James Middleton, the younger brother of the Princess of Wales, has offered a heartwarming glimpse into his family life by posting a photo of their mother, Carole Middleton, reading to his two-year-old son, Inigo. The 38-year-old made a social media comeback with adorable snaps of his toddler and revealed the reason behind his recent inactivity on Instagram over the past few months.
Social Media Break and Easter Wishes
In his return post, James wrote, "We are back. Many of you have been asking if I am ok. I have been absent from social media for a while. The truth is, this Lent I decided to give up social media (and it was wonderful)." He elaborated on the pressures of online platforms, stating, "Sometimes we don’t fully realise the pressure social media puts on us until we take a step back. If I could offer one piece of advice for 2026, it would be to try it yourself; a week, a month, or even longer…"
Kate's younger brother extended Easter greetings, saying that he, his wife Alizée, their baby Inigo, and the dogs "are wishing you all a very Happy Easter and thank you for checking in on me."
Family Moments Captured
In the photos, Carole Middleton, 71, is pictured as a doting grandmother, reading 'The Tale of Benjamin Bunny' to little Inigo, who is perched on her lap on a bench during a sunny day out. Other images show Inigo enjoying the outdoors, roaming around flowers and playing with the family dogs. A cute video captures him keeping up with his mother and their pooch on a bicycle as they speed through a countryside stroll.
James and Alizée welcomed their firstborn, son Inigo, on September 21, 2023. In a recent interview with Hello!, James shared that he can always count on his sisters, the Princess of Wales and Pippa Matthews, 42, for parenting guidance. "They're definitely at the end of the phone if we need a bit of advice," he said, adding, "Also, it's the confidence [they give me]. You're always on edge with being a parent, particularly this time of year with coughs and colds and sniffles going around the place."
Family Connections and Shared Items
James, who lives in Berkshire and is well known for breeding dogs, also serves as an advisor for Dogs Trust. He revealed that Inigo wears hand-me-down clothes from the Prince and Princess of Wales's three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. "One of the wonderful things about being the youngest [sibling] and having children last is that there is an abundance of paraphernalia that comes in very handy," he explained.
Pippa and her husband James Matthews share three children: son Arthur Michael William, and daughters Grace Elizabeth Jane and Rose Louise Victoria. James marked Inigo's second birthday with a sweet social media tribute earlier last year, posting a photo of the fair-haired toddler with his arms wrapped tightly around the family's golden retriever, Mabel.
Mental Health Advocacy and Family Support
James has been open about his mental health struggles, detailing his battle with depression and the role his dog Ella played in his recovery. In his 2024 memoir 'Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life', he revealed how he came close to suicide, standing on the ledge of his parents' Chelsea house, ready to jump, but was saved by Ella's presence. He was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder and clinical depression in 2017 and underwent Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
Speaking about the close bond within the family, James said, "We’re really fortunate to be a very close family, and so we get together as a family relatively regularly, and love that opportunity. There's seven grandchildren, and it's wonderful them spending time together and making memories." This closeness was evident in Kate's moving cancer recovery video last September, which showed her parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, playing cards with Kate, William, and their children at Anmer Hall in Norfolk.
James commented on the footage, writing, "I couldn't be more proud", alongside a red heart emoji. He also reflected on his sister's cancer diagnosis, saying, "Being there for someone is such an important part, and it doesn't necessarily have to be on your terms, and it shouldn't be on your terms. It should be on their terms; unconditional: 'I'm not doing it for something in return. I'm doing it because I love you'."
The entrepreneur, who runs the dog food business James & Ella, emphasized the emotional support within the family, noting that several of Ella’s puppies have become part of the wider Middleton and Wales households, with regular reunions when the families meet.
