James Middleton brings special – but unexpected – date to awards night

James Middleton has taken a rather unusual – but very adorable – companion to an awards night in London.

The 32-year-old is the brother of the Duchess of Cambridge and Pippa Matthews.

Rather than bringing his girlfriend of more than a year, Alizee Thevenet, Middleton invited another special female in his life.

Black cocker spaniel Ella was Middleton's "date" for the GQ Awards and they were pictured together posing on the red carpet.

"I think I should win the award for the best date for the GQ men of the year awards," Middleton wrote on Instagram, along with a photo.

In fact, there was a special significant behind Ella's red carpet appearance.

She is a trained pet therapy dog and works for Pets as Therapy UK, of which Middleton is an ambassador.

Middleton has been open about his battles with mental health for some time, and credits his five dogs for helping in his recovery.

During his school years Middleton had dyslexia and was later diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder.

In June, Middleton spoke about being "judged" by the public soon after his sister, Kate, married into the British royal family.

The sudden shift from anonymity to stardom had a negative effect on his mental health.

"Suddenly, and very publicly, I was being judged about whether I was a success of a failure," Middleton told the August issue of Tatler.

"That does put pressure on you. Because in my mind I'm doing this irrespective of my family and events that have happened."

While in March, Middleton described living with depression, writing on Instagram "I've been in that angst of loneliness, where you're really alone in the universe".

"Luckily for me I had my dogs."

He's is due to launch a new business soon, centred around his beloved dogs, after stepping down from his previous venture, Boomf.