While promoting his new book, Kate Middleton’s brother, James Middleton, gave some rare insight into his sister’s cancer battle.
In an interview with HELLO! Magazine, James revealed how his love of dogs saved him during his battle with depression and believes the dog he gifted Princess Catherine also helped her tremendously.
James, who breeds dogs, has given two puppies to Kate, Prince William and their three children. He gifted the family a puppy named Lupo, who passed away in 2020, in 2011 and more recently, he gifted them a puppy named Orla.
“I know how much the dogs, for me, have helped in taking your mind off something,” James said of his own mental health struggles. “So I’m certain that for them, Orla is doing her job in supporting her family.”
James’ new book “Meet Ella: The Dog who Saved my Life” is all about his mental health journey and the furry companion who got him through it.
And knowing how close they are as a family, James also told HELLO! Magazine, the family dynamic they share is helpful when someone is struggling.
“We are certainly a close family that goes through things together,” he says. “That was the experience I had through my challenges, and I certainly feel like it’s something that (Catherine’s) family and our family are doing too.”
This isn’t the first time James publicly shared his support for Kate.
In an Instagram post shared in March, James revealed a never-before-seen photo of himself and Kate as children.
“Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too,” James wrote in caption.
On September 9, Kate shared a compilation video that features her, her family of five, and Orla as she revealed she has completed her cancer treatments.
In the video, the princess shared that she’s entering a “new phase of recovery” and will be “undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can.”
“As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment,” the 42-year-old shared. “The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family.”
“The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you,” Kate continued. “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.”
Kate said she is now focused on “doing what I can to remain cancer free,” and “with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life.”
“Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes. I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can.”