The Queen’s youngest grandson, James, Viscount Severn, was seen being comforted by Mike Tindall outside Westminster Abbey as he bid farewell to his grandmother.
The 14-year-old son of the Earl and Countess of Wessex appeared solemn as he attended the funeral alongside his family, including his 18-year-old sister, Lady Louise.
Alongside Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, Mike and James joined the rest of Her Majesty’s grandchildren for the Queen’s state funeral, showing a maturity beyond their years in mourning the Queen’s passing at the age of 96 on September 8.
In a touching display of respect, all of Queen Elizabeth‘s grandchildren gathered at Westminster Hall on Saturday for a unique vigil honoring the late monarch.
As members of the public paid their respects to the Queen, James was observed with a bowed head throughout the approximately 10-minute service.
Growing up just 11 miles from Windsor at Bagshot Park, the Wessex siblings had more opportunities to bond with their grandparents compared to their older cousins.
Despite being a cherished member of the royal family, James has largely stayed out of the public eye due to his parents’ desire for him to have a normal upbringing.
The decision to style him as Viscount Severn, derived from one of his father’s titles, was made to acknowledge his mother Sophie’s Welsh heritage.
The Countess emphasized in interviews the importance of raising their children with the understanding that they are likely to work for a living, opting not to use HRH titles.
Prince Edward and Sophie’s parenting approach has aimed to shield James and his sister from excessive public attention during their formative years.
The lack of an HRH title has not hindered James from receiving recognition, as a Canadian lake was named after him in honor of his father’s visit to Manitoba in 2008.
Born in 2007, James is currently 15th in line to the British throne, following the birth of Princess Beatrice‘s baby last year.
James’s place in the line of succession remains ahead of his sister Louise due to the Succession to the Crown Act, which ensures gender equality in the royal family.
During his summers at the Queen’s Scottish Estate, Balmoral, James has shown a keen interest in activities like flipping burgers and fly fishing, much to the delight of his great-grandmother, the late Queen Mother.
Known for his enthusiasm for outdoor pursuits, James has been spotted driving a land rover at Windsor Castle alongside his mother, further showcasing his down-to-earth upbringing.
