Most people know Kate Middleton as the Princess of Wales, but her younger brother James remains one of the royal family’s most mysterious figures. While Kate and sister Pippa often make headlines, James Middleton has quietly built a reputation for some truly bizarre interests and business ventures that would make anyone do a double-take. From printing Instagram photos on marshmallows to his obsession with vintage tractor magazines, this 37-year-old entrepreneur has carved out a path that’s anything but ordinary for a royal sibling.
He calls himself a “New Age Willy Wonka”
James Middleton doesn’t just run a regular business – he’s the mastermind behind Boomf, a company that takes your Instagram photos and prints them directly onto marshmallows. This isn’t some small side project either; it’s a full-scale operation that transforms social media memories into edible treats. The concept sounds like something straight out of a candy factory fever dream, which explains why James proudly describes himself using the famous chocolate factory owner comparison.
The marshmallow business isn’t his first venture into unusual entrepreneurship. Before Boomf took off, James launched the Cake Kit Company in 2007, selling DIY themed birthday cake kits through his parents’ party supply business. Unfortunately, that sweet empire dissolved in May 2015, but it shows James has always had a knack for turning everyday celebrations into something more creative. His business ventures prove that being related to royalty doesn’t mean following traditional career paths.
Vintage tractor magazines are his guilty pleasure
While most people might secretly binge reality TV shows or scroll through celebrity gossip, James Middleton has admitted to having a much more unusual guilty pleasure. He spends his free time reading vintage tractor magazines, treating them like others might treat fashion magazines or sports publications. This isn’t just casual browsing either – he’s genuinely passionate about learning about old agricultural machinery and restoration techniques.
His interest in vintage tractors goes beyond just reading about them too. James actually restores old tractors and Land Rovers as a hands-on hobby, getting his hands dirty with engines and mechanical parts. This combination of reading about restoration techniques and actually practicing them shows a level of dedication that most people reserve for major life pursuits. It’s certainly not what anyone would expect from someone whose sister is married to the future King of England.
He keeps bees as a serious hobby
Beekeeping isn’t exactly a common pastime for most people, but James Middleton has embraced it as one of his regular activities. This isn’t just a casual interest in having a few hives in the backyard – he’s genuinely committed to understanding bee behavior and honey production. The hobby requires significant knowledge about bee colonies, seasonal changes, and proper hive management, making it far more complex than most people realize.
What makes this particularly interesting is how beekeeping fits into his overall lifestyle of unusual hobbies. While his sister navigates royal protocols and public appearances, James is out checking on his beehives and learning about pollination patterns. The dedication required for successful beekeeping – including regular hive inspections and understanding bee diseases – shows he’s willing to commit serious time and energy to pursuits that most people would find intimidating or simply too much work.
He dropped out of university to start a cake business
James started studying Environmental Resources and Management at the University of Edinburgh, but decided to leave in 2006 before completing his degree. Rather than switching schools or changing majors, he made the bold decision to launch his entrepreneurial career immediately. This move came just one year after dropping out, when he founded the Cake Kit Company and began selling DIY themed birthday cake kits to customers across the UK.
The timing of this decision makes it even more remarkable, considering his family’s traditional approach to education and career development. While many university dropouts struggle to find their footing, James managed to create a business that integrated with his parents’ existing Party Pieces company. His cake decorating kits offered customers everything needed to create professional-looking themed cakes at home, showing his ability to identify market gaps and fill them creatively. Though the business eventually dissolved, it demonstrated his willingness to take risks that most people wouldn’t consider.
He breeds dogs and advocates for pet therapy
Dog breeding might sound like a normal hobby, but James takes it seriously enough to serve as an ambassador for Dogs Trust and Pets as Therapy organizations. His involvement goes well beyond just loving animals – he’s actively working to promote how pets can provide emotional and psychological support to people dealing with various challenges. This advocacy work stems from his own experiences with mental health, where his dog Ella played a crucial role in helping him through difficult periods.
