents' wish to give both children a normal upbringing and a strong work ethic. James follows a path similar to several cousins who have pursued private careers outside the working royal fold.