Royal fans were left doing a double take after a photograph of James, Earl of Wessex, proved his uncanny resemblance to his father, Prince Edward.
The 18-year-old, who is preparing to start his new graduate life at the Royal Agricultural University, was recently spotted on the drive to Balmoral.
The young royal, wearing a blue sweatshirt and black gilet, was seen through the window of what appeared to be a Land Rover while driving with Prince Edward, who wore a checkered shirt and teal jumper.
At first glance, the two look identical to Prince Edward and his father, the late Prince Philip. Sharing the photo on social media, one fan wrote: “A friend sent me this photo and said, “If you look at it quickly, it looks like a young Edward with his dad, Prince Philip, out for a drive in the car,” and God, she’s right!”
Others agreed, with one writing, “Oh wow. The resemblance is incredible.” A second remarked: “Edward ‘s son looks exactly like him here.” Several others also admitted they had to do a “double take” after seeing the photo.
James was making the drive up to Balmoral, where he joined other family members at the Scottish residence. While most of the UK has been basking in roasting temperatures, the pair were noticeably dressed warmly in preparation for the cooler climate in Scotland, where it’s only around 15C.
Plenty of other royals were seen joining the father and son, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Anne, Zara and Mike Tindall.
© Samir Hussein/WireImageThe arrival took place shortly after the shocking news that Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, are expected to return to the UK with their two children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five.
James, Earl of Wessex’s university plans
After the relaxing summer break, James will set sail for university, where he will 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.”
This will make him the first member of the royal family to study at the Royal Agricultural University. However, Princess Anne’s first husband, Captain Mark Philips, also studied at the farming college.
© GettyThe institution does have some other royal alumni, though. Prince Gundakar of Liechtenstein and Ernst August von Hannover, who is now the husband of Monaco’s Princess Caroline, also attended. The university is located in Cirencester, which is a short nine-mile drive away from Princess Anne’s home, Gatcombe Park.
It’s been a busy summer for James so far. Over the last few months, he has reportedly been working on his grandfather’s Sandringham estate. Workers even described doing a “double take” after they spotted him driving tractors and working on the farm.
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