Prince William, known for his calm demeanor, reportedly has a unique strategy for navigating the famously competitive Middleton family game nights—opting to walk the dog rather than endure the intensity of their card games.
The revelation comes from James Middleton, the younger brother of Princess Kate, who detailed this quirk in his memoir Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life.
According to James, William often volunteers to take Ella, James’ beloved dog, for a walk instead of joining in on the family’s favorite high-stakes card game, Racing Demon.
“William would flinch at our ruthless determination to win at all costs,” James wrote. “He’d be delighted to be the first out, and when no longer compelled to take part, he’d slink off to cuddle Ella. Better still, he’d absent himself from the game entirely.”
Christopher Andersen, a noted royal biographer, explained the Prince’s reluctance. “The Middletons are fiercely competitive when it comes to their games, and William tends to make excuses to avoid getting pulled into the fray,” Andersen said. “That said, he has no problem going toe-to-toe with Kate when the stakes are less intense.”
James Middleton added that the future king often initiated dog walks as a graceful exit strategy. “‘James, does Ella need a walk?’ he’d ask before we even started dealing the cards. My sisters and I would exchange knowing glances—this was William’s way out,” James recalled.
The Prince’s fondness for dogs is well-documented. As a child, he formed a deep bond with his black Labrador, Widgeon. The dog’s passing left such a void that William resisted owning another until Kate convinced him to adopt their beloved Lupo in 2011.
William’s connection to dogs runs in the family. Both Queen Elizabeth II and Diana, Princess of Wales, were passionate about animals, with the Queen famously keeping a pack of corgis throughout her life. In 2020, after Lupo’s death, the Wales family welcomed a new cocker spaniel, Orla, bred by James Middleton himself.
The fluffy companion has become a fixture in the Wales household, often spotted accompanying the family during public outings.
Beyond dog walks and game nights, James Middleton offered an intimate glimpse into royal family dynamics. He recounted attending a birthday celebration for Kate at Sandringham, the Queen’s private estate in Norfolk. Despite having met the late monarch several times, James admitted feeling anxious about being in her presence.
This anecdote highlights the balance William strikes between his royal duties and his more down-to-earth moments with the Middleton family.
While the Prince of Wales prepares for his eventual role as king, these lighthearted escapes to Bucklebury, with its card games and dog walks, offer a rare moment of normalcy in an otherwise extraordinary life.
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