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Wales Online
National
Alistair Mason

James, Viscount Severn, the Queen's youngest grandchild's hobbies, 'normal childhood' and Royal role

James, Viscount Severn, the youngest of the Queen's grandchildren, is one of the lower profile members of the royal family. Indeed many may not even have known who he was if they spotted him at Saturday's vigil at Westminster Hall, where he stood alongside his sister and better known cousins, including the Prince of Wales, Prince Harry and Zara Tindall.

The sight of the 14-year-old standing with his head bowed during the vigil was a striking one. Many noted a similarity to a young Prince William, who was 15 when his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, died.

As the son of the of the Earl and Countess of Wessex, he is the nephew of the King and is 14th in line to the throne. But what else is known about the teenager?

Read more: Who is Prince Edward's daughter Lady Louise Windsor?

Viscount Severn's early years

James Alexander Philip Theo Mountbatten-Windsor was born at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey on December 17, 2007. He was christened at the private chapel at Windsor Castle the following April.

He lives with his parents and older sister, Lady Louise, at Bagshot Park in Surrey. He attended Eagle House School in Berkshire, according to the Express, though where he is educated now is unclear.

James, Viscount Severn is the youngest of the Queen's eight grandchildren (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Although entitled to do so, Edward and Sophie decided not to style Louise and James as a princess and prince. The Countess told the Sunday Times: "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."

Viscount Severn's hobbies

James and Louise are thought to have been particular favourites of the Queen, in part because of their love of outdoor pursuits. While staying with the Queen at Balmoral, he delighted her by showing an aptitude for fly fishing, according to the Sun.

He has also been spotted driving a Land Rover - with his parents beside him - inside the grounds of Windsor Castle. It is legal for under-17s to get behind the wheel on private land.

Sophie told the Times that she and Edward attempt to keep their kids' lives as normal as possible. "They go to friends for sleepovers and parties," she said. "At weekends we do lots of dog walking and stay with friends."

Unlike many of his school pals, though, James has a lake in Canada named after him. The name was given to the lake by the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba to mark a visit to the province by Prince Edward in 2008.

Viscount Severn's medals

Many viewers were surprised to see James wore two medals upon his suit as he joined Saturday's vigil. These were special commemorative medals designed to mark the Queen's Diamond and Platinum Jubilees, and given to him by his grandmother.

To pay your own tribute to Queen Elizabeth, click here.

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