The brother of the Princess of Wales has teased behind-the-scenes royal details in his upcoming memoir.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that James Middleton would be publishing a "tender and sometimes devastating" book called Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life. It's set to hit shelves in September and will tell the story of his first dog Ella and how she guided him through some of the toughest periods of his life as he battled depression and happier times, such as meeting his future wife Alizee.
And now with the book available to pre-order, a new online description of the memoir has been released and teases it will cover events such as his sister's royal wedding to Prince William and being a guest at glamorous society engagements.
It reads: "Struggling to connect in the classroom, James would often take off in pursuit of nature and animals - adventuring in the Berkshire countryside, tinkering with rusty farm machinery, performing locum care to injured creatures, and losing himself for hours to the outdoors.
"Then, finally, his pleas for a dog (made via handwritten letters to his parents) were answered. Meet Ella traces the extraordinary bond between James and his beloved first pup, Ella. From their enchanting introduction when James was just twenty and their many expeditions, from Scottish mountainsides to royal weddings, their journey is marked by love, loyalty, and unexpected twists of fate.
"Ella, the well-mannered and kind-natured companion, accompanied James everywhere, even playing a pivotal role in introducing him to his future wife, Alizee.
"But beyond the glamorous veneer of society engagements and entrepreneurial achievements lies a deeply personal account of James' battle with depression. Through unconditional love, Ella emerges as an intuitive friend, reading James' moods and offering solace during his darkest hours, becoming the catalyst for his healing journey, and helping him to see all the good in his life and future."
James has long been known as a dog lover and has spoken out in the past about his mental health struggles and how he had been supported by his sisters Kate and Pippa. Speaking in March, James said: "Ella was so much more than just a dog – she was part of me, a true companion, my closest confidante, and very often my therapist. My life would not have been the same without her and I wanted to commemorate her and the way that she helped me reconnect with the world at a time when I felt lost.
"I know that many other people will have had their own Ellas, or are perhaps in need of one right now, so I hope that this book will also help us to talk more openly about our mental health, our need for connection, and the way in which the animals that we think we are taking care of are always looking after us in return." The book will be published on September 26, 2024.
James is known to have a tight-knit bond with his sisters and the rest of his family. And when his oldest sister Kate announced to the world that she had received a cancer diagnosis and was undergoing preventative chemotherapy, he posted a heartfelt message on social media.
Sharing a childhood snap of the pair, he wrote: "Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too."