James Middleton may be turning 38 today, but memories of his 35th birthday - the last one spent with his beloved dog Ella - are surely close to his heart.
In April 2022, his wife Alizée had organised a getaway to Thurlestone in Devon, where they stayed with James' longtime friend Nick, his wife and children, at their holiday home.
Having been friends since they were 11, it felt only natural for James to celebrate such a meaningful occasion in their company.
But upon arrival, James and Alizée were surprised to find the table set for a dozen guests, hinting at a larger celebration than expected.
'Suddenly they all jump out from behind sofas and shout, "Surprise!"' James recalled in his book, Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life.
As he sat among friends, James took a quiet moment to reflect on how much life had changed over the years, yet how 'some pleasures remain constant'.
He later shared how there was something deeply 'comforting' about the familiar nostalgia of that visit.
'The delight at walking the coastal path is as fresh today as it was 20 years ago.
James Middleton may be turning 38 today, but memories of his 35th birthday - the last one spent with his beloved dog Ella - are surely close to his heart
'The pleasure of eating an ice cream at Hope Cove is undimmed.
'Now, though, I stride out with Alizée next to me and a godchild strapped into a harness on my back, while Ella, trotting by my side, shares the final lick of my ice cream cone.'
What remains especially vivid in James' memory are the peaceful moments with Ella, particularly how she loved their coastal walks - moments he now holds dear.
He writes: 'We catch the tide at the right moment and swim in the sea together.
'She [Ella] scampers beside me, digs holes in the sand and lies in them.
'Then, at the end of a long day, her coat fluffy with salt spray, she falls into a contented sleep.'
It's clear that Ella had a profound influence on James' life, especially during his battle with clinical depression.
James has openly said that he credits Ella with saving his life.
James credits Ella for introducing him to his now-wife Alizee (pictured) and supporting him as he battled clinical depression
What remains especially vivid in his memory are the peaceful moments with Ella, particularly how she delighted in their coastal walks - moments he now holds dear
A young James pictured with his beaming mother Carole Middleton
James with his dogs Luna, Inka, Ella and Mabe in 2020
In 2021, James adopted a lamb called Captain who is partially blind and was rejected by his mother
In an emotional post announcing Ella's death in January 2023, the father-of-one admitted he would 'miss her terribly'
When releasing the book, James expressed his hope that readers would enjoy it 'as much as I have enjoyed writing it', revealing that jotting down all of his and Ella's adventures was his way of processing the grief after her passing
'I was heartbroken and we went on such a journey together form her first breath to her very last breath,' he previously shared.
The pair were inseparable for 15 years and their deep bond inspired James to tell their story in a book.
Upon its release, he expressed his hope that readers would enjoy it 'as much as I have enjoyed writing it', revealing that jotting down all of his and Ella's adventures was his way of processing the grief after her passing.
In an emotional post announcing her death in January 2023, the father-of-one admitted he would 'miss her terribly'.
He explained that Ella had a brief illness and peacefully passed away in his arms at home.
The cocker spaniel is now buried in the garden alongside his first family dog, Tilly.
'I'm just about holding it together to write this, and even though I knew this day was coming, it doesn't make it any easier,' he penned.
'Goodnight my darling Ella. Alizée and the dogs will take good care of me.'
