Most recently, James Middleton celebrated a special occasion—a son, Inigo Middleton’s—second birthday. He posted a pretty moving tribute on IG that included this awesome photo of Inigo cuddling with their dog Mabel. Writing on Instagram, Middleton wrote movingly about his affection for son Inigo and their dog friends. He does so with his wife, Alizee Thevenet.
Inigo is also a pandemic pup, recently celebrating his 2nd birthday! He’s already winning the cuteness contest in hundreds of social media posts with his dad and their dogs. Middleton too has felt the transformative joy of parenthood. Her latest book, Meet Ella, The Dog Who Saved My Life, is being released in 2024. His profound connection to animals and their importance in his life is evident in this work.
Middleton lives in an idyllic farmhouse in the Berkshires, where he continues to pursue his love of dogs. With Mabel, he has another dog, Orla, and fondly remembers his departed cocker spaniel, Ella. Ella, who died in January 2023, was instrumental in shaping Middleton’s life. He attributes his emotional resiliency to the time she spent nurturing him through an acute period of clinical depression.
In his birthday message for Inigo, Middleton wrote, “Happy Birthday Inigo. We love you as much as you love Mabel….and that is a lot. And Ella is saying hello today too.” This feeling is indicative of the deep impact that Ella continues to have on the family’s lives, even in her absence.
Reflecting on fatherhood, Middleton shared the profound impact of his son’s arrival: “No matter how much people say to you about how wonderful it is, or how it will change your life, nothing can ever prepare you for that experience of seeing a little baby that’s yours arrive. It unlocks something in your heart that you didn’t know was there.”
Inigo inherits his father’s love of dogs, deepening the family’s connection with their loyal companions. For Middleton, these animals provided primary relationship building blocks. They have guided his experiences and deepened his relationships in their wake.
