James Middleton has revealed that Prince William used to make “excuses” not to attend games night as he considered the family to be “too competitive”.
Kate’s brother, 37, who lives in Berkshire, was around 13 when his sister and the Prince of Wales started dating.
The future King often came over for dinner, but it seems no family gathering was complete for the Middletons without a game of cards.
James said his son is a big fan of the racing demon, which is often described as a competitive form of patience or solitaire. However, every time the deck of cards arrived on the table, William often felt like running other errands.
James made the revelation in the walk the dog podcast with author and animal lover, Emily Dean.
James Middleton has revealed that Prince William used to make “excuses” not to attend games night as he considered the family to be “too competitive”. The Middletons photographed with William and Kate in 2016
She said: ‘The Middletons are quite competitive and love the game, don’t they?
“And then you made poor William play, and he found it too competitive and actually used to make excuses.”
James replied: ‘It was after a family dinner, we would sit there and the cards would come out, and (he) would maybe see if Ella needed a walk or make an excuse to get off the table.
‘Ra“Cing Demon is probably the most competitive and fast-paced game we all play together.”
James further explained William’s discomfort at Middleton family gatherings in his book Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life.
He wrote: ‘She gives (William) a good excuse to escape the fiercely competitive nature of the Middleton family, which emerges every time we play our favorite fast-paced card game, Racing Demon.
‘William shudders at our ruthless determination to win at all costs. He is delighted to be the first out, and when he is no longer forced to participate, he sneaks away to hug Ella.
“I think he’d rather be absent from the game completely. “James, does she need a ride?” he asks before we’ve even started dealing the cards.
Royal fans got a glimpse of the family playing cards during Kate’s emotional video, where she announced the end of her chemotherapy.
James further explained William’s discomfort at Middleton family gatherings in his book Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life. William pictured at Ascot with Carole in June
It’s no secret that ambitious blood runs through Middleton’s veins, as Pippa and Kate enjoyed defeating their opponents at school sporting events (pictured in 2012 in the Wimbledon final).
“My sisters and I exchange a knowing look: William, for all the competitive rigor of his military training, is happy to be a loser at cards.”
And it seems the clan has enjoyed the game for generations, as the father of one said his paternal grandmother would “beat” them into it, even when she was in her eighties.
James said: “She was able to walk across the table and put down her cards and while we were still trying to sort them, she would have almost finished her deck.”
It’s no secret that Middleton runs ambitious blood, as Pippa and Kate enjoyed defeating their opponents at school sporting events.
They were both on the hockey team as teenagers, although the Princess of Wales captained the team during her years at Marlborough College in Wiltshire.
And her sporting skills meant she was also a star tennis player, a great netball player and used to beat the boys in the high jump.
Royal fans got a glimpse of the family playing cards during Kate’s emotional video, where she announced the end of her chemotherapy after a difficult year battling cancer.
In one scene, Carole and Michael are seen playing cards with Kate, William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
James, pictured, resides in Berkshire with his wife Alizée, their one-year-old son Inigo and their six dogs.
In the touching video, Kate’s mother is seen smiling alongside her grandchildren as they all jumped at the table, passing on their family pastime to the next generation.
Earlier this week, James revealed how his sisters Kate and Pippa’s children adore his son.
The 37-year-old, who lives in Berkshire with his wife Alizée, their one-year-old son Inigo and their six dogs, wrote about his typical weekend in the My Saturday column in The Telegraph.
James, who lives near his older brothers, said he usually stops by his parents’ house for tea around 4pm.
The Princess of Wales’s brother gushed about how Iñigo’s six cousins take care of their little one when they are together at family events.
Kate and William share Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, while Pippa has Arthur, five, Grace, three, and Rose, one, with her husband James Matthews.
“My sisters and I are a 30-minute drive away, so an aunt or cousin often stops by,” she told the outlet.
‘All the cousins play their part in caring for Íñigo; At this moment there are seven of us in total.
The Middletons have had a difficult nine months, after Kate was taken to hospital for an operation in January and revealed she had cancer in March. William and Kate pictured with their children
James and Alizee married in the Côte d’Azur village of Bormes-les-Mimosas in September 2021 and welcomed Iñigo last year.
‘I think everyone is shocked by the mess Inigo can cause. But there is a lot of laughter and laughter.’
James said that during his battle with depression, which he has spoken openly about in recent years, he “recognized the importance of family.”
“I think any challenge a family faces is something that brings them together,” he added.
The Middletons have had a difficult nine months, after Kate was taken to hospital for an operation in January and revealed she had cancer in March.
But the future Queen revealed last month that she had “completed her chemotherapy treatment” and is doing everything she can to “stay cancer-free.”
Elsewhere in his column, James said he starts the morning eating eggs for breakfast with the radio on, while Inigo likes to listen to Bob Marley.
He said Alizée is currently teaching her son to speak French and predominantly speaks to her son in that language so he can learn it.
James admitted he has to learn “a lot of words quite quickly” to catch up.
Pippa Middleton is pictured with her husband, James Matthews (left) and brother, James Middleton (right) in 2018.
Alizée’s French culture also means that they have an entire shelf dedicated just to cheeses in their house and they always eat a cheese board before eating dessert.
James and Alizee married in the Côte d’Azur village of Bormes-les-Mimosas in September 2021 and welcomed Iñigo last year.
James also revealed that he and Alizée spent their afternoons re-watching Outnumbered, which he has found even more fun since becoming a father to Inigo.
Speaking about having another child, she said: “We would love to expand the family, but it’s never easy.”
James also recently revealed that Inigo has been wearing hand-me-downs that Kate gave to her and her children.
The brands Kate loves for her children include Boden, Ralph Lauren and British brand Amaia, meaning Iñigo will be dressing fashionably from a very young age.
In an interview with HELLO! MagazineJames said his sister Pippa also lent him some used things.
“They are milestones, because (my sisters) remember when their son was wearing something and how old he was; it takes them back,” she said. ‘It has been a wonderful thing for them.
“He’s lucky he has older cousins who can pick him up now and show him things and as he gets older they’ll be able to look after him.” “There’s definitely an element of curiosity (about) the baby they have.”
And speaking of her two sisters, she added: ‘It’s been wonderful to see them become mothers and be so dedicated and strong. I’m amazed by that.’