James Middleton, the brother of Duchess Kate, considers his royal nieces and nephews fortunate for growing up with a dog as part of their family. In a recent interview with OK! magazine, James shared his delight that the children of Prince William and Duchess Kate, namely Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, are growing up in a home enriched by the companionship of a pet.

James holds a particular connection with the royal canines as two dogs that have been part of the Cambridge family, Lupo and Orla, were from litters birthed by his dogs, Ella and Luna respectively.

Expressing his thoughts on the royal children's experience with their pets, James stated, "I feel gratified knowing they're experiencing the love and affection of a dog in their lives. I regard them as fortunate for having such a companion."

Recalling his childhood, James mentioned that he didn't have the privilege of growing up with a dog until his teenage years. Despite his constant pleas and letter-writing campaigns to persuade his parents, it was only later that the Middleton family welcomed their first dog, a golden retriever named Tilly.

Speaking fondly of his bond with Tilly, James revealed, "Tilly was my sanctuary, especially during my early teens. She was privy to all my secrets – my crushes, and all those little complexities that come with adolescence that I didn't share with anyone else."

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge introduced their pet, Orla, to their family in the unfortunate wake of their first dog Lupo's passing in November 2020.

Previously in 2020, James had announced that his dog Luna had given birth to six puppies. He had mentioned that these puppies were destined for loving homes, with one of these homes turning out to be the Cambridge's household.

Orla, a Celtic name translating to "golden princess," has often made appearances in Princess Charlotte's birthday photographs. The canine companion was featured in the official portraits of the Princess' 7th and 8th birthdays.

The passing of Lupo, a key member of the Cambridge family for nine years, was announced on social media by Prince William and Duchess Kate on November 28, 2020.

As they mourned the loss of their family pet, James Middleton also paid tribute to Lupo with a heartfelt social media post. In his message, he acknowledged the profound impact of a pet's loss and stated, "One cannot be truly prepared for the demise of a dog. For those who haven't had a dog, it might seem hard to comprehend this loss. However, for those who have known the love of a dog, they understand that a dog is not just a pet, but a family member, a best friend, a faithful companion, an educator, and a therapist."