The Duchess of Cambridge’s brother loves his dogs so much he has now set up a business dedicated to their welfare.
James Middleton, who looks after nine dogs, has founded Ella & Co, a happiness and wellbeing company for canines — and I can reveal that his first product is a new type of pet food.
Middleton has previously credited his furry friends with playing a ‘vital role’ in helping him get out of depression — and also helping him find love.
James Middleton, who looks after nine dogs, has founded Ella & Co, a happiness and wellbeing company for canines — and I can reveal that his first product is a new type of pet food
His spaniel, Ella, bounded over to Alizee Thevenet, a French financial expert who went on to become his fiancee.
Now to return the favour, James has spent a year developing yummy canine grub in consultation with vets and nutritionists.
‘The food category is ‘Freeze-Dried Raw’,’ he tells me.
His spaniel, Ella, bounded over to Alizee Thevenet, a French financial expert who went on to become his fiancee. Now to return the favour, James has spent a year developing yummy canine grub in consultation with vets and nutritionists
‘This means it’s raw food, as it hasn’t been cooked (which removes natural nutrients), but it doesn’t have to be kept in the freezer. It’s room temperature stable so it’s very convenient.
‘The best thing you can do for your dog is feed them the best possible diet,’ he adds.
‘Dry and canned food just lack natural nutrients and are highly processed. Raw feeding is fantastic, but it’s a hassle keeping it frozen and defrosting every day.
‘Freeze drying takes the best of both worlds; it has the benefit of being raw, but the convenience of a dry kibble you can just scoop and serve. All of my dogs love the food and helped in the development of the recipes.’
‘It’s available online at ella.co with a subscription, meaning we will keep you topped up with food without having to go to the shops.’
The ingredients include chicken (including heart and livers), cranberries, carrots and fish oil.
‘Dogs give us so much, and feeding them the healthiest diet is the best way to give back to them,’ adds Middleton.
‘So, for the price of a coffee, you can feed them human-grade ingredients with all the meat sourced from UK farms delivered to your door and no need for freezing, defrosting or excess packaging.’
Middleton is launching the business with a 25 pc off trial offer.
This is not the first business he has set up, of course. Middleton founded Boomf in 2013, which sells personalised marshmallows and greeting cards.
Former Labour Cabinet Minister Alan Johnson says lockdown is cementing his status as a man of letters. ‘It’s not much different for me — I’m writing,’ he says as he embarks on his first novel, a thriller.
‘By virtue of writing, you’re in isolation. . . not having to go up to London, not having to go to book festivals, which I very much enjoy. I can crack on with the book and hopefully meet my deadline.’
Dylan Thomas makes the grad
Pierce Brosnan won’t let a health crisis get in the way of his son’s education
Pierce Brosnan won’t let a health crisis get in the way of his son’s education.
Although college campuses in the U.S. are closed, the former James Bond star celebrated with 23-year-old Dylan Thomas — named in homage to the Welsh poet — as he graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, a private college in Los Angeles.
‘Congratulations Dylan on your graduation and academic achievements,’ Pierce, 67, captioned this picture online, in which the Burberry model sports academic regalia and — since the family is in Hawaii — a floral lei (garland).
‘Go forth into this new world and make it your own. Be fearless, courageous and generous.’
Me a Princess? I don’t fancy the job, says Lucy
Given the amount of time Lucy Worsley spends raiding the royal dressing-up box, one would think the dear girl has regal aspirations.
But the perky historian is adamant the monarchy is not an institution she is hankering to join.
‘If a handsome prince asked me to marry him I’d say: ‘No thanks, I don’t want that job’,’ declares the broadcaster, whose new show, Lucy Worsley’s Royal Photo Album, is available on BBC iPlayer for three weeks.
Indeed, she believes being royal is tough.
‘Stress and loneliness have affected most royals through the ages, and some have reacted worse than others,’ says Worsley, 46.
More like locks-down as Helen wields the shears
With no prospect of hairdressers opening any time soon, Countryfile presenter Helen Skelton took drastic action and cut the hair of her two young sons — with questionable results.
‘It’s been a complete disaster,’ admits Helen, 36, who lives in Yorkshire with her husband, Leeds Rhinos rugby league player Richie Myler.
‘My kids look like extras from Peaky Blinders.’
Things got even worse when she showed off the results to the boys’ grandmother: ‘My mum cried when I called her on FaceTime.’
Publication of Boris Johnson’s book Shakespeare, The Riddle Of Genius, has been pushed back several times, but money from his previous works continues to roll in.
The Prime Minister has just disclosed that he received a total of almost £10,000 last month from two publishers: more than £7,000 from Hodder & Stoughton, which published The Churchill Factor; and the rest from HarperCollins, whose titles include Seventy-Two Virgins and Life In The Fast Lane.
Actor Nicholas Hoult admits that he’s ‘stolen’ some of Hugh Grant’s mannerisms after working with him 18 years ago in the film About A Boy.
‘One of my first film experiences was working with Hugh,’ says Hoult, 30.
‘I don’t think I purposefully do it, but occasionally people say I’ve taken things that Hugh does and run with them a little bit.
‘I take it as a compliment when I’m told I’ve got his mannerisms.’
Vogue cover star Erin O’Connor is a model of ingenuity after revealing she has created her own catwalk in lockdown
Hitting the fancy dress rail, Erin?
Vogue cover star Erin O’Connor is a model of ingenuity after revealing she has created her own catwalk in lockdown.
The 42-year-old mother of two posted a video of herself strutting in the garden of her London home in a black dress, yellow hard hat and giant green glove from one of her son’s fancy dress costumes.
Launching her ‘home catwalk challenge’ to raise money for medical research charity, Borne, Erin is imploring her pals, including model Naomi Campbell and comedian David Walliams, to follow in her footsteps.
‘Get your best catwalk on,’ she says.
‘You can be as silly or as sophisticated as you like.’