James is the younger brother of Lady Louise Windsor, 22, who missed the festivities because she is busy with her studies at St Andrews University, in Scotland, where she is in the final year of her English degree.
Also absent was the Duchess of Edinburgh, who was reportedly due to attend but missed out because she is feeling ‘under the weather’. The Duchess was last seen at a charity gala in London on 23 March and royal watchers are wishing Sophie a speedy recovery.
Born by caesarean section at Frimley Park Hospital on 17 December 2007, James is the second child and only son of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh (who, at the time of his birth, were titled the Earl and Countess of Wessex). His full name, James Alexander Philip Theo, included a nod to his grandfather Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Announcing the birth of his son, Prince Edward said he was ‘very cute and very cuddly’. The birth had also been less traumatic than that of Lady Louise, who arrived four weeks premature in 2003. Prior to conceiving Louise, Sophie had suffered a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy.
James, Earl of Wessex was last seen alongside his sister, Lady Louise Windsor, for the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham
Mark Cuthbert/Getty Images