James Middleton reveals how Kate and William accidentally met his future wife

James Middleton has revealed a charmingly unexpected story about how he introduced his future wife, Alizee Thevenet, to his sister, Kate Middleton, and Prince William. 

In his new memoir, Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life, James recounts a serendipitous encounter that unfolded after a spontaneous decision to stay at his parents' home in Bucklebury, Berkshire.

Middleton describes how he and Alizee arrived late at night, unaware that William, Kate, and their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—were also staying there. 

He was startled awake by the sound of giggles from George and Charlotte at his bedroom door. 

He writes in an excerpt published by the Daily Mail on September 16, "she is still sound asleep, so I gently shush the children and we go downstairs where Catherine and William are drinking their early morning tea in the kitchen."

The moment of humor and surprise came when she appeared at the kitchen door, just out of bed, with her hair tousled and wearing one of James’s shirts. 

"In situations like this, Alizee is wonderfully French," James writes. "She does not panic or rush upstairs to get dressed. 

Instead, she just greets everyone warmly as if it’s completely normal to meet her boyfriend’s sister and brother-in-law for the first time wearing an oversized man’s shirt."

With a charming nonchalance, Thevenet simply said, "Hello," extended her hand, and soon the room was filled with lively conversation and the children’s cheeky questions.