Sweet moment between ‘Britain’s most eligible bachelor’ Earl of Wessex and his cousin-in-law the Princess of Wales as she proves he’s firmly in the royal fold during his rare Easter outing

The Princess of Wales proved that the Earl of Wessex is firmly in the royal family by sharing a sweet interaction at the family’s spring reunion on Sunday.

Kate, 44, was seen comforting James Mountbatten-Windsor, 18, as they chatted warmly outside St George’s Chapel Windsor Castle before entering the Easter Matins ceremony led by the King and Queen.

In footage shared online after the event, the Princess can be seen smilingly turning to the son of Prince Edward and the Duchess of Edinburgh and then sharing a lively conversation with him.

James, who took on a more prominent role at the Royal Family’s traditional event and walked right behind the arriving Prince and Princess of Wales, appeared equally keen to talk to his cousin.

Kate and her husband Prince William were joined on the trip by their children Prince George (12), Princess Charlotte (10) and seven-year-old Prince Louis.

Fans were delighted by the “sweet” exchange between the two royals, with one of them writing over the X: ‘James seems uncomfortable in these situations, it’s nice to see Catherine reassuring him.

Another said: ‘I love how close the Wales and Edinburgh families are.’ ‘Catherine is truly very loving. James, Earl of Wessex is a very sweet, young and shy man. “He has a way of making everyone feel at ease,” insisted a third.

A fourth wrote: ‘The Princess of Wales will be a good guide for the young royal. “He’s so down to earth, I think they’ll feel comfortable around him,” while another fan said: “This is so sweet.”

James had previously been called a ‘secret royal’; in the past he had missed activities with his wider family while focusing on his education. But on Sunday the Count proved that he belongs in the royal family.

Joining her father, the Duke of Edinburgh, the royal walked close behind the Welshman before chatting to Kate outside the chapel.

While her sister, Lady Louise Windsor, 22, remains at the University of St Andrews to concentrate on her studies, their mother Sophie was reportedly preparing to attend the Easter service but had to leave due to ‘bad weather’.

Following his 18th birthday in December, much speculation arose about the Earl’s future in the royal family, as both he and his sister grew up without HRH titles.

Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth’s youngest grandson is considered one of the most enigmatic members of the royal family; This is largely because their parents went to great lengths to give both their children a ‘normal’ education.

Last year, writing in the Palace Confidential newsletter, the Daily Mail’s Daily Editor, Richard Eden, expressed how the increased contribution of Edward and Sophie’s children could be of great value to the Royal Family.

He wrote: ‘When Prince William becomes King, I hope he will follow the example of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, and ask his cousins, including Lady Louise and James, to share royal duties with him.

‘I hope William will realize that a ‘weakened’ monarchy will not preserve the institution, as some claim, but will instead lead to its irrelevance and eventual demise.

Kate, 44, was seen comforting James Mountbatten-Windsor, 18, as they chatted warmly outside St George’s Chapel before entering the Easter Matins service.

Joining his father, the Duke of Edinburgh, James was captured chatting cheerfully with the Princess of Wales outside the chapel.

‘What better way to develop their strengths than through an injection of energy from young people who are instilled from birth with the values ​​of public service and duty?’

James, who was 16th in line to the throne after Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie expanded their family, fell from eighth place. He is currently completing his studies at the prestigious Radley College in Oxfordshire.

While his sister has started attending royal events more frequently, James has kept a pretty low profile so far.

But royal commentators know little about whether James will follow in his older sister’s footsteps and attend the University of St Andrews, or step into the public sphere as a working royal after his A-levels.

Her mother’s own words reflect this uncertainty; Sophie once admitted that she could clearly see the path her daughter was taking, but wasn’t sure what her son would ultimately choose.

‘Louise is studying hard and going to do A-levels. I hope he goes to university. I won’t force him, but if he wants to. “He’s pretty smart, so I probably think so,” Sophie told The Times in 2020. “But I don’t know James.” he added.

Sophie also told the newspaper that the siblings were free to take up their HRH titles when they turned 18, but said it was ‘highly unlikely’ they would do so, an accurate prediction for Lady Louise.

But royal experts are increasingly suggesting that Prince William may eventually look to the younger generation, particularly Prince Edward’s children, to support the monarchy.

Prince William, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Prince George and the Princess of Wales stand next to James at the Easter ceremony

She was previously called the ‘secret royal’. But on Sunday, the Earl of Wessex (pictured) proved he is firmly on the royal side

James’ understated character is thought to be an asset that offers William both a reliable and uncontroversial option.

Growing up thirty years behind his eldest cousin Peter Phillips, James had a childhood very different from that of his cousins; a feeling shaped by countryside fishing, sleepovers with friends, and normal school runs rather than red carpets or balcony looks.

‘What’s normal? ‘They go to a regular school,’ Sophie shared. ‘They go to their friends to have a sleepover and party. We walk the dog a lot on the weekends and stay with friends.

‘I guess not everyone’s grandparents live in a castle, but it’s not about where you go or who they are.’

Edward and Sophie’s decision to keep their children largely out of the public eye was made long before they were born.

When they married, they chose, with the Queen’s permission, for their future children not to have the titles of prince and princess.

At birth, James was named Viscount Severn after the River Severn in Wales, a nod to his mother’s Welsh heritage, and subsequently became Earl of Wessex when Edward and Sophie were made Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

The title of Duke of Edinburgh will not pass to James and his long-term role will remain uncertain.

This move was made in an attempt to relieve Louise and James from the burden of their royal titles.

In 2016, Sophie spoke about her attempts to keep her son and daughter out of the public spotlight while they were still children.

He told the BBC: ‘Of course we tried to keep them out of it when they were very young. Because we felt that it was very important for their well-being to grow up as normally as possible.

‘And they’re going to have to go out and get a job and make a living later in life, and if they’ve had a normal start in life they can probably do that, then I’d hope that would be to their benefit.’