James Middleton recently shared on social media the story of a stranger experiencing what James called his “worst nightmare.”
On Aug. 24, the younger brother of Kate Middleton told his followers about the plight of Ramón Alberto Piriz, who was traveling from Argentina to Morocco with his dog, Sombra, on an Air France flight. Due to cabin restrictions, Sombra was required to travel in the plane’s cargo hold — and during a stopover in Paris, Piriz was informed that Sombra had been lost by the airline.
After the incident, a friend of Piriz launched a petition, which caught James’ eye. James, a longtime dog aficionado whose upcoming memoir Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life pays tribute in its title to his beloved late dog of the same name, then made a plea to help Piriz, encouraging his followers to sign the petition.
“This is so sad,” James, 37, wrote on his Instagram Story. “As someone who travels regularly, this is my worst nightmare.”
James Middleton and some of his dogs in London.
Kirsty O’Connor/PA Images via Getty Images
James then tagged Air France and added, “It’s International Dog Day on Monday,” referencing the holiday that falls on Aug. 26.
Though James has had many canine members of his family since, it was Ella, who died in January 2023, who was responsible for James meeting his now-wife Alizee. The couple, who married in 2021, are now parents to son Inigo, born last year.
Per Hello!, James recounted the day he met Alizee, recalling that “Ella was lying at my feet under the table,” he said. “Realizing she might want some water, I trusted her to take herself over to the water bowl across the terrace. However, she made a beeline for Alizee. Rather embarrassed, I went over to apologize and bring Ella back. But Alizee thought I was the waiter and ordered her drink while continuing to stroke Ella, who at this point was on her back lapping up the attention.”
He added, “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 [then-] fiancée.”
James has also been open about his struggles with depression and, after his clinical diagnosis in May 2020, has credited his dogs with providing emotional support ever since, as previously reported.
“You can tell a dog your darkest thoughts and trust them because they won’t tell anyone else,” he said. “To put your emotions into words to your dog is a release.”
