Who is James, Viscount Severn – Queen Elizabeth’s youngest grandchild? The low-key British royal and nephew of Prince Charles is 14, a natural fisherman and is titled after a river

Aug 11 , 2022

James, Viscount Severn, is the grandchild of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and the nephew of Prince Charles. Photos: Getty Images

If people were to name Queen Elizabeth’s eight grandkids, most would mention the most well-known royals: Prince Harry, Prince William, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. But the public may not be too familiar with the queen’s youngest grandchild, James, Viscount Severn, the 14-year-old son of Prince Edward and Princess Sophie, who prefers to stay under the radar.

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Lady Louise Windsor, James, Viscount Severn and Sophie, Countess of Wessex arrive at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre during the 2022 Commonwealth Games on August 2, in Birmingham, England. Photo: Getty Images

James made a rare public appearance at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last week, British media reported. He was accompanied by his parents, Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, as well as his sister, Lady Louise Windsor. He also joined the rest of the royal family throughout the queen’s Jubilee celebrations and the Easter service at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle in April.

James, Viscount Severn, watches the swimming during the 2022 Commonwealth Games at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre on August 2, in Birmingham, England. Photo: Indigo/Getty Images

Now that he’s in his early teens, here are some things to know about the young up-and-coming British royal.

His royal ties

Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex leave Frimley Park Hospital with their baby son, James, Viscount Severn, their second child, in 2007, in Surrey, England. Photo: Getty Images

James (James Alexander Philip Theo) was born via caesarean section at Frimley Park Hospital on December 17, 2007. According to father Prince Edward, he was “very cute and cuddly” as a newborn, reported BBC.

15 richest British royal family members’ net worths, ranked

Sophie, Countess of Wessex with her son James, Viscount Severn at the fairground on day five of the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2009, in Windsor, England. Photo: Getty Images

At the time of his birth, he was eighth in line to the throne. The rank of his succession fell to 15th when his older cousins Prince William, Prince Harry and Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice had children of their own, reports Town & Country Mag.

Why is he called Viscount Severn?

James, Viscount Severn, departs the memorial service for Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey on March 29, in London, England. Photo: Getty Images

James’ styling is a nod to his mother’s Welsh familial roots, according to British media. It is also a reference to River Severn, the longest river in Britain.

When Prince Edward married Sophie Rhys-Jones in June 1999, they wanted their future children to be styled as the children of an earl, rather than as princes or princesses.

James, Viscount Severn, and sister Lady Louise Windsor watch the swimming during the 2022 Commonwealth Games at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre on August 2, in Birmingham, England. Photo: Indigo/Getty Images

“We try to bring them up with the understanding that they are very likely to have to work for a living … Hence we made the decision not to use HRH titles. They have them and can decide to use them from 18, but it’s highly unlikely,” Sophie, Countess of Wessex, told The Sunday Times in 2020.

A lake was named after him

James, Viscount Severn, celebrating his ninth birthday, holds a betting slip while watching the racing during the Christmas Racing Meet at Ascot Racecourse in December 2016, in Ascot, England. Photo: Indigo/Getty Images

In 2008, Prince Edward paid tribute to Canadian military personnel who served in Afghanistan when he made a three-day visit to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Gary Doer, who was Manitoba Premier at that time, expressed gratitude to the prince by gifting him a pair of framed notices naming two Northwestern Manitoba lakes after his two children, Louise, four, and James, who was five months old at the time, The Vancouver Sun reported.

Prince George turns 9! 9 things you didn’t know about the young royal

He’s proficient in fishing

James, Viscount Severn, and his father Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex during a Great British Beach Clean in September 2020, in Portsmouth, Britain. Photo: Getty Images

According to a royal insider, James impressed the queen with his dexterity when he fished up a salmon in the River Dee during her majesty’s Balmoral trip in 2019.

The source added that the queen was delighted with James’ proficiency because fishing was a sport that was beloved by the queen mother, Queen Elizabeth’s late mum.

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and James, Viscount Severn, seem to share a strong father-son bond. Photo: Wire Image

He’s also good at flipping burgers and likes to be involved whenever there’s a family barbecue at Balmoral.

He’s pretty close with his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth

Kate Middleton, Queen Elizabeth and James, Viscount Severn, are pictured here in 2015, looking over the balcony at Buckingham Palace. Photo: Wire Image

James lives with his family at Bagshot Park in Surrey, a 17th century estate near Windsor. The proximity allows James and Louise to spend time with their grandmother and they reportedly bond over tea during the weekends, as the countess once told Sky News.

While Lady Louise is the queen’s favourite grandchild, James is her second favourite, according to a source.

Want more stories like this? Follow STYLE on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.

Royalty

James made a rare appearance at Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games this year, with sister Lady Louise Windsor and parents Prince Edward and Sophie, Count of Wessex
While Louise is reportedly the queen’s favourite grandkid, James comes close at second – even ranking over Prince Harry, Prince William, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie