James Middleton, the younger brother of Catherine, Princess of Wales, has spoken about how his dog Ella helped him overcome clinical depression. In his new book, Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life, the 37-year-old details his struggles with mental health and the pivotal role his beloved cocker spaniel played in his recovery.
Middleton, who now lives on a Berkshire farm with his wife and son, described feeling that he did not have the right to suffer from depression or anxiety. He said that his sisters, Catherine and Pippa, excelled at school while he struggled academically, later discovering he had dyslexia and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).
He criticised the education system for being 'archaic' and 'not fit for purpose', arguing that it tries to force students into a 'round hole' rather than nurturing different talents. Middleton left Edinburgh University to pursue business ventures and credited Ella, who he acquired as a student, with saving his life during his darkest moments.
The book charts his journey from childhood through his sister's rise to fame and his own entrepreneurial successes, before his sudden descent into depression. Middleton hopes his story will encourage others to seek help and challenge the stigma around mental health.
