James Middleton Issues Plea to Help Stranger Experiencing His 'Worst Nightmare'

Mar. 15, 2025

James Middleton attends the GQ Men Of The Year Awards 2019 on September 03, 2019 in London.Photo:Jeff Spicer/Getty

Jeff Spicer/Getty

James Middletonrecently shared on social media the story of a stranger experiencing what James called his “worst nightmare.”

After the incident, a friend of Pirizlaunched a petition, which caught James’ eye. James, a longtime dog aficionado whose upcoming memoirMeet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Lifepays tribute in its title to his beloved late dog of the same name, then made a plea to help Piriz, encouraging his followers to sign the petition.

“This is so sad,” James, 37, wrote onhis Instagram Story. “As someone who travels regularly, this is my worst nightmare.”

James Middleton and some of his dogs in London.Kirsty O’Connor/PA Images via Getty Images

Kirsty O’Connor/PA Images via Getty Images

James then tagged Air France and added, “It’s International Dog Day on Monday,” referencing the holiday that falls on Aug. 26.

Though James has had many canine members of his family since, it was Ella, who died in January 2023, who was responsible for James meeting his now-wife Alizee. The couple, who married in 2021, are now parents to son Inigo, born last year.

PerHello!, James recounted the day he met Alizee, recalling that “Ella was lying at my feet under the table,” he said. “Realizing she might want some water, I trusted her to take herself over to the water bowl across the terrace. However, she made a beeline for Alizee. Rather embarrassed, I went over to apologize and bring Ella back. But Alizee thought I was the waiter and ordered her drink while continuing to stroke Ella, who at this point was on her back lapping up the attention.”

He added, “Little did I know, but I had just met my future wife, all thanks to Ella. If I hadn’t trusted Ella, I wouldn’t have brought her to the South Kensington Club, and she wouldn’t have been able to say hi to the woman who became my [then-] fiancée.”

Alizee Thevenet and James Middleton attend the Bulgari gala dinner to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on July 1, 2022 in London.David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty

David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty

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James has also been open about his struggles with depression and, after his clinical diagnosis in May 2020, has credited his dogs with providing emotional support ever since,PEOPLE previously reported.

“You can tell a dog your darkest thoughts and trust them because they won’t tell anyone else,” he said. “To put your emotions into words to your dog is a release.”

“Happy International Dog Day,” James wrote alongside a pair of dog paw emojis. “To celebrate we got Inigo a dog of his own…” In the clip, toy dog walks in front of his son, whose face is sweetly covered with a heart emoji.

source: people.com