Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie’s 18-year-old son begins university life as the Royal Agricultural University advertises a campus security and welfare role following a disturbing incident in the town earlier this year.

James, Earl of Wessex, has begun a new chapter away from royal life, enrolling at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester to study Rural Land & Property Management. As the 18-year-old settles into university life away from his family home at Bagshot Park, the institution is recruiting a new Security and Welfare Officer to help maintain safety across its campus.

The vacancy comes months after a knife attack on a teenage girl in Cirencester shocked the local community. Although the university’s recruitment drive does not establish a direct connection between the incident and the appointment, the timing has drawn attention to campus safety and student welfare.

Royal Agricultural University advertises security and welfare position

The university has promoted the vacancy on X, inviting applicants to take on a role focused on campus security and the wellbeing of students.

The recruitment post states: “Help keep campus safe as a Security and Welfare Officer in Cirencester with @RoyalAgUni. Patrol the campus, support student welfare and respond to incidents.”

The position offers a starting annual salary of £24,215, rising to £27,319. The successful candidate will report to Steve Martin, the university’s Security & Operations Project Manager.

Responsibilities include monitoring CCTV footage, conducting safety and maintenance checks, patrolling university grounds and responding to incidents when they arise. The role combines practical security duties with a responsibility to support the welfare of the university community.

James is beginning his studies at the institution while living away from his parents, Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie, at Bagshot Park. His university experience will focus on developing the knowledge and professional skills needed for a career in rural land and property management.

Knife attack left teenage girl with lasting trauma

The recruitment announcement follows a serious incident in Cirencester on 15 March, when a 14-year-old boy attacked a teenage girl inside a corner shop using a six-inch kitchen knife.

The girl survived the attack, but the psychological impact has continued well beyond the incident itself. In a victim impact statement read at Bristol Crown Court, she described experiencing flashbacks, nightmares and heightened vigilance. She also spoke of losing a sense of independence as a result of the ordeal.

The case has returned to public attention following the offender’s sentence of a 12-month referral order and a three-year restraining order. The outcome has prompted criticism online from people who believe the penalties were insufficient given the seriousness of the attack.

The incident also prompted reflections from people familiar with the town, which has long been regarded by some residents as a peaceful place to live.

HELLO!’s Deputy Beauty and Lifestyle Editor, Melanie Macleod, who has lived in and around Cirencester for 36 years, described the attack as unexpected and deeply upsetting.

“I’ve been living in and around Cirencester for 36 years, so the attack earlier this year came as a shock – and out of character for such a quiet, safe town,” she said.

She added that she had never felt unsafe in Cirencester and expressed sadness that such a horrific incident had happened to a young girl, while hoping the victim had received the support she needed in its aftermath.

What James will study at university

Away from the headlines surrounding the town, James will be concentrating on his degree and the practical knowledge required for his chosen field.

The Rural Land & Property Management course covers a range of subjects designed to prepare students for professional work in the sector. According to the university’s course overview, students study the fundamentals of rural professional practice alongside planning and development, law, valuation, building construction and management.

The programme provides a foundation in the legal, commercial and practical aspects of managing rural property and land. These areas of study will form the basis of James’s undergraduate education as he prepares for life beyond university.

Strong graduate employment prospects

The course also points to encouraging outcomes for students entering the workforce. According to the Graduate Outcomes Survey from 2025, 95 per cent of graduates are in employment or pursuing further study 15 months after completing the course.

That figure suggests the degree can provide a useful route into employment or continued education, although individual outcomes will naturally vary.

James’s university path also reflects his parents’ apparent preference for giving their children a grounding in conventional working life rather than directing them exclusively towards royal duties.

Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie have long emphasised the importance of a strong work ethic for both of their children. As James begins his studies at the Royal Agricultural University, his focus will be on completing his degree and developing the expertise needed to pursue a professional career.