Prince Edward and Sophie's Son James Turns 18 — Here's How He Looks Now

Once shielded from the spotlight, the newly titled Earl of Wessex has officially come of age — and fans are swooning over his transformation from royal toddler to polished young gentleman. See his evolution through the years below.

He was once dubbed the "Hidden Prince" — a quiet, unassuming royal raised far from the flashing cameras and media frenzy that so often consume the Firm.

But now, James Mountbatten-Windsor, the only son of Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, has officially stepped into the royal spotlight. The young royal turned 18 on Wednesday, 17 December 2025, sparking a flurry of fanfare, fawning comments, and curiosity about what's next.

The milestone birthday arrives just months after James inherited his father's secondary title, Earl of Wessex, following Edward's elevation to Duke of Edinburgh — a title previously held by the late Prince Philip, James's grandfather.

The couple "put on a brave face" while doctors conducted a full round of 24-hour tests.

Born by caesarean section at Frimley Park Hospital in 2007, James entered the world with the full name James Alexander Philip Theo — a touching nod to his royal grandfather.

At the time, a very happy Edward described his newborn son as "very cute and very cuddly." But the family's happiness was soon marred by a frightening health scare — one that brought back painful memories for Sophie.

Before James, the Duchess had endured an ectopic pregnancy and a traumatic birth with her first child, Lady Louise, who arrived prematurely and required specialist care after being whisked away moments after her birth. Sophie herself was just "15 minutes from death."

So when baby James fell ill just five weeks after birth, the worry was immediate — and overwhelming.

According to royal author Sean Smith, Sophie and Edward were "very concerned" when James became unwell and was rushed to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

In his book "Sophie: Saving The Royal Family", Smith described how the couple "put on a brave face" while doctors conducted a full round of 24-hour tests.

The result? A surprisingly simple — but still serious — diagnosis: a nasty allergic reaction due to lactose intolerance.

"Fortunately, because he had been taken to hospital so quickly, there were no lasting effects," Smith wrote.

After the ordeal, James made a full recovery and went on to enjoy a quiet, healthy childhood, largely kept out of the public eye along with his sister Louise.

Now, with a title, a new level of visibility, and a subtle air of mystery, James has suddenly become the Royal Family's newest fascination. And royal watchers haven't held back.

"James is certainly very handsome and seems a little reserved/quiet right now, but it'd be interesting to see how he'll turn out," one commenter mused.

Another gushed, "I'd love to see him become a full-time working royal [...] James is very handsome, appears to have an appreciation of dignity and protocol, and has a glorious smile 🙂 [...] I think he has the potential to be a great asset to the family."

A third swooned, "He is definitely an asset and special gem. He is a perfect balance of his parents. Brilliant!"

And the compliments just kept coming.

“The next heartbreaker royal,” one fan predicted. "James. The soon-to-be heartthrob," another wrote. "He is handsome and quiet, nothing wrong with taking after his dad," a third echoed.

But perhaps the most striking praise came from those reflecting on James's quiet rise through the royal ranks.

"James was called the Hidden Royal (Hidden Prince) for so long, the mystery makes him more appealing," one person observed. "Like the late Prince William cousin of the Late Queen Elizabeth II […] a heartrob kind of vibe for the current teens [sic]."

Now 18, the Earl of Wessex is at a crossroads. While he's inherited his father's title and appears every bit the polished young royal, questions remain about whether he'll take on a full-time public role — or continue to walk the line between duty and discretion.

But one thing's for certain: James is no longer hidden. And the world is watching.

Take a look at his remarkable transformation through the years — from royal toddler to dashing young Earl.

2007

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2009

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2012

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2013

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2014

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2016

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2019

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2022

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2025

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