Princess Kate's brother James Middleton has offered an insight into his sister's cancer journey as the future queen enters the next chapter of her recovery.
Mum-of-three Kate, who announced her cancer diagnosis earlier this year, recently revealed that she has now completed her chemotherapy treatment in a moving video featuring her husband Prince William, and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
It's understood the Middletons have 'rallied around' the Wales family, with their support providing a much-needed 'safety blanket', as per royal commentator and biographer Duncan Larcombe.
This includes younger brother James, who in a touching Instagram post shared after Kate's diagnosis, promised: "Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too."
Father-of-one James has suggested that the pup has provided a great deal of comfort during the Princess of Wales' cancer journey. During a recent interview with HELLO! Magazine about his book, which will be published next week, James was asked whether he believed Orla might have had a part in supporting Kate, 42, through her illness.
Bershire-based James, who owns six dogs, revealed: "I know how much the dogs, for me, have helped in taking your mind off something. So I'm certain that for them, Orla is doing her job in supporting her family."
In another part of the interview, James, 37, spoke of how the close-knit Middleton clan make sure to rally around each other during times of hardship, with this past year having proven to be particularly difficult. He shared: "We are certainly a close family that goes through things together. That was the experience I had through my challenges, and I certainly feel like it's something that her [Catherine's] family and our family are doing too."
In his new book, animal lover James details how his dog Ella helped him through a period of poor mental health, during which time he suffered a deep depression and suicidal thoughts. The businessman, who is now an ambassador for Dog's Trust and Pets as Therapy, has previously bred six litters of puppies, with two of Ella's canine relatives gifted to similarly outdoorsy Kate.
In 2011, the same year as their fairytale wedding, Kate and William welcomed beautiful English cocker spaniel Lupo, from Ella's first litter. Sadly, in November 2020, they had to say goodbye, sharing a poignant statement that will likely resonate with pet owners everywhere.
Kate and William, then known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, wrote: "Very sadly last weekend our dear dog, Lupo, passed away. He has been at the heart of our family for the past nine years and we will miss him so much. - W & C."
In 2020, William and Kate welcomed Orla, born from Lupo's sister, Luna. The sweet girl's Celtic name - which means 'Golden princess' - makes her a natural fit for palace life.
If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] or visit their site to find your local branch.
Get our daily royal round-up direct to your inbox By Natalie Oliveri| 3 days ago
James Middleton believes the Wales' family dog has played an important role in the Princess of Wales' recovery from cancer.
Middleton, 37, credits his own dog, Ella, for saving his life when he was in the depths of despair.
He's written a book about his experiences, Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life, which details the night he contemplated ending his life, in 2017.
READ MORE: Prince Harry says his mum Diana would be 'incredibly proud'
But it was his cocker spaniel, Ella, who stopped Middleton from doing it, when he saw her looking up at him and he wondered what would happen to her if he were not around.
The healing power of animals is a major theme in Middleton's book and his dog Ella is praised for not only saving him that night, but for turning his life around.
READ MORE: Journalist felt empathy for Prince Andrew after disastrous interview
He's now married and father to an 11-month-old son.
Sadly, Ella is no longer here but her relatives are. Middleton's sister Pippa has one of Ella's sons and the Princess of Wales and her family have one of Ella's granddaughters, named Orla.
During an interview about his book, Middleton was asked whether he believed Orla might have had a part in supporting Kate, 42, through her illness.
"I know how much the dogs, for me, have helped in taking your mind off something," Middleton tells Hello! in its print edition.
READ MORE: Insider reveals Queen Mary's secret visit to New York department store
"So I'm certain that for them, Orla is doing her job in supporting her family."
The Princess of Wales was photographed in public on Sunday attending church at Balmoral with the Prince of Wales.
It was Catherine's first appearance in public since announcing she had finished chemotherapy, a milestone she revealed through the release of an intimate family video filmed in Norfolk.
In the video, the princess said she was "entering a new phase of recovery" in her "complex, scary and unpredictable" cancer journey.
Kate added she was "looking forward to undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months", but that her focus would be on "doing what I can to stay cancer free".
Last Tuesday, the princess returned to work by hosting a meeting related to her Early Years project at Windsor Castle.
In an interview with The Times, Middleton said that his dog Ella had come to him for an important reason – to help him through his biggest challenges.
The dog passed away in January 2023.
"Saying goodbye to Ella was not just saying goodbye to her as a dog," Middleton told The Times.
"It was everything I'd been through with her. She had arrived just as I was starting out in my twenties and she was leaving as I'd finally figured things out in my mid-thirties.
"She put me on the right path and I didn't want another day from her. I didn't want another hour. I would have loved it but I didn't need it.
"She was sent to me before I even knew I needed her, but she chose me. She was able to transform my life better than any human could have done and then she put me in the capable hands of someone and together we're now raising our own family."
