Kate Middleton’s brother James shares a rare photo of his son Inigo with the family dogs – as he thanks his late pup Ella for giving him a family

James Middleton has shared a rare photo of his son Inigo as he looks back on intimate family moments – all of which he says were possible thanks to his late dog Ella.

On Instagram, the younger brother of the Princess of Wales shared photos of his son and the puppies, accompanied by his wife Alizée Thevenet.

The couple welcomed Inigo into the world last October, but James rarely shares photos of his son on social media.

In his latest post, made on a sunny day by James’ family as they watched him read from his new book on grief, he thanks his late dog, Ella, who inspired the book, for also giving him family that he always wanted.

The 37-year-old businessman, who lost cocker spaniel Ella last year after they spent 15 years together, has named his forthcoming memoir Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life.

As Inigo appeared to put his arm around one of the family dogs, he looked adorable in his navy blue dungarees and a white top with a Peter Pan collar.

In the caption, James named his dog Ella because he introduced him to his wife Alizée.

He wrote: ‘I wish moments like this could last forever. This special moment is all thanks to Ella. Let me explain; Alizée, Inigo and all the dogs came to hear me speak for the first time about my book Meet Ella.

‘Ella introduced me to Alizée, a few years later we got married, and a year or so later Inigo arrived. Ella and Inigo have never met, but Ella is with us every moment.

“So if it hadn’t been for that moment…I wouldn’t have been able to capture this moment.”

Many rushed to the comments to praise the doting dad and his love for his dogs.

One person said: ‘Beautiful pictures!! Dogs are the greatest gift to us.” Someone else wrote: ‘What a sweet, special moment.’

Another said: ‘A dog is the greatest gift we could have given our son. Their bonds are so pure and beautiful.”

Father-of-one James, who tied the knot with his wife in the village of Bormes-les-Mimosas on the Côte d’Azur in September 2021.

He credits Ella for introducing him to his wife Alizée, when the pair met when the pup ‘came to her’ in 2018.

Writing in the TelegraphJames, who was ’embarrassed’, went to him ‘to apologize and bring Ella back’.

He recalled how Alizee thought he was a waiter and “ordered her a drink while she continued to pet Ella, who at the time was lying on her back, soaking up the attention.”

He continued, “I didn’t know it, but I had just met my future wife, all thanks to Ella.

‘If I hadn’t trusted Ella, I wouldn’t have taken her to the South Kensington Club and she wouldn’t have been able to say goodbye to the woman who became my fiancé.’

James’ book tells his story through his relationship with his beloved pet, but also reveals how the entrepreneur wanted ‘nothing more than a dog of his own’ as a child.

It will also include stories of how James would write letters to parents Michael and Carole asking if they could get a pet, and tell stories about his sisters Kate and Pippa, as well as his romance with his wife.

Last month, youngest Middleton revealed the book’s heartwarming cover on Instagram, which showed James dressed in a blue checked shirt with Ella wrapped around his shoulders.

James appeared at the Goodwoof event in Chichester, West Sussex, last weekend, where he unveiled the book’s cover.

Photos from the event show him beaming as he is joined by his other puppies who sat in his personalized Babboe bike as he held up the new cover.

He wrote in a moving Instagram post: ‘For fifteen years, Ella carried me over the obstacles life threw at me… but in our last moments together, I carried her.

‘This photo means so much to me and I chose it as the cover of my upcoming book.

‘It was made by my wife Alizée during one of our last walks together. I had tears in my eyes because I knew she was getting weaker every day. But we enjoyed every last moment we could together.

‘It was great to release the cover @goodwoofdogs and really touched by how many of you came to hear me talk about the book and dealing with the loss of a dog.’

Fans took to the comments to express their excitement about the book’s release and praised James for writing it.

One user wrote: ‘I know exactly what you mean. I just lost my sweet boy after 17 years and we sure have experienced so much life together. I am devastated and miss him so much

Another wrote: ‘Huge congratulations James! So great that you can share your story with others.’

A third said: ‘I can’t wait for this book. My dog ​​is almost 17 years old and has been my longest companion. I know that his days are drawing to a close and coming to an end.”

A fourth commented: ‘What a beautiful photo. I will definitely buy your book! I’m glad dear Ella was always there for you.’

James credits Ella with saving his life after he was diagnosed with clinical depression, which first struck him in late 2016.

In a clip shared online, James said: ‘I thank Ella for saving my life when I was overshadowed by clinical depression. She introduced me to my wife, gave me purpose, and loved me unconditionally.

‘I know many of you have your own Ellas or may need one now, and I hope this book will also help us talk more openly about our mental health, our need for connection and the way the animals which we I think we make sure that we always take care of us in return.”

In 2020, James also launched dog food brand Ella&Co, named after his black cocker spaniel.