Princess Kate's brother James Middleton has been very open about his mental health over the years, and he continues to share his experience to this day in order to help others like him.
In a new interview with OK!, the entrepreneur revealed just how much his dogs helped him while he was struggling with depression.
"How I see them [dogs] is that they were what anyone suffering from mental health needs," Middleton explaind.
"I think first and foremost professional help and to speak to people is the first port of call, but the roles that my dogs played was fundamental in my recovery and my rehabilitation."
He went on, "My dog Ella [who passed away earlier this year] was my reason to get up in the morning, my reason to get dressed and go outside and go for a walk—even if it was pouring with rain.
"You go outside for 10 or 15 minutes, get that fresh air and you suddenly forget for 15 minutes what was traumatizing you. That respite from the thing that was banging away in my mind and causing me to not function properly was unintentionally helped by Ella and the rest of my dogs."
Middleton and his wife Alizee Thevenet have a whole bunch of dogs these days, but he never forgets Ella, carrying a little badge with her portrait on it around. He recently shared a photo of this badge on Instagram with the caption, "Ella still comes with me everywhere I go…even to the coronation"
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
A post shared by James Middleton (@jmidy)
A photo posted by on
Middleton also explained that his dogs have helped him to share his experience of mental health struggles publicly.
"It’s still challenging to talk about it but they gave me the confidence to be able to talk about it," he said.
"And this was where my pivot in life was because I recognized how much my dogs have given me, and I'm just trying to give them an ounce back.
"Unfortunately they are with us for such a short amount of time so I think it's only an ounce that we can give back of how much they've actually given us."
Middleton's older sister, the Princess of Wales, shares her brother's mission of destigmatizing mental health, as well as his love for dogs—since the Wales family currently have a lovely black cocker spaniel named Orla.
Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Bustle and Shape. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
Travis Kelce Accepts Friendship Bracelet From Young Fan at Miami Grand Prix
Too cute!
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Kendall Jenner Spends Her F1 Weekend in Two Ideal Summer Outfits
Her paddock style is classic Americana.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Reese Witherspoon's Daughter Ava Phillippe Has No Time for "Toxic" Body-Shamers
Queen.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Another European Royal Is Set to Abdicate the Throne—Though When, Exactly, Remains Unclear
This follows the shocking abdication of Queen Margrethe of Denmark earlier this year.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands Shares Swoon-Worthy Story of How He Met His Wife, Queen Maxima, in Spain 25 Years Ago
He raised a glass to the country during a state banquet at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, held in honor of King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Royal Family Is Up Against Its “Biggest Crisis” Since the 1936 Abdication, Expert Says
“It’s been quite shocking.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
King Charles and Princess Kate’s Aligning Cancer Battles Show “The Cracks Turning Into Craters” for the Monarchy, Royal Author Says
The King always wished for a “slimmed-down monarchy”—but not like this.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
The Reason Members of the Royal Family Aren’t Allowed to Eat Sandwiches with Square Corners Goes Way, Way Back
Royal family protocol weirdness is possibly nowhere more pronounced than in their interesting food rules.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Meghan Markle's New Brand Is "No Different" From What King Charles, Other Royals Have Done for Decades: Expert
Her new venture has predictably received criticism ahead of launch.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Omid Scobie: Princess Kate’s Photoshop Scandal Exposes Just the Tip of the Iceberg of “Years of Deceit, Coverups, and Lies”
His comments come after news agency AFP said Kensington Palace is no longer a "trusted source."
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Your Next Must-Watch Royal Film Hits Netflix on April 5, and the Trailer Was Just Released
‘Scoop’ depicts Prince Andrew’s catastrophic November 2019 BBC 'Newsnight' interview.
By Rachel Burchfield Published