The young royal is swapping formal family appearances for long hours on the King’s estate, getting his hands dirty and helping with the day-to-day work on one of Britain’s most famous royal properties. But while James may be a royal and 16th in line to the throne, an estate worker says he is more than happy to “muck in” — and the job is reportedly far from an easy one.

KING Charles has got a new farmhand on his estate — his 18-year-old nephew.

James, Earl of Wessex, has a summer job helping out at Sandringham, Norfolk.

James, Earl of Wessex, wearing a blue blazer and striped tie, walks outdoors.

James, Earl of Wessex has a summer job helping out at Sandringham, Norfolk Credit: Rex

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and James Viscount Severn walking with a crowd in the background.

Prince Edward and Sophie’s son has been spotted driving tractors to earn some money ahead of his A-level results next week Credit: Getty

Prince Edward and Sophie’s son has been spotted driving tractors to earn some money ahead of his A-level results next week.

An estate worker said: “Everyone is so used to only seeing James smartly turned out with his family at functions at Christmas and Easter so I had to do a double take.

“He might be the King’s nephew but he is more than happy to get his hands dirty and muck in.

“Driving tractors around Sandringham is not an easy task and it can mean long hours.

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“But it doesn’t matter how rich you are, learning a good work ethic at a young age can always help.

“The King is known for his ­fondness of the countryside and he couldn’t be prouder knowing the younger royals share his love.”

James was eighth in line to the throne when born.

He was elevated from Viscount Severn to take his dad’s Earl of Wessex title when Edward became the Duke of Edinburgh in 2023.

James, Earl of Wessex, and Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, attending a Christmas Day service.

An estate worker said: ‘Everyone is so used to only seeing James smartly turned out with his family at functions at Christmas and Easter so I had to do a double take’ Credit: Getty

James, Earl of Wessex and Lady Louise Windsor attending the Christmas Day service.

The source added: ‘The King is known for his ­fondness of the countryside and he couldn’t be prouder knowing the younger royals share his love’, pictured with sister Lady Louise Credit: Getty

James is now 16th in the line of succession.

The Sun exclusively revealed in 2022 his older sister Lady Louise was working in a garden ­centre before going to university.

Louise, now 22, is on a gap year after graduating from the University of St Andrews.

At the weekend, she was pictured at a carriage-driving competition at Sandringham, finishing fourth in the novice pony class.

John Deere tractor with a twin rotor hay turner attachment in a field.

The estate worker said: ‘Driving tractors around Sandringham is not an easy task and it can mean long hours’ Credit: Alamy

Sandringham House, a large red brick country house with a manicured green lawn in front.

Sandringham boasts 2,700 hectares of farmland growing crops including wheat, rye and spelt grains Credit: Splash

Boyfriend Felix Da Silva-Clamp, who met Louise at university, watched on in a cap and shades.

Sandringham boasts 2,700 hectares of farmland growing crops including wheat, rye and spelt grains.

There are around 1,200 sheep and cattle.

Charles transformed the estate into an organic farm from 2017.

About 3,400 hectares are run by tenants.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment on James’s summer job.