Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie's calendar clash on son James, Earl of Wessex's big day

James, Earl of Wessex, is set for a deciding day on his future next week as his A-level results day looms. 

The 18-year-old will be among many young people across the UK nervously awaiting their exam results on 13 August, and seeing if they've secured a place at university for the coming years. 

James's parents, Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie, will likely be just as keen to see how he's done, after completing his exams at Radley College in Oxfordshire earlier this summer. 

However, they won't be able to spend the whole day together due to a pre-existing royal engagement. 

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The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will be attending the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham that Thursday, before heading to Edinburgh on Friday. 

However, it's unlikely it will take the whole day, so James will have plenty of time to celebrate with both school friends and family.

What will James, Earl of Wessex do next?

Currently, it's not known whether James wants to go to university, or what his choices are. 

Some royals, such as Prince William and European royals, tend to take a gap year before completing the next steps of their education. 

However, when James's older sister, Lady Louise Windsor, 22, received her A-level results back in 2022, it was revealed she would be studying at the University of St Andrews. It means a similar pattern may be expected for James. 

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HELLO!'s online royal correspondent, Danielle Stacey, explains: "The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh's children have largely grown up out of the public eye, so plans for their future education are not likely to be released in advance. 

"But there's definitely a pattern for the royals to take gap years abroad before enrolling at university. Campuses in other cities are likely to afford them a greater deal of privacy than being in London, and means that they get the full student experience."

James, Earl of Wessex's most recent public appearances

James was most recently seen at Royal Ascot, making a surprise debut as he filled in for his father, Prince Edward, in June. 

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He was pictured alongside Duchess Sophie enjoying spending time in the royal box, wearing a black morning coat and top hat.

He also attended Harriet and Peter Phillips's royal wedding in June, and the Easter service at St George's Chapel in Windsor in April. 

On all of these occasions, James's height got everyone talking as he seemed to tower over his parents – he's so tall these days.