Kate Middleton's Brother Says There Was 'Pressure' After His Sister Became A Royal

James Middleton is opening up about his struggles with depression and anxiety. The Duchess of Cambridge's brother, whose older sibling Kate Middleton began dating Prince William in 2003, said that he was unprepared for the level of scrutiny and attention that he received due to his sister's relationship.

"Suddenly, and very publicly, I was being judged about whether or not I was a success or a failure," Middleton, 32, divulged to Tatler magazine in their August issue. "That does put pressure on you. Because in my mind I’m doing this irrespective of my family and events that have happened."

Ultimately he revealed that his sister and brother-in-law's passion in regards to mental health helped prompt him to come forward and speak openly about his experiences, but he still remains pretty closed when discussing the family.

"I lead a separate life to them. If there's an interest in me, great. If there's an interest in me because of them, that's different," he stated.

In January, Middleton published a piece for The Daily Mail that discussed the private ongoing battle and what influenced him to seek treatment. He added that his parents, Carole and Mike Middleton, could tell that something was wrong, but he didn't want them to be around him. "I shut myself off, I didn't communicate with my family at all. But there's only so long you can hold your breath," he said.

In his op-ed, he said, "All colour and emotion had leached out of my world and everything was grey and monotone."

Eventually, he divulged that everything culminated one day in 2017 when he called his doctor from outside of his place of employment because he was unable to get out of his car. On the phone, his doctor had asked if he was okay, to which he said, "No, I'm not."

As expressed to Tatler, Middleton said, "Even the words acted like a valve: 'Even saying that was an easing of the pressure. I was saying I wasn't OK, when each day I'd wake up pretending I was.'"

Eventually, the businessman found a method of treatment that worked for him, including therapy and stepping back from his business. He also credits his dogs, Ella, Luna, Zulu, and Mabel, for part of his recovery.

"I feel happy - I feel like James Middleton again," he said, adding, "I feel like I was when I was 13, excited about life. I feel like myself again and I couldn't ask for more."