James Middleton
Born
James William Middleton

(1987-04-15) 15 April 1987
Reading, Berkshire, England
CitizenshipUnited Kingdom
Alma mater
OccupationBusinessman
Spouse
Alizée Thevenet
​
(m. 2021)​
Children1
Parents
FamilyMiddleton

James William Middleton (born 15 April 1987)[1] is a British entrepreneur and the younger brother of Catherine, Princess of Wales.

Born in Reading, Berkshire, Middleton was educated at St Andrew's School, Pangbourne. He briefly attended the University of Edinburgh before dropping out and founding a cake-making business. Middleton began receiving media attention during his eldest sister's relationship and subsequent marriage to Prince William. Middleton is a mental health advocate and has spoken about his experiences with major depressive disorder.[2] Middleton is an ambassador for the Pets As Therapy charity.[3]

Early life and education

James William Middleton was born on 15 April 1987 at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading,[1] the youngest child and only son of Michael Middleton (born 1949), a former British Airways flight dispatcher,[4] and Carole Middleton (born 1955), a former flight attendant.[5][6][7] His father came from a line of solicitors who resided in Leeds, West Yorkshire. His great-grandmother Olive Middleton was a member of the Lupton family, who were landed gentry.[8][9] His mother's family were labourers and miners from County Durham.[7][10][11] Shortly before his birth, Middleton's parents founded Party Pieces, a mail-order party supply company.[12] His elder sisters are Catherine (born 1982) and Philippa (born 1983).[13] The family resided in Bradfield Southend, Berkshire, before moving to the nearby village of Bucklebury in 1995.[14][15][16] Middleton was educated at St Andrew's School, Pangbourne, and Marlborough College.[17][18] In 2006, he attended the University of Edinburgh, studying environmental resources management before dropping out a year later.[19][20]

Career

Middleton's cake-making business, now defunct, was inspired by reading that a mother's baking is a highly evocative childhood memory.[19] He supplied baking kits so home bakers would be able to get all the ingredients in one place for adventurous creations such as "football cakes".[19] He started baking in the family kitchen and expanded into a freight container and converted barns.[19] Themed birthday cake baking kits were distributed by his parents' company, Party Pieces.[19][21]

Themed cakes were later provided for companies such as Jigsaw, 3 and Ralph Lauren.[19] Middleton caused "shudders" at Buckingham Palace after taking part in a Hello magazine photoshoot for which he was commissioned to bake 21 cakes commemorating its 21st birthday, each iced with one of the magazine's front covers – amongst them, several members of the royal family, including Diana, Princess of Wales.[22] The business won Smarta 100 and Haines Watts Young Entrepreneur awards.[23] In April 2011, he registered three businesses: Nice Cakes, Nice Wine, and Nice Group London and planned to expand the Cake Kit Company.[19][22] The Cake Kit Company was dissolved in 2015.[24]

In May 2020, Middleton launched Ella & Co, a mail order dog food company that offers freeze-dried, raw, organic dog food.[25]

boomf

Boomf
TypePrivate
IndustryPersonalised confectionery
FoundedNovember 2013
FoundersJames Middleton and Andy Bell
HeadquartersReading and London, England
Area served
Global
Websitewww.boomf.com

In 2013, Middleton and Andy Bell[26] founded boomf, a company that makes personalised marshmallows and greeting cards.[27][28] Middleton had previously founded Nice Cakes, which specialised in personalised cakes.[29][30] Bell had previously founded Mint Digital,[26] which created StickyGram (now Sticky9), an Instagram magnet company which sold to PhotoBox.[31]

Boomf launched in November 2013 without mentioning Middleton's involvement, to allow for a low profile launch.[32] In January 2014, Boomf announced Middleton's involvement, believing that it would be impossible to keep it secret long-term.[29]

In 2014, Boomf raised over $1m and was backed by a number of angel investors, including Nick Jenkins, founder of Moonpig, Duncan Jennings and Matt Wheeler.[26] Boomf shipped 2 tons of marshmallows in its first year and made £100,000 ($168,000) in sales in its first three months.[33]

In 2015, the company raised funds at a valuation of £10m.[34] Boomf made a loss of £3 million between 2015 and 2018.[35] In July 2015, Boomf launched a nationwide search for a new marshmallow designer. The winner was Bournemouth University student Izzy Burton.[36]

