Who is James Middleton? James William Middleton, born April 15, 1987, is a British entrepreneur and mental health advocate. Known as the younger brother of Catherine, Princess of Wales, James has carved his own path through various business ventures and personal challenges. From starting a cake-making business to launching a dog food company, his entrepreneurial spirit shines. Beyond business, James has been open about his struggles with dyslexia and depression, using his platform to raise mental health awareness. His memoir, Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life, highlights his journey and the pivotal role his dog Ella played in his recovery.
Key Takeaways:
- James Middleton, brother of the Princess of Wales, overcame dyslexia and mental health struggles to become a successful entrepreneur. His love for dogs and advocacy for mental health shines through his memoir.
- From baking cakes to launching a dog food company, James Middleton's entrepreneurial journey has been filled with both triumphs and challenges. His candid memoir, "Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life," offers a unique glimpse into his royal family connections and personal struggles.
Early Life and Family Background
James Middleton's life is deeply intertwined with his family's history and achievements. Let's explore his roots and upbringing.
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Birth and Family Background: Born on April 15, 1987, at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, Berkshire, James is the youngest child of Michael and Carole Middleton. His father worked as a British Airways flight dispatcher, while his mother was a flight attendant.
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Siblings: James has two older sisters, Catherine (born 1982) and Philippa (born 1983). Catherine is famously known as the Princess of Wales.
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Education: He attended St Andrew's School in Pangbourne. Later, he briefly studied at the University of Edinburgh but left to chase entrepreneurial dreams.
Entrepreneurial Ventures
James Middleton has always had a knack for business. His ventures span from baking to personalized gifts.
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Cake-Making Business: Inspired by the nostalgic aroma of a mother's baking, James started his first business, creating cake kits for adventurous bakers. These kits included themes like "football cakes."
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Business Expansion: His cake business grew to include themed birthday cake kits, distributed by his parents' company, Party Pieces. He even provided cakes for brands like Jigsaw, 3, and Ralph Lauren.
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Buckingham Palace Incident: James made headlines when he baked 21 cakes for Hello magazine's 21st birthday, each featuring a magazine cover with royal family members, including Diana, Princess of Wales.
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Awards and Recognition: His cake business earned accolades like the Smarta 100 and Haines Watts Young Entrepreneur awards.
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Nice Cakes and Nice Wine: In April 2011, James registered three businesses: Nice Cakes, Nice Wine, and Nice Group London. Despite his efforts, he dissolved the Cake Kit Company in 2015.
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Ella & Co: In May 2020, James launched Ella & Co, a mail-order dog food company offering freeze-dried, raw, organic dog food.
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Boomf: Co-founded in 2013 with Andy Bell, Boomf specializes in personalized marshmallows and greeting cards. Initially, James's involvement was kept secret to maintain a low profile.
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Boomf Funding and Challenges: Boomf raised $1 million in 2021 but faced financial difficulties, entering administration by December 2021 and owing £800,000 to creditors.
Personal Life and Mental Health Advocacy
James has been open about his personal struggles and triumphs, particularly regarding mental health.
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Dyslexia: James is dyslexic and has shared his challenges with reading and writing, highlighting his resilience.
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Mental Health Advocacy: He has spoken candidly about his battle with major depressive disorder, crediting his sisters, Kate and Pippa, for their support.
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Therapy Sessions: In January 2018, James invited Kate and Pippa to join him for a therapy session, marking a pivotal moment in his mental health journey.
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Kate's Involvement in Mental Health: Kate's work with Heads Together helped her understand James's experiences, showing deep compassion during his therapy sessions.
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Ella's Role: James credits his dog Ella with being a lifeline during his darkest days, guiding him through his mental health struggles.
Royal Connections and Family Dynamics
James's life is closely linked to the royal family, offering unique insights into their dynamics.
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Royal Connections: The Middleton family shares a close bond with the royal family. Prince William, James's brother-in-law, is particularly fond of Ella.
