The Lake District holds a special place in James Middleton’s heart.
It is where he spent many happy days as a child with big sisters Pippa and Kate, and where, while struggling with depression in his early thirties, he found respite on long walks with his beloved dog, Ella.
And so it seemed the perfect place to begin a new chapter in life – by proposing to his girlfriend Alizée Thevenet during a weekend away in September 2019.
A lifelong lover of the outdoors, Middleton, 37, carried an antique engagement ring concealed in a dog poo bag over the hills for two days, along with a bottle of bubbly.
‘My bag is ready and stowed in the car; the ring and a bottle of champagne are secreted in my rucksack. I’ve hidden the ring in a dog poo bag just in case Alizée goes rummaging around in there,’ he wrote in his memoir, Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life, released in September.
However, his carefully thought-out plan was almost scuppered by bad weather. With heavy rain forecast for the whole weekend, French financial analyst Ms Thevenet was no longer sure about taking the trip. Instead of setting off on the Friday evening, she convinced Middleton to go the next morning.
James Middleton’s Instagram post announcing his engagement to Alizée Thevenet in 2019
Mr Middleton and his beloved dog, Ella, pictured together in the countryside
They were on the road early, with Ms Thevenet sleeping in the back of the car while her soon-to-be fiance drove with ‘the windscreen wipers on full speed as the rain lashed down,’ Middleton wrote in his Sunday Times Bestseller book.
And though the weekend was indeed plagued by poor weather, the pair managed to enjoy long walks together.
By Sunday, Middleton still had not proposed and was desperately trying to find the perfect romantic moment.
As they were about to begin the journey home, he suggested going for a swim in the river. The couple jumped into the water – and were greeted by glorious sunshine.
Mr Middleton described how he seized the moment and asked, ‘Will you do me the greatest honour of marrying me?’
Of course, Miss Thevenet said ‘yes’ and the two celebrated with tea and cheese before heading home – the champagne was left untouched, as Middleton was driving.
His carefully thought-out Lake District proposal was almost scuppered by bad weather
Kate Middleton’s younger brother hid the engagement ring in a dog poo bag (Stock Image)
The youngest of Carole and Michael Middleton’s three children, he had asked Ms Thevenet’s father for her hand in marriage weeks before.
He recalls in Meet Ella how her parents had stayed with them for a weekend and he managed to find a moment alone with Jean Gabriel, who gave his blessing.
Middleton announced their engagement by posting a selfie with Ms Thevenet on Instagram captioned: ‘She said OUI. Our secret is out but we couldn’t be happier to share the news.’
They were forced to postpone the nuptials twice during the Covid-19 pandemic but eventually tied the knot in the idyllic French village of Bormes-les-Mimosas in Provence.
The groom wore a cream suit with blue shirt while Ms Thevenet chose an off-the-shoulder gown featuring pretty lace detailing.
The groom wore a cream suit with blue shirt while Ms Thevenet chose an off-the-shoulder gown featuring pretty lace detailing
Pictured with four of his dogs – Luna, Inka, Ella and Mabel – in 2020
After a ceremony in the picturesque town hall, the newlyweds celebrated their marriage with 50 of their closest friends and family at Chateau Leoube, an exclusive vineyard in the village that produces some of France’s finest rose wine.
The Prince and Princess of Wales attended with their three children, George, Charlotte and Louis. But it was the Middleton’s dogs that were the real guests of honour – with golden retriever Mabel even photobombing the wedding pictures.
Middleton signing copies of his book, Meet Ella, during Chelsea Dog Day 2024
After the event Middleton wrote on Instagram: ‘Yesterday I married the love of my life surrounded by family, friends and of course a few dogs.’
A source in the village told MailOnline at the time: ‘The wedding party was held at a Chateau Leoube. It is one of the most exclusive vineyards in the area.
‘Chateau Leoube makes exceptionally good wine, particularly the rose, which is known throughout France and overseas.
‘So it was only natural that the guests were served with Chateau Leoube wine, which they drank when they toasted James and Alizée. Many bottles of wine were drunk. Everyone had a good time.’
