James, Viscount Severn cut a solemn figure as he says farewell to ‘Granny’

The Queen’s youngest grandson James, Viscount Severn cut a sombre figure as he said farewell to his ‘Granny’ at Westminster Abbey today.

The 14-year-old son of the Earl and Countess of Wessex opted for a traditional suit when attending the funeral alongside his family – including his sister Lady Louise, 18.

James and his sister have shown a maturity far beyond their years as they joined their older cousins in mourning since the Queen died at Balmoral on September 8, aged 96. 

The 14-year-old son of the Earl and Countess of Wessex opted for a traditional suit when attending the funeral alongside his family

Jack Brooksbank, Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, James and Lady Louise Windsor arrivd at Westminster Abbey together 

On Saturday, all Queen Elizabeth’s grandchildren visited Westminster Hall, where they held a first-of-its-kind vigil to pay tribute to the late monarch. 

As members of the public filed past Her Majesty’s casket to pay their respects, the young royal was seen with his head bowed throughout the service, which lasted for around 10 minutes. 

The Wessex siblings were able to see a lot more of their grandparents growing up than their older cousins, as they have always lived just 11 miles from Windsor at Bagshot Park.

James’ parents wanted to give their daughter and son a ‘normal’ childhood with schoolfriends and extra-curricular activities – and so, they were largely kept out of the limelight throughout their childhood.

The Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, the Countess of Wessex sit in front of their children James and Lady Louise during the State Funeral

The siblings take their seats at Westminster Abbey next to their cousin Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi

Members of the royal family (left to right, from front) Arthur Chatto and Daniel Chatto, Mike Tindall and Zara Tindall, Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank , Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn arriving at the State Funeral of her majesty 

Members of the royal family looked sombre as they arrived for the funeral service of Her Majesty at Westminster Abbey in London

The coffin of Her Majesty, was draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign’s Orb and Sceptre, was carried by the Bearer Party the royal family look on

James is thought to be a much-loved addition to the party when attending the royal family’s annual summer holiday in Balmoral, where he joins in enthusiastically with outdoor activities.

But while he’s clearly an important member of the Queen’s family in private, he’s rarely seen on any official engagements with his parents, and wasn’t styled as a prince at birth in order ‘to avoid some of the burdens of royal titles’.

Upon the Earl and Countess of Wessex’s marriage in 1999, Buckingham Palace announced that their children would be styled as the offspring of an earl, rather than as a prince of princess.

‘It is thought this decision was made to avoid some of the burdens of royal titles,’ according to the BBC.

James and his sister Louise looked emotional as they paid their respects to their grandmother during her state funeral on Monday 

Mike Tindall comforts his cousin-in-law James and showed his support as they enter the Queen’s state funeral together today 

Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi sat beside Lady Louise Windsor and James for the emotional service for their grandmother 

The Queen was carried to Westminster Abbey – the scene of her coronation and wedding – for her state funeral on Monday  

The coffin of Her Majesty, with the Imperial State Crown resting on top, was carried by the Bearer Party into Westminster Abbey past the grave of the Unknown Soldier

Kate, Princess of Wales, rested a caring arm on Prince George and his sister Princess Charlotte as they arrived at the Abbey today 

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, stands next to King Charles, Anne, Princess Royal, and William, Prince of Wales, as they saluted during the state funeral

The Princess of Wales arrived at the Queen’s funeral at Westminster Abbey today by car with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and the Queen’s Consort 

Prince Andrew was fighting tears during his mothers state funeral and was pictured very emotional as the Duke of Sussex followed him also looking distressed 

An emotional Prince Charles arrived in the Abbey after the Queen’s coffin was placed by the altar for her state funeral in front of the worlds media 

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II with the Imperial State Crown resting on top is carried by the Bearer Party into Westminster Abbey past the grave of the Unknown Soldier

His styling as Viscount Severn (one of his father’s subsidiary titles) is believed to have been chosen to acknowledge Sophie’s Welsh heritage because the name is taken from the River Severn in Wales. 

