James Middleton SHOCKED William As FINALLY Revealed Over Her Sister’s Last Minute Decision

This week, a devastating health struggle impacting the Princess of Wales’ close-knit family has been laid bare in a harrowing new book from her younger brother, James Middleton. One moment he knew his sister was in love and felt reassured about her engagement to Prince William. In recent months, the couple’s relationship has become the center of public fascination, more so since Netflix’s popular royal series *The Crown* dramatized their love story, which began at St. Andrews University in Scotland in 2001.

While the engagement announcement, like any other significant royal engagement, was heavily managed by “The Firm,” the then-charity worker informed her family of her move days before the public in 2010. Amid swirling rumors, her brother James Middleton recalled the terrific buzz throughout the country. Before an official announcement was made, he said his sister sat him and their sister Pippa, 41, down in a quiet corner of a village pub in Bucklebury, Berks, in November of 2010 to whisper the news.

“We made a quiet acknowledgement that we’ll always be there for each other, look out for one another, and support each other. Pippa and I wanted to be visibly excited, but we had to tamp down our emotions so no one would expect a thing,” James shared. After the official announcement, James said he was walking around Battersea Park, Southwest London, when he realized it was true love. At the time, William had earned his approval, and James knew the royal was the right man for his older sister.

James also recalled a heartwarming, unexpected story about how his wife, Alizée Thevenet, first met his royal nieces and nephews: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. According to the Princess of Wales’ younger brother, the surprise encounter wasn’t planned at all. After attending a wedding near his parents’ home in Berkshire, James and Alizée decided on a whim to stay the night at his childhood home. They quietly settled in, unaware that the Wales family was also staying for the weekend.

The next morning, James was woken by the sound of giggling outside the bedroom door. “It’s George and Charlotte,” James said, recalling the moment his niece and nephew first met Alizée. Unbeknownst to him, all three royal children were in the house with his parents. Wanting to let Alizée sleep a little longer, James gently hushed the children and took them downstairs.

Downstairs, James found his sister and brother-in-law William already enjoying their early morning tea in the kitchen. At that time, his girlfriend had just gotten out of bed, her hair still tousled, and she was wearing one of his shirts. “In situations like these, Alizée is wonderfully French,” James shared. “She does not panic or rush upstairs to get dressed. Instead, she just greets everyone warmly, as if it’s not remotely unusual to be meeting her boyfriend’s sister and brother-in-law for the first time wearing only an oversized man’s shirt.”

The royal children then started to ask all kinds of cheeky questions at 100 miles per hour, like “How come you weren’t there when we went to bed?” and “Who is this lady? Is she your girlfriend?” shared James. “So I tell Charlotte and George, yes, she is my girlfriend, and I introduce her to them. Then we are all talking and laughing as if she’s been a part of the family for years.”

The Prince and Princess of Wales have captured hearts once again with their warm and affectionate displays in a newly released video by Kensington Palace. The touching footage, which came out Monday, also includes an important update from Catherine about her recent battle with cancer. Those close to the Wales family have pointed to several hopeful signs of Catherine’s progress amid her recovery, hinted at by the Prince of Wales.

Insiders said that William has been noticeably more relaxed recently and that his diary of engagements after the summer break is fuller. The future king was given cards and gifts for his wife while he also provided a new 12-word update about how she’s doing: “It’s good news, but there’s still a long way to go.”