Kate Middleton may be the future Queen, but to her younger brother James Middleton, she’s still just his big sister.
A woman who, beneath the polished royal image, has been a quiet, supportive presence through the most vulnerable moments of his life.
In a recent interview, James, 38, opened up about the bond he shares with his sisters, Kate, 43, and Pippa, 41, and how their support helped him navigate the darkest chapter of his life.
James Middleton and Kate Middleton’s relationship
Growing up in rural Berkshire, James remembers an idyllic childhood with his parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, and his two sisters.
“I’m incredibly fortunate to have my two sisters. Not just as siblings, but as friends,” James said. “They’ve seen me at my best and at my lowest, and they’ve always been there when I’ve needed them.”
But as he candidly admits, family love is rarely picture-perfect.
He said: “Sibling love is something unique. You can’t choose your siblings, it can be complicated, it takes work, but when it’s strong, it’s one of the most powerful bonds there is.”
For James, the strength of that bond was tested in 2017, when he hit rock bottom.
Struggling with depression, overwhelmed by feelings of worthlessness and haunted by suicidal thoughts, James found himself unable to cope. It was during this time that Kate, Pippa and their mother, Carole, became his lifeline.
“They’ve always been emotionally open, expressive, and in tune with the people around them,” James shared. “I think being surrounded by that kind of emotional intelligence rubbed off on me. Even if I didn’t fully realise it at the time.”
He credits them with showing him that vulnerability isn’t a weakness, it’s a strength.
He said like a lot of men, he “struggled with expressing how I was doing when I was at my lowest”. However, having “strong women” around him with “compassion and honesty helped me learn that vulnerability wasn’t something to fear”.
Their support, he said, “laid the groundwork for me to be able to open up later on”. He said for that, he feels “incredibly grateful”.
What does Princess Catherine’s brother do?
James may be the brother of the future Queen, but he’s carved out his own path.
After working for the family’s party-planning business, Party Pieces, James ventured into entrepreneurship.
His first business, The Cake Kit Company, offered DIY cake making kits designed to make party hosting easier. Although the business eventually closed in 2015, James didn’t give up.
You can’t choose your siblings, it can be complicated, it takes work, but when it’s strong, it’s one of the most powerful bonds there is.
He went on to found Boomf, a company that turned personal photos into marshmallows and greeting cards. Boomf gained attention, but the company closed in 2022.
But perhaps his most personal venture was Ella & Co, a luxury dog food subscription service named after his beloved cocker spaniel, Ella.
After Ella’s death in early 2023, James renamed the company James & Ella in her honour. “She gave me a reason to get up, to go outside, to care,” James shared. “Ella saved my life.”
What is James Middleton’s diagnosis?
James has been remarkably open about his struggles with mental health. In addition to severe depression that nearly ended his life, he was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD).
With therapy, antidepressants and the support of his family, James slowly began to heal.
Although he no longer takes antidepressants, James credits cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with helping him manage his mental health.