The Countess told the Sunday Times in 2020: ‘We try to bring them up with the understanding that they are very likely to have to work for a living…

‘Hence we made the decision not to use HRH titles. They have them and can decide to use them from 18, but it’s highly unlikely.’

She also spoke in 2016 about her attempts to keep her son and daughter out of the public spotlight while they are children.

Sophie told the BBC: ‘Certainly when they were very young we tried to keep them out of it. Only because for their sakes, to grow up as normally as possible we felt was quite important.

‘And they’re going to have to go out and get a job and earn a living later on in life and if they’ve had a normal a start in life they possibly can get, then hopefully that will stand them in good stead.’

Yet the lack of HRH title hasn’t stopped James from being honoured – and a Canadian lake has already been named after him.

His father Prince Edward was presented with a pair of framed notices naming two Northwestern Manitoba lakes after his two children during his visit to the Canadian province of Manitoba in 2008, reported the Vancouver Sun.

On Saturday, all Queen Elizabeth’s grandchildren visited Westminster Hall, where they held a first-of-its-kind vigil to pay tribute to the late monarch (front to back Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Princess Eugenie of York, Princess Beatrice of York, Peter Phillips, Zara Tindall, Lady Louise Windsor, James, Viscount Severn)

Prince Harry, Princess Eugenie of York and James held a vigil in honour of Queen Elizabeth at Westminster Hall were her coffin is lying in state 

James, full name James Alexander Philip Theo, was born at Frimley Park Hospital on 17 December 2007. Prince Edward described his newborn son at the time as ‘like most babies, rather small, very cute and very cuddly’, reported the BBC.

James is currently – following the birth of Princess Beatrice’s baby last year – 15th in the line of succession to the British throne. He was eighth in line at the time of his birth, ahead of his older sister Lady Louise.

The Succession of the Crown Act made it so that no male offspring now takes precedence over females in the Royal Family. However, the Act was passed in 2013, and only applies to those born after October 28, 2011.

As such, James’s place in the order of succession remains ahead of Louise and was unchanged following the birth of Zara Tindall’s third baby Lucas, last year.

This is because while Zara’s mother Princess Anne is older than Edward, she was also born before the Act came into force.

James spends his summers at the Queen’s Scottish estate with other members of the royal family and is ‘rather good at flipping burgers and liked to get fully involved whenever there was a family barbecue at Balmoral’, claimed a source.

The insider also told The Sun in 2019: ‘His enthusiasm for fly fishing delighted Her Majesty because it’s a sport beloved of James’s great-granny, the late Queen Mother.

‘James was in the Dee as often as possible, waders up to his armpits. His mother Sophie, who is a keen fisherwoman herself, liked to stand with him. The Balmoral ghillies [gamekeepers] were impressed with both of them.’

James has also previously been spotted driving a Land Rover in the grounds of Windsor Castle with his mother in the passenger seat.

King Charles III led his family members – including Princes William and Harry – walking behind the Queen’s coffin as it was moved Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey for the funeral service.

Hundreds of thousands of Brits have queued to see the Queen lying in state this week, as the official period of mourning ends today.

Well-wishers waited for up to thirty hours to pay tribute as people from around the world sent their condolences to the longest running head of state.

Dignitaries from the commonwealth including Australia, New Zealand and Canada joined the Firm in mourning today, as well as monarchs from across Europe and the world.

Police have also been granted a no-fly zone order over London on today, which will follow 10 days of mourning.

As well as thousands of uniformed Metropolitan Police bobbies drafted into action, plain-clothes officers will also mingle among crowds to monitor any threats. It is expected that other forces will be asked to provide officers under ‘mutual aid’.

The Queen’s Coffin was today carried from Westminster Hall to the State Gun Carriage, and then positioned outside the building’s North Door.

The procession then went from New Palace Yard through Parliament Square, Broad Sanctuary and the Sanctuary before arriving at Westminster Abbey just before 11am.