What's next for James, Earl of Wessex, the rarely seen son of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh?

Even more so than his sister, who is a passionate carriage driver, the Earl of Wessex has remained staunchly out of the spotlight – something that is unlikely to change as he begins this new era of adulthood. This summer, he made his Royal Ascot debut with his parents, drawing attention from royal watchers as he joined the Firm in the Royal Box.

Whatever James might pick, the nation will certainly be keen to see the next chapter in what has been a remarkably private life for the boy who could have been a prince.

The then Countess of Wessex and Prince Edward outside Frimley Park Hospital with a newborn James, Viscount Severn, 2007

Born by caesarean section at Frimley Park Hospital on 17 December 2007, James is the second child and only son of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. His full name, James Alexander Philip Theo, included a nod to his grandfather Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Announcing the birth of his son, Prince Edward said he was ‘very cute and very cuddly’. The birth had also been less traumatic than that of Lady Louise, who arrived four weeks premature in 2003. Prior to conceiving Louise, Sophie had suffered a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy.

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At the time of James's birth, male-preference primogeniture meant that he replaced his elder sister, Lady Louise, as eighth in line to the throne, despite being younger. These rules changed with the Succession of the Crown Act 2013 (introduced ahead of the birth of Prince George to allow eldest children to remain senior in the order, regardless of gender) but only apply to royal children born after 28 October 2011. This means James remains ahead of Louise (now 15th and 16th, respectively).