5 Royals Who Shunned Royal Titles Like King Charles’ 18-Year-Old Nephew James

James, Earl of Wessex, is not one of the most prominent names in the Royal Family despite being the nephew of King Charles and grandson of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Being born into the Royal Family, James could have chosen to become Prince James and use the HRH styling when he turned 18, but he decided not to. It is a choice that sets James apart, but he is not the first royal to turn down a more prominent title. Over the years, several others have chosen to live without the royal styling they could have had.

Similar to her brother James, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor was also entitled to use the title Princess Louise when she turned 18, but she has chosen not to. After graduating from the University of St Andrews in 2026, she was introduced simply as Louise Mountbatten-Windsor. When Duchess Sophie was asked the reason behind it, she told the Sunday Times, “We try to bring them up with the understanding that they are very likely to have to work for a living. Hence, we made the decision not to use HRH titles. They have them and can decide to use them from 18, but I think it’s highly unlikely.”

Peter Phillips grew up without a royal title despite being the Queen’s first grandchild. His parents declined an offer that would have given their children titles, allowing Peter to pursue a life away from the official Royal Family. “I think it was probably easier for them, and I think most people would argue that there are downsides to having titles,” Princess Anne once explained to Vanity Fair. He went on to work in sports and business rather than becoming a working royal, while still regularly appearing alongside his family at major royal occasions.

Similar to her brother, Zara Tindall was never given a royal title after Anne and Captain Mark Phillips chose to raise their children without one. Zara told The Times, “From my point of view, I was obviously very lucky that my mother didn't give us any titles, so I really commend her on that.” She went on to build a career as an Olympic equestrian rather than taking on formal royal duties.

Captain Mark Phillips and Angus Ogilvy both had the chance to take on an earldom when they married into the Royal Family, but neither man wanted a title. Ogilvy turned down an earldom when he married Princess Alexandra in 1963, wanting to remain a commoner and keep his career separate from royal life. Later, he also refused titles for his children. In 1973, Phillips followed suit when he married Anne, and their children Zara and Peter were also raised without titles.