James, Earl of Wessex seen driving Prince Edward amid summer job with uncle King Charles

James, Earl of Wessex will soon be leaving the family home as he starts his new university life at the Royal Agricultural University in the new term.

Ahead of his new life, James was seen joining other members of his family down at Balmoral, and he was seen driving his father, Prince Edward, as they arrived.

Although most of the UK has been basking in the sun in recent weeks, at Balmoral, the temperatures are only around 15C, and so James and Edward were seen bundled up warmly. James wore a blue jumper with a gilet, while Edward was seen wearing a green jumper with a collared shirt and tie.

Plenty of other royals were seen joining James and Edward, as the likes of the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Anne and Zara and Mike Tindall were seen arriving at the King’s Scottish home.

The arrival took place following news that the King’s youngest son, Prince Harry, was due to return to the UK with his family after six years. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to be back in the UK by the end of the month.

While the monarch is likely to be thrilled that his son will be closer to home, HELLO!’s royal editor, Emily Nash, has said that Harry shouldn’t expect a warm reception from every member of the royal family.

On how William and Kate will have responded to the news, she said on A Right Royal Podcast: “Well, what is intriguing about this is the complete radio silence coming from that end of the spectrum. And what’s interesting about it is that they’re normally away at this time of year. I imagine they’re not delighted about this.”

James’ new life

After passing his A-levels, it was confirmed that James would be heading to the Royal Agricultural University to study Rural Land & Property Management. A statement from Buckingham Palace said: “Having achieved the grades he needed, The Earl of Wessex will be going to the Royal Agricultural University to study Rural Land & Property Management. He will head straight there without taking a year out.”

The 18-year-old is the first member of the British royal family to study at the Royal Agricultural University, although Princess Anne’s first husband, Captain Mark Phillips, studied there.

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The institution has some royal alumni, including Prince Gundakar of Liechtenstein and Ernst August von Hannover, who is now the husband of Monaco’s Princess Caroline.

The Royal Agricultural University is situated in Cirencester, which is nine miles away from Princess Anne’s home, Gatcombe Park.

© Mark Cuthbert

The royal has had a busy summer, as he has been working on his uncle’s Sandringham estate. James reportedly left workers doing a “double take” when they noticed the monarch’s nephew driving tractors and working on the organic farm.

Buckingham Palace has declined to comment.