Middleton's brother-in-law, hedge fund manager James Matthews paid Middleton €110,000 for 12,800 Boomf shares.[37] In 2019, Middleton announced that the company had reached profitability with an income of £176,000 in the previous year - and an increase in sales of up to £4.4 million from £2.8 million in the previous year.[38] The company moved into new offices in Reading with circa 20,000 square feet (1,900 m2) to warehouse space. [39]

Boomf raised $1m of funding in 2021,[40] but by December 2021 the company had fallen into administration owing £800,000 to creditors, including £146,306 to HM Revenue and Customs.[41][42] Creditors voluntary liquidation commenced on 4 November 2022.[43]

Personal life

Middleton has hosted deer stalking parties at Glen Affric Estate, owned by the family of Philippa's husband[44][45]

Middleton is dyslexic.[46] He read from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible at the 2011 wedding of his sister Catherine to Prince William.[47] In 2019, he disclosed his struggles with depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which he attributed to public scrutiny from age 23 as a result of his eldest sister's relationship.[48][49] He sought treatment in 2017, undertaking cognitive behavioral therapy.[49][50] Middleton also spent "restorative time" at the Glen Affric Estate, where he has hosted deer-stalking parties. The estate is owned by his sister Philippa's father-in-law.[49][44][45] In the same year, he penned a column in the Daily Mail about mental health.[51][52]

Middleton is an ambassador for the Pets As Therapy charity and has credited his dog, Ella, for helping him through his depression.[53][50] He breeds dogs, owning six, as well as one rescue lamb.[54][55][56] Middleton also keeps bees on the grounds of Bucklebury Manor.[57][58] In April 2020, he founded the Paw Print Fund in aid of animal welfare charities.[55]

Middleton was in a relationship with actress Donna Air from 2013 to 2018.[59] Middleton met French financial analyst Alizée Thevenet (b. 30 November 1989) in 2018 and announced their engagement in September 2019.[60][61] They planned to wed in summer 2020 but postponed the event twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[62] The couple married on 11 September 2021, in Bormes-les-Mimosas, France; his wife wore the 1980s wedding dress belonging to Carole Middleton, her mother-in-law.[63][64] The couple welcomed their first child, a boy named Inigo, in October 2023.[65][66]

Arms

Coat of arms of James Middleton
Notes
The arms of James William Middleton are the arms of his father differenced by a gold label. In heraldry, the label is the mark of the first son.
Crest
A Rock Argent, thereon a Wolf sejant Azure, gorged with a Collar of Roses Argent, barbed and seeded proper, supporting in the dexter forepaw a Caduceus Or, serpent Gules, labeled Or.
Escutcheon
Per pale Azure and Gules, a chevron Or, cotised Argent, between three acorns slipped and leaved Or (Middleton).
Symbolism
The dividing line (between two colours) down the centre is a canting of the name 'Middle-ton'. The acorns (from the oak tree) are a traditional symbol of England and a feature of west Berkshire, where the family lived. The three acorns also denote the family's three children. The gold chevron in the centre of the arms is an allusion to Carole Middleton's maiden name of Goldsmith. The two white chevronels (narrow chevrons above and below the gold chevron) symbolise peaks and mountains, and the family's love of the Lake District and skiing.[67]

Authored articles

  • Middleton, James (28 January 2023). "Farewell Ella, the dog who saved my life". The Times.

