James Middleton reveals his son Inigo spent the primary yr of his life ‘considering he was a canine’
James Middleton has shared heartwarming details about his son, including the hilarious anecdote about how the tot spent the first year of his life thinking he was a dog.
The Princess of Wales‘s younger brother, who turns 38 next week, shared the memory during an intimate chat with Hello! magazine.
For the publication’s special pet issue, James invited them to his sprawling farmhouse in Bucklebury, Berkshire, and opened up about how his son Inigo and wife Alizée Thevenet have developed their own bonds with his beloved pet dogs.
He said the 18-month-old fell ‘in absolute love’ with his golden retriever, Isla, so much so that the tot at one point thought he was a dog and spent a year of his life on ‘all fours’.
Set against an idyllic backdrop, James and Rosalind casually walked across the 30-acre farm as sheep and dogs scurried around in the background.
In a video shared to YouTube, James recounted the ‘entertaining’ tale.
‘Well I think he spent the first year of his life thinking he was a dog – being on all fours’ said James.
‘It was quite entertaining to watch’. He then joked that Inigo’s first word could have been “woof!”
‘He absolutely loves the dogs’ he continued. ‘In particular Isla… she’s the youngest dog we have… he is just in absolute love with her’.
James Middleton has shared heartwarming details about his son, including how the toddler once thought he was a dog (Pictured: James Middleton with his son Inigo, wife Alizée Thevenet and two of their dogs on holiday)
James said the 18-month-old fell ‘in absolute love’ with golden retriever, Isla, so much so that the tot at one point thought he was a dog and spent a year of his life on ‘all fours’
The doting father also spoke on how close the pup and tot were, and that Inigo can barely get his day started without setting his eyes on Isla.
He said: ‘Every morning he [Inigo] asks to go and see the dogs and he just hugs [them]’.
James revealed that Inigo was now the same ‘head height’ as Isla when she’s seated, making the pup a perfect canine companion for his young son.
‘He [Inigo] then goes and puts his arm around her neck and squeezes and gives her a big hug’ he continued sweetly.
‘She sorts of gives him a lick on his face – normally cleaning up some yoghurt that’s still around his mouth after breakfast’, he joked.
He then went on to say how ‘delighted’ he was that his beloved canine brood had ‘accepted’ his son into the fold.
However James insisted that he would never ‘force’ his own love for dogs onto Inigo and wanted his interest in hounds to pique naturally.
‘I was really conscious… I wanted him [Inigo] to love dogs for what they are and I think that’s just something… he has to build that relationship and bond with them.
James revealed that his son Inigo loved to see the family dogs every morning, and often gave Isla a hug and a squeeze
James owns six dogs in total, of which four are named Zulu, Inka, Luna and Nala, and are all cocker spaniels. He’s also a proud pet father to his golden retrievers, Mabel and Isla
‘He can’t just necessarily absorb my love for dogs and animals’ he concluded.
James owns six dogs in total, of which four are named Zulu, Inka, Luna and Nala, and are all cocker spaniels. He’s also a proud pet father to his golden retrievers, Mabel and Isla.
All his hounds are aged two to 14, while his precious dog Ella, who James revealed ‘saved’ his life when he had clinical depression, passed away at age 15.
Elsewhere in the interview with the publication, James spoke on what it was like living near his family and having his sister, the Princess of Wales and Princess William live just 30 minutes away.
James, who was born in Reading hospital and has lived around the Berkshire countryside all his life, said his parents were just ‘five minutes up the road’.
‘It’s lovely because we see lots of them [my parents], he told Rosalind.
Speaking on having his siblings nearby, he added: ‘All of us are within 30 minutes of each other.
Elsewhere in the interview, James revealed that his family and the Princess of Wales all lived within 30 minutes of each other (Pictured left to right: James’ parents, Carole Middleton and Michael Middleton, James Middleton and wife, Alizée Thevenet and Pippa Middleton)
‘Pippa and James are about 20 minutes away and Katherine and William are about 30 minutes away’.
‘We are a close family and we are fortunate that we see lots of each other and my parents play a good role in getting us all together in that respect’.
Earlier this year James shared a sweet image of his son and beloved family dog all hugged up for Valentine’s Day.
He delighted fans with a rare glimpse of his son, Inigo, who he shares with his wife Alizée Thevenet.
In a heartwarming post captured on Instagram, the adorable tot could be seen cuddling the family dog Isla, while in another photo, he appeared to be clutching the pet’s paw.
The nephew of Kate Middleton was dressed in an adorable beige-coloured onesie in the first snap and a sky blue cardigan in the other shot.
It appears the differing images reveal how Inigo celebrated the official love day in 2024 vs 2025 – with the significance being cute cuddles and time spent with Isla on both years.
The doting father and avid dog lover captured the sweet moment with a message about ‘pure love’.
He wrote: ‘How it started… Valentines 2024. How it’s going… Valentines 2025. Pure Love’.
Fans eager to catch a full glimpse of baby Inigo’s face will sadly be disappointed, however, as his father only shared a portion of the youngster’s face, as well as a photo featuring the back of his head.
