The Queen passed away leaving a major void in her nation. But her absence is most deeply felt by her family who is completely heartbroken at her loss.
After the Queen’s death, the Royal Family barely had any time to mourn in private as they were expected to carry out their duties as they prepared for her state funeral.
Even the youngest of the Royals is expected to participate in the state funeral for the late Queen Elizabeth. And of course, this can be tough for a young royal to understand; how to put their duty above their personal need for time to grieve.
14-year-old James, whose title is the Viscount Severn, has largely been kept out of the spotlight by his diligent parents Prince Edward and his wife Sophie.
But after the Queen’s passing, Prince Edward and his family have been incredibly active in their participation in all the ceremonies and commitments.
Young James, who was the Queen’s youngest grandson joined his sister Lady Louise Windsor and his other cousins including Prince William and Prince Harry in the ceremonial vigil around the late monarch’s coffin.
The vigil was incredibly moving as the Queen’s grandchildren stood around her coffin in poignant silence with their heads bent. The ceremony was also joined by Peter Phillips, Zara Tindall, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
All of the grandchildren walked in a formation into Westminister Hall and stood by the side of their late grandmother’s coffin. Young James also took his position, looking heartbroken at the major loss he has had to experience at such a tender age. He stood between his cousins, Peter and Eugenie, holding his place and bowing his head, as tearful mourners paid their respects after waiting hours in the queues.
The Countess of Wessex Sophie, who is James and Louises’ mother watched tearfully as her beloved children performed their duties for their late grandmother.
James was born in December 2007 at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey, near his parent’s residence in Bagshot Park. While James has largely been kept out of the public eye, he did recently make appearances at the recent Commonwealth Games and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The young man’s full name is James Alexander Philip Theo, with his middle name of course to honor to his now late grandfather Prince Philip. When Prince Edward married Sophie in 1999, they were awarded the titles Earl and Countess of Wessex. At the time, Buckingham Palace announced that their future children would not be titled as Prince or Princess and hence would not be granted HRH stylings. They will only be considered the titled children of an Earl.
James inherited the title of Viscount Severn, a subsidiary title of his father’s. His parents made the decision not to entitle their children with any major titles so they are able to have a childhood as normal as they possibly can.
Prince Edward who has always been a doting father to his son, once described the boy as “very cute and very cuddly.” And it has often been said that both Louise and James were two of the Queen’s favorite grandchildren by virtue of how many interests they shared with their grandmother.
They would spent most of their summers with the Queen at her Balmoral Estate. With Louise bonding with her grandmother over their shared love of horses while James and the Queen shared a love for cars.
Prince Edward released a statement on the passing of his mother which read,
“The Queen’s passing has left an unimaginable void in all our lives. Sophie and I have taken huge pleasure in seeing our James and Louise enjoying the places and activities that their grandparents loved so much.” Adding, “Given that my mama let us spend so much time with her, I think she also rather enjoyed watching those passions blossom. Those times together, those happy memories, have now become massively precious to each and every one of us.”
The Queen was very fond of James as well, during a ceremony at Windsor Castle in 2017, the Queen was introduced to a boy who was around James’ age and she immediately mentioned her own grandson. She said, “My grandson is nine and he does nothing else but tries to drive a car – mostly mine.”
They did share such a sweet bond, with him being her youngest grandchild that too from her ‘favorite’ son. Our prayers go out to young James as he copes with this major loss.