James, Earl of Wessex, left behind royal engagements for a very different kind of summer job.
He is getting behind the wheel of a tractor at King Charles’s Sandringham estate.
The 18-year-old, the youngest child of Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie, has reportedly been helping out on the Norfolk estate as he prepares to receive his A-level results next week.
Rather than spending the summer entirely away from work, James has been spotted taking on practical duties around Sandringham, including driving tractors.
An estate worker told The Sun that James appeared perfectly comfortable getting involved, despite his royal status.
“He might be the King’s nephew but he is more than happy to get his hands dirty and muck in,” the worker said.
Working on an estate can mean early starts, long hours and plenty of physical work, making the summer role a far cry from the polished appearances expected of a member of the Royal Family.
King Charles has long been known for his passion for the countryside and environmental causes, while James’s older sister, Lady Louise Windsor, previously spent part of her summer working at a garden centre before heading to university.
James’s summer job comes at an important moment for the young royal. Having completed his A-levels at Radley College, he is now waiting to discover what comes next, with university and possibly a gap year among the possibilities.
His royal position has also changed considerably since birth. James was originally styled Viscount Severn and was eighth in line to the throne.
After his father became Duke of Edinburgh in 2023, James took on the title Earl of Wessex and is now 16th in succession.
2026-08-08 20:47:00
