James Middleton, the younger brother of the Princess of Wales, has opened up about his journey into fatherhood, revealing he regularly leans on his famous sister for guidance and support.
A Royal Support Network for a New Father
In a candid new interview, the 38-year-old entrepreneur explained that both Kate and his other sister, Pippa Matthews, are a constant source of reassurance. James and his wife, Alizée, welcomed their first child, son Inigo, on September 21, 2023. He told HELLO! magazine that his sisters are "definitely at the end of the phone if we need a bit of advice."
"Also, it's the confidence [they give me]," James, who lives in Berkshire, continued. "You're always on edge with being a parent, particularly this time of year with coughs and colds and sniffles going around the place."
Hand-Me-Downs from the Royal Nursery
The close-knit family ties extend to practical matters, with James sharing that his two-year-old son benefits from an "abundance of paraphernalia" passed down from his royal cousins. Inigo wears hand-me-down clothes from Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, the three children of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
"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 said. Pippa and her husband, financier James Matthews, also contribute to the family wardrobe, as they are parents to three children: Arthur, Grace, and Rose.
Family Bonds and Shared Passions
James, a well-known dog breeder and advisor for the Dogs Trust, was speaking to support the charity's festive rehoming campaign. He highlighted how the entire family's shared love of animals strengthens their bond. Several puppies from his late cocker spaniel, Ella, now live with various members of the Middleton and Wales families.
"We’re really fortunate to be a very close family," James explained. "There's seven grandchildren, and it's wonderful them spending time together and making memories." This closeness was visibly demonstrated in the Princess of Wales's recent cancer recovery video, which featured her parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, playing cards with Kate, William, and their children at Anmer Hall in Norfolk.
James publicly supported his sister following the video's release, commenting on the Prince and Princess of Wales's Instagram post: "I couldn't be more proud", alongside a red heart emoji.
The businessman, who authored the 2024 memoir Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life, has previously spoken about how Kate helped him through severe mental health battles. He described her as a "sensitive, strong and emotionally intelligent woman" and said her own cancer diagnosis taught him the importance of offering unconditional support to loved ones.
The full interview is available in the latest issue of HELLO! magazine.
