Who is James Middleton, Kate Middleton’s younger brother? He lives a separate life from the British royal family, but is a ‘cool’ uncle to William and Kate’s son Prince George
Middleton is a regular spectator of the tournament. She’s attended the championships every year since her wedding to Prince William in 2011. She only missed it when she gave birth to Prince George in 2013, and in 2020, when the pandemic cancelled the event for the first time since World War I, according to Page Six.
However, Middleton isn’t the only one in her family who’s a huge tennis fan. Her younger brother, James, and his wife, Alizee Thevenet, were also spotted at this year’s tournament in coordinating outfits. James looked dapper in a navy double-breasted suit, while Thevenet wowed in a figure-hugging blouse with matching trousers.
According to OK! magazine, the pair only make rare public appearances, preferring to keep a low profile.
But other than being known as Kate’s younger brother, who is 35-year-old James Middleton?
His business ventures
Being related to a member of the royal family does not guarantee success. In James Middleton’s case, his entrepreneurial pursuits weren’t smooth sailing. In 2007, he founded the Cake Kit Company, a supplier of baking equipment, but went out of business in 2015.
His other company, Boomf, made a loss of US$3.5 million (£3 million) between 2015 and 2018, according to Daily Mail. In December 2021, Middleton finally sold Boomf for US$357,000 to British-Estonian businessman Stepan Galaev after accumulating US$951,000 in debt, the Daily Express reported.
The only business he currently runs is Ella & Co, a happiness and well-being company for dogs, launched in 2020.
He lives a separate life
Middleton’s failed businesses subjected him to intense pressure especially since he was related to the Duchess of Cambridge. But he made it clear that he is “separate” from his sister Kate, according to an interview he gave to Tatler in 2019.
In 2018, after Boomf’s losses, it was reported he became a hotel tour guide at Glen Affric Lodge, the estate owned by David Matthews, Pippa Middleton’s father-in-law. He later clarified that he wasn’t working as a guide but rather as a host.
He may be “separate”, but he’s a doting uncle to Prince George
Middleton previously talked about how he wanted to be the “cool” and “fun” uncle for his sister and Prince William’s children and added that they’re a tight-knit family.
He lives in the countryside
Middleton and Thevenet shared a house in London and spent time at James’ parents Carole and Michael Middleton’s Berkshire home following the pandemic. It was reported that in early 2021, the couple left the city in favour of the countryside, and last May, they began restoring their Berkshire farmhouse worth US$1.7 million.
Beekeeping helps him relax
In 2019, Middleton opened up about his mental health struggles to the Daily Mail. His severe dyslexia and attention deficit disorder gave him “heart thudding anxiety”. In 2020, he was diagnosed with clinical depression, according to People.
Middleton revealed that on his 24th birthday, his family gifted him a beehive to help him unwind. He also credits his dogs for giving him emotional support.
- Having clearly inherited his older sister Kate’s savvy fashion sense, James Middleton was spotted looking chic at Wimbledon recently with wife Alizee Thevenet
- He’s not had much luck as a business owner of Boomf or the Cake Kit Company, so he moved on to work at sister Pippa’s father-in-law’s Glen Affric Lodge in Scotland