James Middleton Announces New Memoir About Beloved Dog Ella — and the Story He Included to Share with His Son

Mar. 15, 2025

James Middleton poses for a photo with his dogs Inka, Luna, Ella and Mabel in London in 2020.Photo: Kirsty O’Connor/PA Images via Getty

James Middletonput pen to paper in memory of his late dogElla, who he credited as his strength while struggling with depression.

On Friday,Kate Middleton’s younger brother announced that he has written a memoir,Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life, which will be published on Sept. 26.

“Now, as many of you know, I credit Ella to saving my life when I was eclipsed with clinical depression, and she passed away just over a year ago. I was heartbroken…we were inseparable for 15 years. So I decided to share her journey through this book,” James, 36, explained in anInstagramvideo, where he proudly held up the first manuscript.

“I know many of you have your own Ellas or might be in need of one. I hope 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 actually looking after us in return,” he added.

James announced in January 2023 that his beloved dog died following a “short illness,” and he toldTatlerthat writing the book helped him deal with grief after her death.

“Another of the reasons that I wanted to write this book was so that I could tell Inigo the story of how I met his mother,” he added of thesweet storyabout how he met his future wife after Ella ran up to her in a restaurant.

James toldTatlerthat his therapist suggested speaking out loud to Ella while navigating depression, which reminded him “how powerful it can be to put things into words.”

Ella was the first dog James owned in adulthood, and he previously said thatbringing her alongto his therapy sessions made all the difference.

“I would go so far as to say that I owe Ella my life, and she doesn’t know that,” he added.

James Middleton with his dogs Inka, Luna, Ella and Mabel in London in 2020.Kirsty O’Connor/PA Images via Getty Images

Kirsty O’Connor/PA Images via Getty Images

The same year, he launched an all-natural pet food company named Ella & Co. in 2020 in her honor. Over the summer, herebranded the businessas James & Ella to better reflect her legacy.

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James and Alizee are pet parents to six other dogs, but they brought Ella into theirbirth announcementfor Inigo on social media.

“We have settled into our new life as parents and I’ve told him all about Ella and that if it wasn’t for her he wouldn’t be here today and that we miss her greatly. The dogs have been fantastic at welcoming their little brother into the pack,” James wrote in part.

If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

source: people.com