James Middleton, the brother of the Princess of Wales, has celebrated his 39th birthday by posting a series of intimate photographs on Instagram, marking his return to social media after a hiatus. The images, shared on Thursday, captured heartfelt moments with his wife, Alizée Thévenet, and their dogs during a hiking trip in the Lake District.
Royal Fashion Connection Spotted by Observant Fans
In one of the photos, James is seen planting a kiss on Alizée's cheek, but it was her outerwear that caught the attention of royal style enthusiasts. Alizée, a 36-year-old French financial analyst, wore a brown gilet from Hide Park that bears a remarkable resemblance to a jacket Kate Middleton wore two decades ago.
Historical Parallel with Kate Middleton's Style
Kate Middleton was photographed in the same Hide Park garment in March 2006, when she attended the Field Game at Eton College to support her then-boyfriend, Prince William. At the time, she paired it with dark-wash skinny jeans, a black sweater, and brown leather boots. In contrast, Alizée styled the gilet with a vibrant yellow sweater and light-wash jeans, showcasing a modern twist on the classic piece.
It remains unclear whether Alizée shares her sister-in-law's taste in fashion or if she borrowed the jacket from Kate, who frequently wore it prior to her royal wedding in 2011. Instagram user Middleton Maven highlighted that Pippa Middleton has also been seen in the same jacket, leading some fans to speculate it might be a family staple left at a country home for shared use over the years.
James Middleton's Birthday Reflections and Social Media Comeback
James captioned his birthday post with a reflective message, writing, 'Today’s my birthday and every year feels like a bigger climb, but reaching the top and seeing how far you’ve come never gets old. Entering the final year of my 30s and more excited than ever...' The carousel of photos included shots of James in a white striped shirt, shorts, and hiking boots, posing with his dogs—two cocker spaniels and golden retrievers named Mabel and Isla.
This post follows his recent return to Instagram after a break during Lent, where he explained his absence and encouraged others to take time off social media to reduce pressure. He shared, 'Sometimes we don’t fully realise the pressure social media puts on us until we take a step back.'
Family Moments and Royal Support
The birthday celebration also featured glimpses of family life, including photos of James and Alizée's son, Inigo, who was born on September 21, 2023. In a previous interview with Hello!, James revealed that Kate Middleton and his other sister, Pippa Matthews, are always available for parenting advice. He said, 'They're definitely at the end of the phone if we need a bit of advice,' adding that their support boosts his confidence as a parent.
James also mentioned that Inigo wears hand-me-down clothes from Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, noting the 'abundance of paraphernalia' available from his sisters' families. Pippa and her husband, James Matthews, have three children: Arthur Michael William, Grace Elizabeth Jane, and Rose Louise Victoria.
Additional photos from the birthday collection showed Inigo enjoying outdoor activities, such as roaming among flowers and playing with the dogs, while a video captured him keeping up with his mother on a bicycle during a countryside stroll. Carole Middleton, James's mother, was pictured reading 'The Tale of Benjamin Bunny' to Inigo on a sunny day, highlighting the close-knit family dynamics.
