James Middleton Believes His Dogs Are ‘More Recognized’ Than He Is
James Middleton may have a royal connection, but that’s not the main reason people approach him when they see him out.
“I’m not sure if I’m really recognized a lot during the holidays. I don’t consider myself a celebrity; I’m more or less known by association,” Middleton, 37, explained in an interview with the U.K.’s Sunday Times published on Sunday, December 29. “However, people do occasionally reach out to me online to mention they’ve spotted me with my dogs.”
He and his wife, Alizée Thevenet, are parents to a 15-month-old son named Inigo, as well as six dogs: Mabel, Nala, Zulu, Inka, Isla, and Luna.
“Honestly, I think it’s the dogs who get recognized first,” Middleton noted about being out with his furry companions. “They’re more well-known than I am.”
In his memoir, Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life, published this past September, Middleton spoke openly about his bond with animals. He shared how his late spaniel, Ella (who passed away in January 2023), played a crucial role in saving his life during a particularly difficult time in 2017.
“There were times when life felt unbearable,” Middleton wrote. “I experienced suicidal thoughts, contemplating ways to escape the overwhelming madness I was enduring.”
He recounted how Ella could sense his “troubled state of mind” on a particularly challenging night when he climbed onto his roof.
“My mind was plagued with dark thoughts. I wondered how to silence them. I considered jumping from the rooftop,” he reflected. “As I paced back and forth, I glanced down through the skylight and was met by the gentle gaze of my spaniel Ella looking up at me. She, too, had been restless all night.”
Throughout his memoir, Middleton reflects on how Ella supported him throughout various challenges over the years.
“From the moment she was a tiny, blind puppy, I loved her with all of my heart,” he shared. “She has been my steadfast companion, my hope, my solace during the darkest times.”
Their strong bond inspired Middleton to open his heart to multiple dogs, resulting in their current six.
“The dogs adore road trips, and there are more fantastic dog-friendly hotels popping up in the U.K. where it seems the dogs are treated better than their owners,” Middleton noted in Sunday’s interview. “The dogs receive specialized menus, beds, and all sorts of luxuries. It’s wonderful to see hotels accommodating the entire family, including our furry friends.”
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