James, Earl of Wessex, King Charles’ nephew, is preparing to begin university after receiving the A-level grades he needed to advance his educational goals. The 18-year-old son of Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, received his results on August 13, 2026. Buckingham Palace then confirmed that James will attend the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, where he will study Rural Land and Property Management beginning this fall.
A levels are important subject-based exams taken near the end of secondary school in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Universities often make offers that depend on students obtaining A-level grades. James, who is also the youngest grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth II, will now move directly into university life instead of taking a gap year. His decision is different from that of his cousin Prince William, who took a year off from education after leaving Eton College in 2000 before later attending the University of St. Andrews.
Buckingham Palace has confirmed James, the Earl of Wessex’s next big step. The 18-year-old royal has achieved the A-Level grades required to attend the Royal Agricultural University this autumn, where he will study Rural Land and Property Management. pic.twitter.com/utPt63RMjk
— TheRoyalObserver (@royalobserver_) August 13, 2026
The course James selected reflects his long-standing interest in the countryside and could prepare him for work involving land management, rural property and stewardship. The Royal Agricultural University is located only a few miles from Highgrove House, King Charles’ country residence. The university is known for programs dedicated to agriculture, land and the rural economy. In addition, the Royal Agricultural University has notable alumni, including Guy Pelly, a longtime friend of Prince William and Prince Harry.
“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,” a Buckingham Palace spokesperson revealed
The Royal Agricultural University is widely regarded as one of Britain’s leading farming colleges. Among its notable alumni is Guy Pelly, a longtime friend of Prince William and Prince Harry, who studied there before going on to a career in hospitality. Pelly, who now lives in the U.S., reunited with Queen Camilla when she visited a Virginia farm during her trip to America in April.
