James Middleton, the brother-in-law of the future King and sibling to Princess Kate, has opened up about his life in the public eye. Despite his Royal connections, he's not often recognised for them when out and about.

"I don't know if I'm recognised often on holidays. I don't put myself in the category of being a celebrity, as I'm essentially known by default," the 37 year old entrepreneur told the Sunday Times. "But people sometimes reach out to me on social media to say they've seen me with the dogs."

James, along with his wife Alizée Thevenet, are doting parents to their 15-month-old son Inigo and also to their six dogs: Mabel, Nala, Zulu, Inka, Isla, and Luna. It seems that it's the canine members of the family who are more likely to turn heads.

"I think they recognise the dogs first, to be honest," James shared, talking about the attention his pets receive over him during their daily strolls.

Middleton holds his furry friends dear, having written about the profound impact they've had on his life, reports The Mirror.

His memoir, 'Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life', released in September 2024, pays tribute to his late dog Ella, who passed away in 2023, and recounts how she played a pivotal role in helping him through a tough time in 2017.

"Life is no longer worth living," Middleton confessed in his harrowing memoir. "I feel suicidal. I contemplate ways of dying so I can get off the giddy roller-coaster that is sending me to the brink of madness."

Reflecting on a time when Ella, his spaniel, noticed his "strange, agitated state of mind" and he found himself on the roof of his house in a spell of depression, he shared: "Dark thoughts crowd in on me. What can I do to make them stop? I think about jumping from the rooftop."

"As I pace, I look down through the skylight and see my spaniel Ella's gentle eyes looking back up at me. Like me, she has been wakeful all night."

Ella's crucial intervention ended up saving his life, a bond that had been growing ever since James first introduced the pup into his home many years prior. "I have loved her with every bit of my being since she was a tiny, sightless, newborn pup," he expressed his deep affection.

"She has been my companion, my hope, my support through my darkest days."

After forming an unbreakable bond with Ella, James went on to welcome more dogs into his life, fostering a strong sense of togetherness with the cherished family pets. He joyously admitted to housing six additional furry friends!

Speaking fondly of his canine companions, James revealed in Sunday's interview, "The dogs love going on car journeys - and there are increasingly more wonderful dog-friendly hotels in the U.K., where you feel that the dogs are being looked after better than you are," Middleton stated, showcasing his undeniable love for the loyal animals.

"The dogs get their own menus and beds and everything. It's fantastic to see hotels opening up that cater to the whole family; four-legged friends as well as two-legged ones."

For help and support with feelings of depression or suicide, contact Samaritans 24 hours a day on 116 123.