This week, a devastating health struggle within the Princess of Wales' close-knit family has been brought to light in a harrowing new book from her younger brother, James Middleton. One moment, he knew his sister was deeply in love and felt reassured about her engagement to Prince William. In recent months, the couple’s relationship has become the focus of public fascination, especially since Netflix’s popular royal series *The Crown* dramatized their love story, which began at St. Andrews University in Scotland in 2001.
While the engagement announcement, like any other significant royal engagement, was carefully managed by *The Firm*, Catherine informed her family of her decision days before the public announcement in 2010, amid swirling rumors. James Middleton recalls the excitement and buzz that swept the country before the official announcement. He shared how his sister sat him and Pippa, 41, down in a quiet corner of a village pub in Bucklebury, Berkshire, in November 2010 to share the news.
“We made a quiet acknowledgment that we’ll always be there for each other, look out for one another, and support each other,” James said. He added, “Pippa and I wanted to be visibly excited, but we had to tamp down our emotions so no one would suspect a thing.” After the official announcement, James shared that he had a moment of realization while walking through Battersea Park in Southwest London. It was then he knew William was the right man for his older sister and that it was true love.
James also recalled a heartwarming, unexpected story about how his wife, Alizée Thevenet, first met his royal nieces and nephews: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. According to James, the encounter wasn’t planned at all. After attending a wedding near his parents’ home in Berkshire, James and Alizée decided on a whim to stay the night at his childhood home, unaware that the Wales family was also staying there for the weekend.
The next morning, James was woken by the sound of giggling outside the bedroom door. “It’s George and Charlotte,” he recalled. Unbeknownst to him, all three royal children were in the house with his parents. Wanting to let Alizée sleep a little longer, James gently hushed the children and took them downstairs.
Downstairs, James found his sister and brother-in-law, William, already enjoying their early morning tea in the kitchen. At that time, his girlfriend had just gotten out of bed, her hair still tousled, and she was wearing one of his shirts. “In situations like these, Alizée is wonderfully French. She doesn’t panic or rush upstairs to get dressed. Instead, she just greets everyone warmly, as if it’s not remotely unusual to be meeting her boyfriend’s sister and brother-in-law for the first time while wearing an oversized man’s shirt,” James said.
The royal children began asking all kinds of cheeky questions at lightning speed: “How come you weren’t there when we went to bed? And who is this lady? Is she your girlfriend?” shared James. “I told Charlotte and George, ‘Yes, she is my girlfriend,’ and introduced her to them. Then, we were all talking and laughing as if she’d been a part of the family for years.”
Meanwhile, the Prince and Princess of Wales have once again captured hearts with their warm and affectionate displays in a newly released video by Kensington Palace. The touching footage, released on Monday, also included an important update from Catherine regarding her recent battle with cancer. Those close to the Wales family have pointed to several hopeful signs of Catherine’s progress amid her recovery, with Prince William offering subtle hints of optimism.
An insider shared that William has appeared noticeably more relaxed recently and that his diary of engagements following the summer break is fuller than expected. The future king has been receiving cards and gifts for his wife, and he gave a brief but encouraging 12-word update on her condition: “It’s good news, but there’s still a long way to go.”