If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Auto news: Nicolas Cage tried to sell his Cadillac, he wasn't very successful.
© 2024 Nine Entertainment Co. The Princess of Wales's brother has spoken about a very special source of support she is likely leaning on right now
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
The Princess of Wales’s brother, James Middleton' has shared details of the adorable source of support that Catherine has likely been leaning on during recent tough times.
The Princess of Wales recently confirmed that she’s "completed" cancer treatment, six months after she first bravely made her diagnosis public. In the heartfelt video filmed by Will Warr, Kate explained that her "path to healing and full recovery" is a long one, but she is "looking forward" to undertaking a few engagements "when [she] can".
She also described the last nine months as "incredibly tough" and it’s clear from the family focus in this poignant video how much Prince William, their children and the Middleton family have been an immense source of support for her. Now Kate’s brother James has suggested that there’s someone else who could’ve been helping to take her "mind off" things and give her comfort - the family’s beloved cocker spaniel Orla.
Prince William and Kate are believed to have welcomed Orla in 2020 and the Princess has been pictured taking the adorable canine companion to watch the future King play polo. Orla is a much-loved family member and James believes she’s likely been "doing her job" to support Kate.
A post shared by The Prince and Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales)
A photo posted by on
Catherine, the Princess of Wales: A Revelatory Biography of the Future Queen by Robert Jobson | £17 (was £22) on pre-order at Amazon
If you've ever wondered how the Princess of Wales became the woman she is today then look no further than this enlightening biography. Author Robert Jobson spoke with sources both on and off the record and reflects upon Her Royal Highness' beginnings, romance with Prince William and role as future Queen Consort.
Opening up about his own experience of dogs helping him through difficult times, James told Hello! that he’s "certain" Orla has been supporting his sister and her family.
"I know how much the dogs, for me, have helped in taking your mind off something. So I'm certain that, for them, Orla is doing her job in supporting her family," he explained.
Spaniel Orla is the daughter of one of James’s own spaniels, Luna, and was a special gift to Prince William, Kate, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. The Wales family had previously owned another spaniel, Lupo, who passed away in November 2020.
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
He appeared briefly in the Prince and Princess of Wales’s 10th wedding anniversary video which was also filmed by Will Warr. Lupo also sat happily alongside the couple in the first official pictures of Prince George that were shared with the world, showing how integral their pets are to the Wales’s family life.
It’s heart-warming to think that as well as having her nearest and dearest rallying round her, Kate could also have Orla helping to support her at home at Adelaide Cottage.
It was also likely a huge source of comfort for the Princess of Wales that her family were living close by in Berkshire. James reflected that the Middletons are "certainly a close family that goes through things together", adding, "That was the experience I had during my challenges, and I certainly feel like it’s something that her [Catherine's] family and our family are doing too."
The Princess of Wales herself has always remarked upon how tight-knit her family is and shared during her and Prince William’s engagement interview in 2010 that she hoped for a "happy" family of her own in the future too.
"Yes. [Family is] very important to me," she responded. "And I hope we will be able to have a happy family ourselves. Because they've been great over the years - helping me with difficult times. We see a lot of each other and they are very, very dear to me."
Throughout this year, the Middletons have no doubt been there for Kate like never before and in her recent video and the accompanying message, Her Royal Highness revealed how everything she’s gone through has made her appreciate her loved ones even more.
"This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved," she declared.
Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!
The actress featured her home in Architectural Digest and we simply cannot get enough of the elevated yet timeless interiors
By Emily Smith
Published 26 September 24
Polka dots are just as big as leopard spots this season
By Caroline Parr
Published 26 September 24
The Princess of Wales's burgundy dress in 2023 was an outfit that's right on trend today and it proves how wearable this shade is
By Emma Shacklock
Published 25 September 24
The Princess of Wales showed that leopard print and autumnal tones go hand-in-hand and we want her midi dress to make a 2024 comeback
By Emma Shacklock
Published 24 September 24
Kate's cosy staples are inspiring us as the weather gets chilly
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse
Published 24 September 24
The Princess of Wales's signature autumn style hasn't changed much over the years and her knee high boots and green coat are still so chic
By Emma Shacklock
Published 18 September 24
The Prince of Wales reportedly 'wanted' his wife to be known by another title after their wedding but it would have meant changing the 'system'
By Emma Shacklock
Published 17 September 24
The Princess of Wales' brother has described the moment he and Pippa heard about her engagement ahead of the public announcement
By Emma Shacklock
Published 16 September 24
The Princess of Wales and Pippa seem to have upheld a special tradition when they became mums and it was started by Carole
By Emma Shacklock
Published 4 September 24
The Princess of Wales could reportedly have mixed feelings about Prince George, Charlotte and Louis' school holidays coming to an end
By Emma Shacklock
Published 4 September 24
Woman & Home is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.