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Competitive Nature of the Middletons: The Middleton family is known for their competitive spirit, especially in card games like Racing Demon, which made Prince William flinch.
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Queen Elizabeth's Mention: Queen Elizabeth allowed Ella to stay in James's room during visits to Sandringham. Ella once escaped and caused a stir in the kitchen.
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Middleton Family Hiking: The Middletons enjoy outdoor activities. Pippa has written about their love for hiking and climbing Mont Blanc with their parents.
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Michael's Background: Michael Middleton attended the private Clifton College in Bristol and has aristocratic links through his grandmother, Olive Middleton.
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Carole and Michael's Love Story: They met while working for British Airways and married in 1980 at Dorney Court, a Tudor mansion in Buckinghamshire.
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Middleton Coronation Invite: The Middleton family was invited to Prince Charles's coronation in 2023, but there wasn't enough room for Pippa and James's partners.
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Michael's Unexpected Link to Politics: Michael's grandmother, Olive Middleton, came from the Lupton family, a well-known political dynasty.
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Middleton Family Home: Their home, Bucklebury Manor, is a Grade II-listed Georgian mansion in Berkshire, featuring seven bedrooms, a drawing room, a library, and 18 acres of land.
James's Memoir and Personal Insights
James's memoir offers a candid look into his life, mental health journey, and family dynamics.
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Party Pieces: Founded by his parents, Party Pieces is a successful mail-order party supply company.
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James's Memoir: Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life focuses on his mental health journey and Ella's role in his recovery, including revelations about the royal family.
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Prince William's Non-Competitive Nature: James reveals that Prince William prefers to avoid the competitive nature of the Middleton family by spending time with Ella.
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Queen Elizabeth's Jigsaw Skills: James mentions Queen Elizabeth's talent for jigsaw puzzles. Ella once escaped and caused a stir in Sandringham's kitchen.
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James's Dyslexia: He has been open about his dyslexia, discussing the challenges he faced in school and how he overcame them.
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James's RAF Link: The Middleton family has a connection to the RAF through Michael's father, Captain Peter Middleton, who served as an RAF fighter pilot during World War II.
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James's Wedding: James married Alizee Thevenet in 2016. She has been supportive of his mental health journey and family.
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Alizee's First Meeting with the Middletons: Alizee met Kate and William at a wedding near the Middleton family home and quickly became part of their circle.
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James's Mental Health Struggles: He has been open about his battle with depression and suicidal thoughts, crediting his sisters for their support.
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James's Therapy Session with Kate and Pippa: Inviting his sisters to a therapy session in January 2018 marked a significant moment in his mental health journey.
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Kate's Role in James's Therapy: Kate's involvement in mental health initiatives helped her understand James's experiences, showing deep compassion during the therapy session.
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Ella's Impact on James's Life: Ella played a significant role in guiding James through his darkest days, helping him rebuild his life.
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James's Business Ventures: Besides his cake business and dog food company, James has been involved in other entrepreneurial ventures, facing both success and challenges.
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James's Personal Life: Known for his love of dogs and passion for mental health advocacy, James has used his platform to raise awareness about mental health issues.
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James's Memoir Release: Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life was released on September 26, 2024, offering a detailed look into his mental health journey and advocacy for mental health awareness and animal welfare.
James Middleton: A Life of Resilience and Innovation
James Middleton's journey is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of family support. From his entrepreneurial ventures like Boomf and Ella & Co to his candid discussions about mental health, James has shown remarkable strength. His cake-making business, despite its ups and downs, highlighted his creativity and business acumen. James's openness about his struggles with dyslexia and depression has made him a relatable figure, inspiring many to seek help and speak out.
His memoir, Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life, offers a heartfelt look into his life, shedding light on the crucial role his dog Ella played in his recovery. James's story isn't just about overcoming obstacles; it's about using those experiences to make a difference. Whether through his businesses or mental health advocacy, James Middleton continues to leave a lasting impact.
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