The connection between his dog breeding and his sister’s family adds another interesting layer to this hobby. James actually provided Kate and Prince William with their beloved cocker spaniel Lupo, who came from one of Ella’s litters after their 2011 wedding. When Lupo passed away in November 2020, the couple later welcomed Orla, who was born from Lupo’s sister Luna. James believes that Orla has been providing important support to Kate during her recent cancer treatment, showing how his passion for dog training and breeding has directly benefited his sister’s family during challenging times.
He used to share a London flat with Pippa
Before Pippa Middleton became a household name through her sister’s royal wedding, she and James shared a London apartment as regular siblings navigating their twenties. This living arrangement continued even as Kate’s relationship with Prince William became more serious and public attention on the Middleton family intensified. Having a sibling roommate in London isn’t particularly unusual, but it becomes more interesting when considering how their family dynamics changed as Kate moved into royal circles.
The flat-sharing arrangement shows how the Middleton siblings maintained normal family relationships despite the extraordinary circumstances surrounding Kate’s relationship. While paparazzi began following their every move and public interest in the family grew exponentially, James and Pippa continued their regular brother-sister dynamic in their shared living space. This period of their lives represents the last time any of the Middleton siblings could live truly private lives, making their apartment essentials and daily routines subjects of intense media speculation they never asked for.
He wants to be the “cool uncle” to his royal nieces and nephew
James has openly stated his ambition to be “the cool uncle” and “the fun uncle” to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. This isn’t just casual family talk – he’s genuinely committed to creating special relationships with his sister’s children despite the unique challenges that come with their royal status. Having royal nieces and nephews means navigating security protocols, public scrutiny, and formal royal procedures that most uncles never have to consider.
His approach to being an uncle reflects his overall personality of finding unconventional ways to connect with people. Rather than trying to fit into traditional royal family dynamics, James seems determined to bring his quirky interests and entrepreneurial spirit into his relationships with the children. Whether that means showing them his beehives, teaching them about vintage tractors, or sharing his unusual marshmallow business, he’s committed to offering them experiences that go beyond their structured royal upbringing. His collection of children’s books and games probably includes some pretty unique choices that most royal children wouldn’t encounter elsewhere.
He publicly raises awareness about dyslexia
James began speaking publicly about his dyslexia in 2012, using his platform as a member of the Middleton family to raise awareness about learning differences. This decision to go public with something so personal shows remarkable courage, especially considering how every statement from royal family members gets scrutinized and analyzed. His openness about struggling with dyslexia throughout his education helps explain some of his unconventional career choices and why traditional academic paths didn’t work for him.
His advocacy work around dyslexia connects to his broader mission of supporting people who face challenges that others might not understand. Just as he promotes pet therapy for mental health support, his dyslexia awareness efforts help people recognize that learning differences don’t prevent success – they just require different approaches. His willingness to discuss how dyslexia affected his university experience and business development provides valuable insights for other people navigating similar challenges. Resources like dyslexia books and learning tools become more accessible when public figures openly discuss their experiences and recommendations.
He believes dogs help with cancer recovery
When Kate announced her cancer diagnosis and treatment, James provided a unique perspective on how the family dog Orla might be helping with her recovery process. Drawing from his own experiences with pet therapy and his work as an ambassador for related organizations, he explained how dogs can provide comfort and distraction during difficult medical treatments. His insights come from genuine expertise in animal-assisted therapy rather than just family wishful thinking.
James has written extensively about how his own dog Ella helped him through periods of depression, making him uniquely qualified to understand how pets can support family members facing health challenges. His upcoming book “Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life” details these experiences and provides scientific backing for the emotional support that pets can provide during recovery periods. He specifically mentioned that he’s certain Orla is “doing her job in supporting her family,” showing how his unusual combination of dog breeding expertise and mental health advocacy gives him special insight into his sister’s recovery process. Pet owners dealing with similar situations often find therapy dog supplies and training resources helpful for maximizing the emotional support their animals can provide.
James Middleton proves that being related to royalty doesn’t mean following conventional paths or hiding your quirky interests. His combination of unusual hobbies, unconventional business ventures, and genuine advocacy work creates a fascinating portrait of someone who has found ways to stay authentic while navigating life in the public eye. Whether he’s checking on his beehives, reading tractor magazines, or supporting his sister through challenging times, James continues to march to the beat of his own drum in the most refreshingly unexpected ways.
