Despite marrying into the Royal Family, the Middleton family has not been immune to financial difficulties. Earlier this summer, Carole and Michael Middleton were forced to sell their party supplies company, Party Pieces, after it accumulated debts of £2.6 million, leaving many small businesses unpaid.
James Middleton, the youngest sibling, is facing fresh challenges with his dog food company, Ella & Co. The business, launched last year after the collapse of his marshmallow firm Boomf, has seen its assets drop from £334,591 to just £92,510. Ella & Co was inspired by his spaniel Ella, who died earlier this year.
This is not the first business failure for James, who has started five ventures. His previous company, Boomf, collapsed with trading losses of nearly £2 million despite backing from investors including his brother-in-law James Matthews. James's earlier businesses, including the Cake Kit Company, were also struck off after financial struggles.
James remains optimistic, recently announcing a rebrand to James & Ella on Instagram. He said, 'I’ve spent a long time reflecting on how much [Ella] transformed my life. Through James & Ella, I’ll be carrying on the legacy of the most incredible dog I ever had the pleasure of caring for.'
Meanwhile, Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews, a billionaire investment banker, are expanding their business interests. They plan to add glamping cabins and a restaurant to Bucklebury Farm Park, a 77-acre site they purchased in 2021. The couple recently moved to a 30-room mansion in Berkshire.
