The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, and her family marked a special occasion recently with a quiet celebration for her sister-in-law, Alizée Thevenet, who turned 36 on November 30, 2023. Alizée, a financial analyst married to Kate’s younger brother, James Middleton, is known for her close ties to the Middleton family. While James has not publicly shared details of the birthday festivities, it is expected that the day was filled with family time, including moments with their two-year-old son, Inigo, and their beloved dogs.
Alizée Thevenet’s journey into the Middleton family began in the summer of 2018 when she met James at the South Kensington Club. Their meeting was serendipitous, prompted by James’s black cocker spaniel, Ella, who wandered over to Alizée. This encounter blossomed into a relationship, with the couple making their romance public on Instagram in May 2020.
The couple took a significant step in August 2021 when they purchased a house together. James shared the challenging experience on social media, stating, “I think buying a house is up there with one of the most stressful experiences in my life.” Shortly after settling into their new home, the couple exchanged vows on September 11, 2021, during a low-key ceremony in Bormes-les-Mimosas, France. Notably, Princess Kate, her husband Prince William, and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, attended the wedding, creating a family atmosphere that James described in his memoir, *Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life*.
Following their wedding, Alizée and James announced they were expecting their first child in July 2023. James expressed his excitement on Instagram, saying, “We couldn’t be more excited.” Their son, Inigo, was born two months later in September 2023. James shared his emotional experience of becoming a father, stating, “No matter how prepared I thought I was…I was not prepared for the overwhelming emotion of meeting Inigo for the first time.”
Alizée’s integration into the Middleton family has been seamless, particularly her bond with Princess Kate. In his memoir, James recounted how Alizée immediately connected with Kate and the children during their first meeting. He described a morning at his parents’ home in Bucklebury, Berkshire, where Alizée, still in James’s oversized shirt, greeted the children without hesitation. James noted, “In situations like this, Alizée is wonderfully French… she just greets everyone warmly.”
Their relationship has since flourished, adding warmth to family gatherings. Alizée’s easy-going nature and genuine rapport with the Wales family have solidified her role in the Middleton circle. With her birthday celebration now behind them, the family continues to embrace the joys of their growing connections, both familial and personal.
