James Middleton knew early on that Prince William was the perfect match for his older sister Kate Middleton. In a new excerpt from his upcoming book Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life, published by The Daily Mail, James recalls learning of Kate’s engagement to the Prince of Wales and how she “blossomed” after meeting him.
“There is a terrific buzz throughout the country because the rumor is spreading that Catherine and William are about to get engaged,” James wrote, noting that his family knew “a day or so” before the official announcement. He added that he, Pippa, and Kate were at a local pub in a village near Bucklebury when they found out the exciting news.
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“We sit in a corner, chattering quietly. Catherine whispers the news and says it will become public in the next day or so. Pippa and I want to be visibly excited, but we have to tamp down our emotions so no one suspects a thing,” James continued. “We make a quiet acknowledgement that we’ll always be there for each other, look out for one another, support each other. No matter how crazy things get.”
Kate and William dated for nearly 10 years before getting engaged and the prince already felt like family to James. “William has been in our lives for so long and we’ve grown very fond of him. He feels like our older brother and he and Catherine are so clearly a good fit, just right for each other,” he said. “As we digest the news, I know I haven’t yet experienced the love they feel for each other myself. But I’m hoping one day I will.”
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He continued, “I thought how lucky William was to be marrying my capable, down-to-earth big sister, and I felt absolutely reassured that they were in love.”
James also revealed the positive changes he observed in his sister since meeting William. “It was beautiful to see how he brought out her confidence. She’d blossomed,” James said. Of William, he added, “I knew he’d look after her, and he does to this day.”
