James Middleton received an outpouring of support on Tuesday after his emotional appearance on BBC Radio 4.
In the interview, which aired on Saturday, James shared the painful reality of his mental health struggles, revealing how, during his darkest moments of suicidal thoughts, his family, despite being aware of his suffering, were initially unable to help.
In a clip posted on Instagram, James told hosts Nikki Bedi and Jon Kay, “My family knew I was struggling, but they couldn’t help at that particular time. It was only when I began to understand my situation, and the therapist recommended family involvement, that they were able to step in.”
He continued, “It was a great way of managing it. I couldn’t imagine sitting around the dinner table and suddenly saying, ‘Oh, I feel suicidal.’ That wouldn’t be the right environment to have such a conversation.” Despite the challenges, James expressed gratitude for his family’s unwavering support, adding, “But my family were unbelievably supportive.”
Supporters flooded the comments section with messages of admiration. One fan wrote, “Such bravery and courage … and truly helping others through his openness. What a lovely person.” Another shared, “Thank you, Mr. Middleton. Less stigma, more conversation, and understanding.” A third person wrote, “Heartfelt honest words… so brave, takes strength to speak up… We appreciate you, James.”
James has previously praised his sisters, the Princess of Wales and Pippa Middleton, for their vital support throughout his mental health journey. In a September interview, James revealed how his sisters played an essential role, even attending several therapy sessions with him.
Reflecting on those sessions, he explained, “It gave me the chance to answer questions I wasn’t able to answer myself, or that I was too emotional or lacked the confidence to address. It was like having a translator.”
James also acknowledged the initial difficulty his parents faced, as they struggled with feelings of guilt, questioning where they had gone wrong. He shared, “It was important to have someone else in the room to explain: ‘This isn’t your fault. It’s a result of many factors, some stemming from childhood.’”
He added, “Once I began to understand things better, and my sisters did too, it helped us communicate with my parents. Now, it’s something we can discuss openly, even at the dinner table. It has helped us as a family, not just me as an individual, but as a unit, to be more open.”
