James Middleton: Sister Kate ‘Blossomed’ After Meeting Prince William

James Middleton has shared intimate details regarding his family’s royal connections in his new memoir, Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life. The book touches on his sister, Princess Kate Middleton, and her relationship with Prince William, offering readers a rare insider’s perspective.

In the memoir, James reflects on the time surrounding his sister’s engagement to Prince William. He reveals that their family had the news before it was officially announced in November 2010. “Catherine, Pippa and I go out for a walk with Ella and Tilly to our local pub in a village close to Bucklebury. We sit in a corner, chattering quietly,” James writes, capturing the intimate moment just before the announcement.

While they were thrilled about the engagement, James and Pippa attempted to hide their excitement. “Pippa and I want to be visibly excited, but we have to tamp down our emotions so no one suspects a thing,” he explains. They made a silent pact to support one another through the upcoming changes, no matter how unpredictable life became.

James has deep respect and affection for William, noting how long he has been part of their lives. “William has been in our lives for so long and we’ve grown very fond of him. He feels like our older brother,” James stated. He believes that Kate and William are perfectly paired, signifying a strong and loving union.

The engagement news also prompted James to reflect on his own love life. He candidly writes about the feelings of longing he had as he considered the love shared between William and Kate. “As we digested the news, I knew I hadn’t yet experienced the love they feel for each other myself, but I’m hoping one day I will,” he confesses in his memoir.

James Middleton married Alizee Thevenet in September 2021, and the couple welcomed their first child together in October 2023, marking a significant step in his own life as he celebrated family milestones.

After Kate’s engagement announcement, James felt an overwhelming sense of happiness for the couple. “I thought how lucky William was to be marrying my capable, down-to-earth big sister, and I felt absolutely reassured that they were in love,” he reflects in Meet Ella.

He describes witnessing the transformation in his sister, attributing it to her relationship with William. “It was beautiful to see how he brought out her confidence. She’d blossomed. I knew he’d look after her, and he does to this day,” James expresses with pride for both Kate and William’s journey together.

In addition to these personal insights, the book also recounts a humorous yet awkward encounter James had with Queen Elizabeth II. He accidentally referred to her by the wrong royal title. However, the Queen reportedly took the incident in stride, generously offering him some food as a gracious response.

Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life is set to be released on Thursday, September 26, providing an engaging glimpse into the life of James Middleton, his family, and the intertwined relationships with the British royal family.