Kate Middleton is well-known for her appreciation of nature, and her brother James Middleton recently shared how this passion strengthens their bond. James, a beekeeper in Berkshire, revealed in an interview with Country Life that his sister also has a love for bees, having a few hives of her own. He playfully noted, “I wouldn’t call it a competition, but we definitely exchange notes on our experiences.”
James has been into beekeeping since receiving his first hive as a birthday gift from their family 15 years ago. This hobby has evolved into more than just a passion; it’s a form of meditation, especially during tough mental health struggles. He explained, “When my mind is in chaos and negativity takes over, I can’t just open the hive. The bees can sense when you’re not fully there; they get agitated. They have these alert bees that come buzzing around you. It forces you to stay calm and collected while talking to them.”
He has been candid about his mental health challenges, sharing earlier this year with The Times that both of his sisters, Kate and Pippa, have stood by him as supportive allies, even accompanying him to therapy sessions.
Kate, known for her environmental advocacy, shared a while back that she also has her own apiary at Anmer Hall, the countryside residence she shares with Prince William. On a visit to the Natural History Museum in London, she brought along a jar of homemade honey to give to schoolchildren, encouraging them by saying, “Whenever you see a bee, make sure to thank them—they work hard to make that tasty honey.”
In honor of World Bee Day 2023, she celebrated by posting a picture of herself in her full beekeeper gear at their beehives in Norfolk, demonstrating her skills while carefully handling a rack dotted with bees. According to James, both him and Kate are still very much “teeming with bees” in their lives.
