Importance Score: 25 / 100 🔵
The recollections of James Middleton, brother of Kate Middleton, include vivid details of the family getaways they enjoyed during his formative years. These childhood vacations were cherished moments spent with his parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, and his sisters, the Princess of Wales and Pippa Middleton.
Memories of Past Adventures
At 37, James shares a strong bond with both his sisters.
“Vacations usually involved loading up the car and driving to a destination,” Middleton shared with The Sunday Times. “My parents, sisters, and I would explore various locations in the Swiss Alps each summer, such as Les Masses, or we’d head to Avoriaz in France.”
Scenic Alps Escapades
“Dad would locate a mountain shelter where we’d enjoy a rather rustic soup-like meal for supper, but we were so ravenous from a day of trekking that it was delicious,” James recounted.
“Then we would quickly fall asleep in our bunk — all five of us would sleep on one long bunk, surrounded by fellow hikers,” he continued. “The next day, we’d rise early, put our hiking boots back on, and proceed with our journey, arriving at another village.”
Nostalgic Nature Experiences
Middleton, who has a one-year-old son, Inigo, with wife Alizée Thevenet, reminisced about the “vivid memories of beautiful butterflies, wildflower meadows, and the sounds of cowbells.”
James and Thevenet, who wed in 2021, experienced a similar vacation in the summer of 2024. “When we took Inigo to Valmoral in the French Alps to visit Alizée’s family, there were the same scents, the same marmot calls; it was a surreal moment that took me back to childhood summers when I’d hike up mountains with a backpack that was larger than me,” he said. “I can’t wait for Inigo to create those kinds of memories.”
Royal Connections and Personal Reflections
While the businessman infrequently discusses his famous sister, he did post a heartfelt message on social media following Princess Catherine’s public disclosure of her cancer diagnosis last March.
“Over the years, we have scaled many peaks together,” he wrote alongside a picture of the pair as children and a heart emoji. “As a family, we will tackle this one with you too.”
The photograph shows a young Kate standing behind her brother, both donning backpacks.
Significance of Mountains
Speaking on his choice to share that particular image, the father of one stated that “mountains hold a significant place in my life.”
“They serve as a reminder of our vulnerability; you’ve got to respect them,” he said. “Growing up, we’d also venture to the Lake District, staying in rented cottages around Coniston Water and Windermere.”
Family Bonding in the Lake District
“The Lake District is a very special place for us as a family,” he said. “The escapades we’d embark on as kids, from rock climbing on the crags to exploring the caves, were like something straight out of The Famous Five. As adults, my siblings and I make sure to spend time together with our families, especially during Christmas.”
“These moments are milestones because my sisters recall when their children were wearing certain things and their ages—it transports them back in time. It’s a wonderful experience for them,” Middleton concluded.