Princess Kate is “still the same person”, according to her brother James Middleton, who has issued a fierce defence of the Princess of Wales.

James has written a new memoir, titled Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life, where he has spoken about the close-knit relationship between him and his siblings, Kate and Pippa.


Kate, 42, is now the Princess of Wales and the next Queen of the United Kingdom.

The royal has attended thousands of engagements, met with world leaders and Hollywood stars and acquired numerous titles, all while being a hands-on mother to Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6.

Princess Kate and James MiddletonKate is ‘still the same person’ as James Middleton issues fierce defence of the Princess of WalesPA

In a new interview, James, 37, offered a rare insight into Kate’s personality and how she has managed to remain grounded despite her status as the future Queen of England.

He said: “Catherine is very much on a public stage and I’m in awe of a lot of the things she does.”

James continued to tell Us Weekly: “I think the thing I’m most proud of is that she’s still the same person that I grew up with.”

The father-of-one said that Kate was a doting and generous older sister who never let her younger brother feel left out.

Kate Middleton and James MiddletonKate and James Middleton photographed together in 2007Getty

Writing in Meet Ella, James said: “Growing up surrounded by three strong, capable women felt like having three mothers, and I would rely on Catherine and Pippa for advice.”

His memoir chronicles how his former cocker spaniel Ella (who died in 2023) helped him cope with clinical depression.

James continued: “They never dismissed me as their little squirt of a brother who wasn’t worthy of their attention.

“On the contrary, they let me join in their games and included me in their friendships — they still do to this day.”

Kate Middleton and James MiddletonJames Middleton posted this childhood image of himself and Kate on Instagram back in MarchInstagram / James Middleton
James MiddletonJames Middleton’s new book includes how his pet helped him turn away from his suicidal thoughts on an evening in 2017Instagram / James Middleton

He also claimed Kate was a source of strength when he contemplated suicide in 2017.

This was partly because of the work the Princess of Wales has done regarding mental health issues.

James added: “Catherine had been doing a lot of work with Heads Together, so there was actually more awareness of how to communicate.”

He noted that both Kate and Pippa, 41, “were fantastic in supporting my parents through that as well”.