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Princess Kate's brother, James Middleton, is going through a devastating heartbreak, as he revealed on social media that his dog, Zulu, has passed away.
James turned to his Instagram account on Friday, October 9, sharing a carousel of pictures, including one of the burial site, with his son, who recently turned three.
In the heart-wrenching post, the 39-year-old expressed his grief, penning, "My darling Zulu has passed away. I've written a lot about losing dogs. About the grief, the emptiness, how difficult it is to say goodbye."
How old was Zulu?
James revealed that Zulu, a black cocker spaniel, would have turned 16 this month, adding, "A wonderful age, and I know I couldn't have asked for more. But that's the funny thing about loving a dog. They are with us for only a handful of summers and Christmases, yet somehow become so deeply woven into our lives that it's impossible to imagine them not being there."
The Princess of Wales' brother shared that the dog was laid to rest beside his mother, Ella, a beloved pet James lost in 2023.
Concluding the heartbreaking tribute, James said, "Sleep well, my darling Zulu. I'm going to miss you terribly."
About James Middleton's dog Ella
James lost Zulu three years after burying Ella, a black cocker spaniel who he shared helped him during a period of depression.
He has named his dog food company after Ella and has penned a book called, Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved my Life.
Other descendants of Ella include Inka, Nala and Luna.
James also has Mabel and Isla, golden retrievers and descendants of Tilly, the Middleton family's first dog.
Zulu's surprising link to the Royal Family
James breeds dogs and has gifted several pets to his sister.
Lupo, the Wales family's late cocker spaniel, was Zulu's brother, who passed away in 2020.
Prince William and Princess Kate announced that Lupo had died in November 2020, writing on social media, "Very sadly last weekend our dear dog, Lupo, passed away. He has been at the heart of our family for the past nine years and we will miss him so much. - W & C."
James gave another dog, Orla, to the Waleses the same year, and she later gave birth to puppies that played a starring role in Prince William's 2025 birthday photo.
William and Kate kept one of the puppies, a brown cocker spaniel named Otto, who turned one in May 2026.
