James Middleton reveals father's cutting quip about £32k-a-year school

James Middleton has revealed how his father told him his £32,000-a-year education was a 'waste of money' after he was forced to retake his chemistry A-Level four times.

The Princess of Wales' younger brother, 37, has opened up about the challenges he faced in school in his new memoir Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life, which is published on 26 September. 

The father-of-one, who lives in Berkshire, was a boarder at Marlborough College in Wiltshire - where his older sisters Catherine and Pippa excelled in their studies.

In an interview with The Times, James explained how his mother Carole always encouraged him to invite school friends to their home in Bucklebury on weekends - but he was more concerned with being reunited with the family dog Tilly.

James - who has been diagnosed with dyslexia and Attention Deficit Disorder as an adult - recalled: 'I was an outcast.. alienated from my classmates. But dogs never judged me.' 

When he was 18 years old, James had to take a gap year to retake his Chemistry A-Level four times - which he says was a 'humiliating record' for Marlborough College.

At this point, James recalls how his father Michael told him that his private education had been a 'waste of money'. However, James insisted: 'Mum and Dad just wanted the best for me'.

The three Middleton children's education was reportedly funded by a £1.3m trust fund set up by the Princess of Wales great-grandmother Olive following the death of her three brothers. 

After his final resit, James got into Edinburgh University and picked geography, criminology and environmental studies modules - but failed his first-year exams.  

As a teenager, James had been desperate to have a dog of his own and jumped at the opportunity to adopt a black cocker spaniel puppy - who he named Ella - during his time at Edinburgh.

Having dropped out of university, James was told he would receive no more financial support from his parents but could move in with his sisters at the family's flat in Chelsea. 

Detailing how Ella supported him during this challenging time, James explained: 'She was my shield. Through her I could enjoy things.'

The Prince and Princess of Wales had already been dating for three years when James moved to London - and James admitted he found the public interest in his sister's life 'shocking'. 

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Describing how William was a 'fantastic support' for the family, James admitted: 'At that time, I was already in a vulnerable state of mind and it was an added pressure.' 

In 2017, James was in the midst of a mental health crisis - and in November, he came close to taking a fatal leap off the roof of his London home.

He writes in his memoir: 'As I pace, I look down through the skylight and see my spaniel Ella’s gentle eyes looking back up at me. 

'Like me, she has been wakeful all night. She senses my strange, agitated state of mind [...]

'What would Ella do without me? She depends on me and I on her. The feeling is entirely reciprocal [...] In that instant I know I will not jump. What would happen to Ella if I died? How long would she wait alone in the flat for someone to find her?'

The following month, James took Ella and her two puppies to a cottage in the Lake District - where he enjoyed walking them in the wilderness, sourcing firewood and wild swimming. 

Describing how his dogs have got him through some of his greatest hours of need, James added: 'I think we can learn from dogs. They’re not thinking about yesterday or tomorrow. 

'They’re not even thinking about the next couple of hours. They’re thinking about right now. I’m here, they’re here, in the moment.'

What's more, James shared his love of dogs with the late Queen - who reportedly owned more than 30 corgis in her lifetime. 

During his first visit to Sandringham, James recalled how the Queen came up to him and said: 'Did you get my message? Ella is welcome to stay in your room.'

In March 2021, James detailed in an interview with The Telegraph how Ella - who had disapproved of previous girlfriends - 'made a beeline' for his future wife Alizée at a private members club in South Kensington in 2018.

After approaching his future wife to apologise, James said: 'Alizée thought I was the waiter and ordered her drink while continuing to stroke Ella, who at this point was on her back lapping up the attention.'

In May 2020, James set up a raw dog food company called Ella & Co named after his beloved dog. 

Last January, James announced that Ella had sadly passed away at the age of 15 and said in a touching Instagram post how his beloved dog had supported him 'from my darkest days to my happiest'.

He wrote: 'Ella had a very short illness, she slipped away in my arms at home and is now buried in the garden alongside Tilly. I took this picture just a few hours before she died

'I'm just about holding it together to write this, and despite the fact I knew this day was coming, it doesn’t make it any easier.

'Goodnight my darling Ella, Alizee and the dogs will take good care of me.'

If you have been affected by the issues in this story, you can call Samaritans for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.