Lady Louise’s birth was quite a dramatic event for both parents, thankfully it ended well, and Louise is growing and turning into a lovely lady, just like her mum. Now, let’s re-live the birth of James, Viscount Severn.
On the 2 July 2007 following statement has been issued:
“Their Royal Highnesses The Earl and Countess of Wessex are very pleased to announce that The Countess of Wessex is expecting a baby in December. The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh and members of both families are delighted with the news. The Earl and Countess already have one daughter, The Lady Louise, who was born on 8 November 2003.”
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| Picture found on FB, cannot find the source at the moment. If you know the photographer, do let me know. 2nd July 2007 – The Countess of Wessex at the Royal Show in Stoneleigh Park. |
A Palace spokeswoman said at that time: “They’re over the moon. The earl and the countess are both thrilled and excited. The countess will continue with engagements as normal and take doctors’ advice.” On the day of the announcement, the countess was carrying out royal engagements at the Royal Agricultural Society of England’s Royal Show in Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.
On 17 December 2007 happy news of birth have been shared via British Monarchy website:
“Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex today was safely delivered of a baby boy by caesarean section at 4.20pm, at Frimley Park NHS Hospital in Surrey. The weight of the baby was 6lbs 2oz. The Earl of Wessex was present. The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, and Mr Christopher Rhys-Jones, have been informed and are delighted with the news.”
“The medical team attending Her Royal Highness were Mr Marcus Setchell (Surgeon Gynaecologist to The Queen); Mr Gareth Beynon (Consultant Obstetrician/gynaecologist); Dr Abdus Malik (Consultant Neonatologist), Mrs Grazia Sanar (Neonatal Nurse Practitioner); Dr Claire Edkins (Consultant Anaesthetist) and Mrs Adrienne Price (Head of Midwifery) and Mrs Mandy Kriehn (Operating Department Practitioner). The Countess of Wessex is expected to remain in hospital for the next few days. Their Royal Highnesses already have one daughter, The Lady Louise, who was born at Frimley Park NHS Hospital on 8th November 2003. This baby is The Queen’s eighth grandchild, and the eighth in line to the Throne.”
Prince Edward who was present at the birth, spoke afterwards, he said it had been “a lot calmer than last time” and that his wife was “doing very well“. He also said he was relieved, and added that his son was “like most babies, rather small, very cute and very cuddly“. Prince Edward when asked about a potential name for the newly born son said: “We didn’t know, we had no idea what we were going to get, we hadn’t asked. You have to at least get to know the small person who’s just come into the world before you actually try and pick a name.”
The Countess and her baby boy were discharged from the Frimley Park Hospital (the NHS hospital in which HRH has given birth to her daughter back in 2003) on the 20th December 2007. I suspect that The Countess has trusted the stuff so much, that she didn’t want to change to a private hospital. In 2014, HRH has returned to that hospital, to open a neonatal unit. It was a very emotional return for Sophie, you can read about it in my post, here.
On the following day – 21 December 2007 – baby boy’s names were announced:
“The names chosen by The Earl and Countess of Wessex for their son are James Alexander Philip Theo.” Like his sister, he is styled as a child of an Earl, his title is: James, Viscount Severn.
His full name is: James Alexander Philip Theo Mountbatten-Windsor
Those names honour:
James & Alexander – names of quite a few English kings. The parents simply liked those names.
Philip – a nod to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Theo – Sophie’s grandfather Theo Rhys-Jones.
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| Photo by John Swannell, released to the media via Camera Press. |
Final stetement has been issued on the 15 April 2008:
“The Christening of Viscount Severn will take place at the private chapel at Windsor on 19 April 2008.
Notes for Editors:
This is a private Christening. However, one official photograph, taken by Mr John Swannell, will be released to the media via Camera Press.
The Christening Gown worn by Viscount Severn is a hand-made replica of Queen Victoria’s daughter’s Christening Gown, which was worn at subsequent Royal Christenings and has now been preserved. It is the first time this gown has been worn by a member of the Royal Family and was commissioned by The Queen.”
James’ godparents are: Alistair Bruce, Duncan Bullivant, Thomas Hill, Mrs Mark Poulton and Jeanye Irwin.
HRH The Countess of Wessex 
Beautiful. Thank you for these throwback posts. I love that the photos show Edward holding Viscount James and Lady Louise (previous post). It just seemed natural, as a proud father, that he should be the one holding them. 🙂
And the photo (christening) with the three of them — now, that's a very warm and loving photo. Perfect.
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