Kate Middleton’s brother James shares a rare photo of his son Inigo with the family dogs – as he reflects on intimate family moments – which he says are all possible thanks to his late dog, Ella.

James Middleton has shared a rare photo of his son Inigo as he reflects on intimate family moments – which he says are all possible thanks to his late dog, Ella.

Taking to Instagram, the younger brother of the Princess of Wales shared snaps of his son and the pups, accompanied by his wife Alizée Thevenet.

The couple welcomed Inigo into the world last October – but James rarely shares photos of his son on social media.

In his latest post, which was taken of James’s family on a sunny day while they watched him read from his new book about grief, he thanks his late dog, Ella, who inspired the book, for also giving him the family he always wanted.

The 37-year-old businessman, who lost cocker spaniel Ella last year after they spent 15 years together, has named his forthcoming memoir: Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life.

As Inigo appeared to put his arm around one of the family dogs, he looked adorable in navy dungarees and a white top with a Peter Pan collar.

In the caption, James went onto credited his pooch Ella, for introducing him to his wife Alizée.

He wrote: ‘I wish moments like this could last forever. This special moment is all thanks to Ella. Let me explain; Alizée, Inigo and all the dogs came to hear me speak for the first time about my book Meet Ella.

‘Ella introduced me to Alizée, a few years later we got married, another year or so later Inigo arrived. Ella and Inigo never met but every moment Ella is with us.

‘So if it wasn’t for that moment…I would not have been able to capture this moment.’

Many rushed to the comments to praise the doting father and his love for his dogs.

One person said: ‘Beautiful photos!! Dogs are the greatest gift to us.’ Someone else wrote: ‘What a sweet, special moment.’

Another said: ‘A dog has been the greatest gift we could’ve given our son. Their bonds are so pure and beautiful.’

Father-of-one James, who tied the knot with his wife in the Côte d’Azur village of Bormes-les-Mimosas in September 2021.

He credits Ella for introducing him to his wife Alizée, as the pair met when the pup ‘made a beeline’ for her in 2018.

Writing in the Telegraph, James, who was ’embarrassed’, went over ‘to apologise and bring Ella back’.

He recalled how Alizee thought he was a waiter and ‘ordered her drink while continuing to stroke Ella, who at this point was on her back lapping up the attention.’

He continued: ‘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 fiancée.’

James’ book will tell his story through his relationship with his beloved pet, and will also reveal how the entrepreneur wanted ‘nothing more than a dog of his own’ as a child.