James Middleton makes heartbreaking mental health admission

The Princess of Wales' brother James Middleton has spoken out about his James Middleton, explaining the challenges he faced accessing treatment.

James, 37, made the comments during a recent appearance on BBC's Radio 4. He said it was knowing he had a privileged upbringing "didn't allow me to progress" because he "didn't think I had the right to be depressed".

"I was locked in my own battle between being called a fraud if I said that I had depression," he explained, adding that he "had stigma against myself."

READ MORE: Swedish princess dies aged 87

"And it took a long time for that to really transpire for me," he said, adding therapy helped him unravel this and other things in his life.

"And it did go back to my early childhood with struggling with dyslexia."

He said being told to write with his right hand when he was clearly left handed didn't help "and various other aspects along those lines."

READ MORE: Raygun has you've never seen her before on high-profile red carpet

"But my family were unbelievably supportive," he said. "I think there were challenges seeing me on my decline and withdraw from participating in family events or even just communication on the simplest levels," he continued.

James said something he learned along the way and one of the reasons he wanted to speak out about mental health is "that it's really challenging for the people actually who are the closest to somebody, seeing somebody suffering."

"My family knew I was suffering but actually they couldn't help at that specific time, and it was only when I understood where I was and the therapist that the family gets involved that they did get involved," he said.

He said he appreciated this way of "managing it" because he "couldn't imagine sitting around the family table and then suddenly saying during dinner 'Oh, I feel suicidal'. That would not be the right environment to be able to have a conversation," he added.

James was flooded with praise following the conversation.

"Such bravery and courage .. and really helping others through his openness. What a lovely person," one social media follower wrote.

"Such courage to let go of the shame and speak," another said.

"This is the mark of a truly strong soul and especially significant to speak out as a man. Hopefully more men will feel supported to say when they hurt," another added.

James Middleton first spoke out about his battle with mental ill health in 2018. In September 2024 he released a memoir chronicling his lifetime battle and the important role his dog Ella and subsequent beloved pets played in his recovery. The book is called Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life.

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.

In the book he spoked about being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder also helped in his recovery.

View gallery

All the defining photos of the British royal family in 2024

"A bit of me wonders if the undiagnosed ADD was a trigger for my clinical depression," he wrote. "In everything from relationships to work I have felt like a square peg in a round hole. That's why I spiralled into negativity, why I approached everything with a profound sense of my own inadequacies."

His therapist gave him the book The Gift of Adult ADD: How to Transform your Challenges and Build on Your Strengths by Lara Honos-Webb which helped him understand himself further.

READ MORE: All the celebrity cameos during Taylor Swift's Eras tour

James also wrote about how his sisters Kate and Pippa helped him in his recovery, saying they understood "straight away.

"They come to a session with me, and the fact that they are here, wanting to help me, makes me burst into tears."

"Catherine has already done a lot of work through her mental health initiative Heads Together, and she asks Dr Pereira some pertinent questions," he writes.

"She understands so much. I'm overwhelmed. I feel such gratitude and admiration for her, for her knowledge and compassion."

James wed partner Alizee Thevenet in 2021. The couple welcomed son Inigo in September 2023.

If you or someone you know is in need of support for mental ill health contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Men's Helpline on 1300 78 99 78. In the event of an emergency dial Triple Zero (000).