References

  1. 1 2 Nicholl, Katie (12 August 2012). "The Other Middleton". GQ. UK. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  2. ↑ Slater, Georgia (24 June 2019). "James Middleton opens up about suffering from 'crippling' depression". USA Today. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  3. ↑ Brunetti, Nic (12 January 2019). "James Middleton reveals his battle with the 'cancer' of depression". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  4. ↑ Rayner, Gordon (16 November 2010). "Royal wedding: Kate Middleton's family background". The Telegraph. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  5. ↑ Ancestry of Kate Middleton at wargs.com, accessed 4 January 2011
  6. ↑ Berlau, John (28 April 2011). "The Entrepreneurs' Princess". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  7. 1 2 Bradford, Sarah (29 April 2011). "Like the Queen Mother and Diana, Kate has the common touch". London Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 3 May 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  8. ↑ - A Photographic Archive of Leeds, Leodis. "Headingley Castle". Leodis – UK Gov. Leeds. UK Leeds Gov. Retrieved 19 October 2014. The Luptons of Leeds were landed gentry; a political and business dynasty.
  9. ↑ Harris, C. (2015). "The Canadian Encyclopaedia - Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge". Retrieved 23 August 2022. Her paternal great-grandmother, Olive Lupton, was a member of the wealthy Lupton family, woolen manufacturers and members of the landed gentry from Leeds. The Lupton family trust would fund the private education of Kate and her siblings. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  10. ↑ Duncan, Pearl (24 April 2011). "The History of Families New and Long Lost: An American Compares Coat of Arms with Kate Middleton's". History News Network. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  11. ↑ Marquand, Robert (29 April 2011). "Royal wedding: Kate Middleton makes history as she walks down the aisle". Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  12. ↑ Cirilli, Corynne (16 October 2018). "Everything You Need to Know About the Middleton Family". Town & Country. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  13. ↑ Gonzales, Erica (12 January 2019). "Everything You Need to Know About Kate's Brother, James Middleton". Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  14. ↑ Luu, Christopher. "Kate Middleton's Brother Shared a Peek Into Her Family's Home". InStyle. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  15. ↑ "Everything you never knew about Pippa Middleton". Evening Standard. 10 May 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  16. ↑ Andersen, Christopher (2011). William and Kate – A Royal Love Story. New York: Simon and Schuster. p. 77. ISBN 9781451621457.
  17. ↑ Stacy, Danielle (6 February 2020). "Duchess Kate's former teachers reveal what she was really like at school". Hello!. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  18. ↑ "The mysterious life of James Middleton, Kate's party-loving little brother who runs a marshmallow company". Business Insider India. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Zoe Brennan (27 April 2011), "The very ambitious Mr Middleton", Daily Telegraph, archived from the original on 28 April 2011
  20. ↑ "5 Things You Didn't Know About James Middleton". US Weekly. 28 April 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2011.
  21. ↑ Jessica Fellowes (1 October 2008), "The 'posh-preneurs' who mean business", Daily Telegraph
  22. 1 2 Eden, Richard (24 April 2011). "Kate Middleton's brother wants a bigger slice of the cake". Telegraph. Retrieved 3 May 2011.
  23. ↑ "Family Value: Why Britain can't get too much of brand Middleton". The Independent. 7 May 2011. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  24. ↑ Praderio, Caroline (27 July 2017). "The Mysterious Life of James Middleton, Kate's Party-Loving Little Brother Who Runs a Marshmallow Company". The Independent. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  25. ↑ "Introducing Ella & Co, James Middleton's new canine-approved business". 18 May 2020.
  26. 1 2 3 Baker, Dylan (8 August 2014). "Middleton Brother's Boomf Instagram Marshmallows Raise Over $1m". TechCityNews. Archived from the original on 11 October 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  27. ↑ Hyde, Marine (6 May 2016). "Boomf! James Middleton's printed marshmallow business puffed up by investors". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  28. ↑ Lodi, Mari (6 October 2019). "Kate Middleton's Brother is Engaged". The Cut. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  29. 1 2 Bryant, Martin (23 January 2014). "James Middleton, Brother of the Duchess of Cambridge: The Man Behind Boomf's Instagram Marshmallows". TNW Blog. The Next Web. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  30. ↑ Nicholl, Katie (9 August 2012). "The other Middleton". British GQ.
  31. ↑ Titcomb, James (24 June 2013). "Printing Site PhotoBox Snaps Up London-Based Instagram Firm". City A.M. Archived from the original on 28 June 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2013.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  32. ↑ Bryant, Martin (25 November 2013). "Boomf: Marshmallows with Your Instagram Photos on Them". TNW Blog. The Next Web. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  33. ↑ Petroff, Alanna (12 August 2014). "Kate Middleton's brother: The Marshmallow Selfie King". CNN Money. London. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  34. ↑ "Boomf Raises £700 in Funding". FinsMes. 9 December 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  35. ↑ "Kate Middleton's brother is working as a tour guide in Scottish hotel after company woes". 30 September 2018.
