Princess of Wales marking special occasion with her family today

Ben McCaffrey
Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:23:51 +0000

The Princess of Wales is today marking the birthday of her brother, James Middleton, who turns 39.

James has been inundated with celebratory messages on his social media pages.

Prince William and Catherine are believed to be quietly celebrating the occasion.

James is said to have a close bond with both his sisters, Catherine and Pippa, and previously described his childhood as "fantastic".

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"I jokingly say that I had three mothers growing up. I had my mother and my two sisters, who were mothering figures to me," James told Hello previously.

The entrepreneur married Alizee Thevenet on September 11, 2021, where the bride wore her mother-in-law Carole Middleton's wedding dress.

Catherine, Prince William and their three children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven, were in attendance, flying in early to surprise the couple.

The two families are said to have a very close bond, with James writing in his memoir that his future wife acted as though "she has been part of the family for years".

The Princess of Wales's brother is a known lover of dogs, and credits his beloved canine Ella, who died in 2023, for meeting Mrs Thevenet.

He previously recalled the moment he met his future spouse: "Ella was lying at my feet under the table; realising she might want some water, I trusted her to take herself over to the water bowl across the terrace. However, she made a beeline for Alizee.

"Rather embarrassed, I went over to apologise and bring Ella back. But Alizée thought I was the waiter and ordered her drink while continuing to stroke Ella, who at this point was on her back, lapping up the attention.

"Little did I know, but I had just met my future wife, all thanks to Ella."

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The 39-year-old also credits Ella with saving his life back in 2017.

Detailed in his memoir "Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life", James also recounted how, at 2am on a November night, he felt life was "no longer worth living".

Unable to sleep or eat, Middleton found himself on the roof of his flat, considering jumping.

"Dark thoughts crowd in on me. What can I do to make them stop? I think about jumping from the rooftop," he wrote.

But it was the presence of his Cocker Spaniel, Ella, which ultimately prevented James from taking his life.

"Her brown eyes are still staring intently at me, soulful and pleading, and as my gaze locks on hers again, my brain quietens," he wrote.

The thought of what would happen to Ella if he died became the turning point. He realised he couldn't leave her alone.

"She is the reason I do not take that fatal leap. She is Ella, the dog who saved my life," he concluded.

Anyone who is in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide can call the Samaritans anonymously for free from a UK phone on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org.