The younger brother of the Duchess of Cambridge, James Middleton, has continued to open up about his painful battle with depression and anxiety, after revealing that in the depths of his mental illness he isolated himself from his family.
Camera shy James – an entrepreneur from Berkshire – was left unprepared for the onslaught of media attention after his sister Kate Middleton began dating the future King of England, Prince William.
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Speaking with Tatler magazine, James described how the intense scrutiny had a profound effect on his mental wellbeing.
“Suddenly, and very publicly, I was being judged about whether I was a success or a failure.
“That does put pressure on you because in my mind I’m doing this irrespective of my family and events that have happened.”
William and Kate are passionate advocates for mental health, and James told the publication that it was with the erection of their charity – Heads Together – that spurred him to come forward with his own story.
However, despite having a famous name and a royal connection, the youngest of the Middleton siblings remains closed off from the public eye.
“I lead a separate life to them,” he tells Tatler, “If there’s an interest in me, great. If there’s an interest in me because of them, that’s different.”
In an eye-opening op-ed for the Daily Mail back in January this year, James revealed his heartbreaking battle with depression and anxiety for the first time.
“During the day I’d drag myself up and go to work, then just stare with glazed eyes at my computer screen, willing the hours to tick by so I could drive home again,” James wrote.
“Debilitating inertia gripped me. I couldn’t respond to the simplest message so I didn’t open my emails.”
James continued: “I couldn’t communicate, even with those I loved best: my family and close friends.”
James is currently dating French financial expert Alizee Thevenet, and according to his secret Instagram page, the pair are believed to reside in Scotland.