  36. ↑ Kaur, Melisha (19 July 2015). "Duchess of Cambridge's brother James Middleton chooses artistic collaborator and apprentice for marshmallow brand Boomf". London Evening Standard.
  37. ↑ "James Middleton's marshmallow firm has just recorded massive losses".
  38. ↑ Ward, Fiona (17 August 2019). "James Middleton reveals exciting news: 'It's a wonderful feeling'". Hello!. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  39. ↑ "James Middleton Sells Boomf.com to a consortium of investors". Boomf. 20 January 2022.
  40. ↑ Dunsby, Megan (8 August 2014). "Kate Middleton's brother secures over $1m for Boomf marshmallow start-up". Startups.
  41. ↑ "Appointment of an administrator". Companies House. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  42. ↑ "Duchess of Cambridge's brother James Middleton's failed firm owes £800k". The Times. Retrieved 10 June 2023.(subscription required)
  43. ↑ "08765823 LIMITED insolvency - Find and update company information". gov.uk. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  44. 1 2 Money-Coutts, S. (21 June 2019). "Wild swimming, hiking and hearty breakfasts: on holiday with James Middleton at a luxury Highlands lodge". Daily Telegraph. Got that? James Middleton will be your host.
  45. 1 2 O'Ceallaigh, J. (21 September 2018). "An old dog house and shooting with a Middleton". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  46. ↑ Walker, Tim (29 October 2012). "James Middleton finally speaks up for dyslexia". The Telegraph. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  47. ↑ Tim Ross (29 April 2011), "How Kate Middleton's brother risks upsetting the Prince of Wales", Daily Telegraph
  48. ↑ Brunetti, Nic (12 January 2019). "James Middleton reveals his battle with the 'cancer' of depression". The Telegraph.
  49. 1 2 3 Conway, Clauda (24 June 2019). "The rise and rise of James Middleton". Tatler. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  50. 1 2 Blair, Olivia (14 October 2019). "James Middleton Opens Up About Sister Kate Accompanying Him To Therapy". Elle. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  51. ↑ Yasharoff, Hannah. "'The love of my life': Duchess Kate's brother, James Middleton, marries Alizee Thevenet". USA Today. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  52. ↑ Slater, Georgia. "James Middleton opens up about suffering from 'crippling' depression". USA Today. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  53. ↑ DeSantis, Marissa (19 August 2020). "James Middleton says he 'owes life' to dog Ella who helped with his depression". Evening Standard. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  54. ↑ Napoli, Jessica (23 November 2020). "Prince William and Kate Middleton announce family dog Lupo has died: 'We will miss him'". Fox News. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  55. 1 2 Chung, Gabrielle. "James Middleton Opens Up About How His Dog Has Helped Him with Depression: 'I Owe Ella My Life'". People. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  56. ↑ Boucher, Phil. "James Middleton Reveals New Member of the Family on His 34th Birthday!". People. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  57. ↑ Wallace, Rachel (30 June 2020). "Kate Middleton's Brother Opens Up About His Unexpected Hobby". Architectural Digest.
  58. ↑ Coke, Hope (29 June 2020). "Beekeeping is the new A-list trend to get on board with now, says James Middleton". Tatler. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  59. ↑ McBridge, Caitlin. "Kate Middleton's brother James 'splits with girlfriend of four years' Donna Air". The Independent. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  60. ↑ "5 Things to Know About James Middleton's Fiancee Alizee Thevenet". Us Weekly. 28 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  61. ↑ Pasquini, Maria (6 October 2019). "James Middleton 'Couldn't Be Happier' About Engagement to Alizee Thevenet as She Debuts Sapphire Ring". People. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  62. ↑ Greco, Alanna Lauren (21 March 2020). "Kate Middleton's Brother James Is Delaying His Wedding to Alizee Thevenet Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  63. ↑ Beard, Lanford. "James Middleton Is Married — and His Dog Photobombed the Newlyweds!". People. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  64. ↑ Cope, R. (20 September 2021). "Something borrowed: Alizee Thevenet wore mother-in-law Carole Middleton's wedding dress". Tatler. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  65. ↑ Henni, Janine (26 October 2023). "Kate Middleton's Brother James and His Wife Alizee Thevenet Welcome First Baby". People. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  66. ↑ Petit, Stephanie (27 October 2023). "James Middleton Reveals Baby Boy's Unique Name — Which Is Famous from The Princess Bride!". People. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  67. ↑ "The arms of Miss Catherine Middleton". College of Arms. 1 May 2011. Archived from the original on 10 July 2018. Retrieved 9 July 2018.


Further reading

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