Royal enthusiasts were left in awe as James, Earl of Wessex, graced a rare public appearance, sparking a wave of admiration for the teenager's noticeable growth since his last outing.
The young royal, son of Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie, captivated onlookers during the Christmas Day gathering at Sandringham, where he joined his elder sister Lady Louise Windsor and other members of the royal family.
Stepping out for the first time publicly since King Charles's coronation in May, the 16-year-old James, Earl of Wessex, made a striking impression as he made his way to St Mary Magdalene Church for the Christmas Mass.
Clad in a sophisticated navy suit paired with a matching overcoat, he stood alongside his father, prompting royal fans to marvel at his remarkable transformation and growth.
Social media platforms buzzed with excitement as admirers of the royal family took to express their astonishment at James's development.
One user on X, formerly known as Twitter, remarked, “Viscount Seven appears to have grown significantly this year, while Lady Louise bears a striking resemblance to Queen Elizabeth.”
Another user noted, “He already towers over his father,” with a third adding, “Despite resembling his father, he's already taller than him.”
Commentary continued to pour in as users marveled at James's height, with one declaring, “When did he shoot up so quickly?”
and another playfully calling him a “heartthrob.”
Speculation arose about his potential height, with one user suggesting, “Six feet at 16, he might surpass William.”
The Earl of Wessex celebrated his 16th birthday earlier in the month and is gearing up to tackle his upcoming GCSE exams next spring, paving the way for future career decisions.
Reflecting on her children's education, Duchess Sophie shared insights in 2020, emphasizing the importance of instilling a strong work ethic.
In an interview with The Times, she revealed, “We aim to raise them with the awareness that they will likely need to work for a living.
That's why we opted against using HRH titles initially.