James Middleton reveals cheeky way Prince William tried to get out of games nights with Carole and Mike Middleton

James Middleton has revealed that Prince William used to make ‘excuses’ to get out of games night as he found the family to be ‘too competitive’.

Kate’s brother, 37, who lives in Berkshire, was around 13 when his sister and the Prince of Wales first started dating.

The future king often came over for dinner, but it seems no family gathering was complete for the Middletons without a game of cards.

James said his brood is a big fan of racing demon, which is often described as a competitive form of Solitaire or Solitaire. However, whenever the pack of cards hit the table, William often found himself wanting to run other errands.

James made the revelation on the Walking The Dog podcast with author and animal lover Emily Dean.

James Middleton has revealed that Prince William used to make ‘excuses’ to get out of games night as he found the family to be ‘too competitive’. The Middletons were photographed with William and Kate in 2016

She said: “The Middletons are quite competitive and love a game, don’t they?

“And then you made poor William play, and he found him too competitive and actually used to make excuses.”

James replied: “It was after family dinner, we’d sit there and the cards would come out, and maybe I’d see if Ella needed a walk or an excuse to get off the table.

‘Racing demon is probably the fastest and most competitive we all play together.

James further detailed William’s discomfort at Middleton family gatherings in his book, Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life.

He wrote: “She gives (William) a good excuse to escape the fiercely competitive nature of the Middleton family, which comes up every time we play our favorite fast-paced card game, Racing Demon.

“William shudders at our ruthless determination to win at all costs. He’s delighted to be the first out, and when he’s no longer forced to participate, he runs off to hug Ella.

“I think she’d rather abstain from the game entirely. “James, does she need a ride?” he asks before even starting to deal the cards.

Royal fans saw the family playing cards during Kate’s emotional video, where she announced the end of her chemotherapy.

James further detailed William’s discomfort at Middleton family gatherings in his book, Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life. William was pictured at Ascot with Carole in June

It’s no secret that ambitious blood runs through Middleton’s veins, as Pippa and Kate enjoyed beating their opponents at school sporting events (pictured in 2012 at the Wimbledon final)

“My sisters and I exchange a knowing look: William, for all the competitive rigor of his military training, is content to be a loser at cards.”

And it seems the clan have enjoyed the game for generations, with the father-of-one saying his paternal grandmother was “whacking” them with it, even in her eighties.

James said: “She was able to get to the table and lay down her cards and while we were still trying to sort our cards, she would have almost finished her deck.”

It’s no secret that ambitious blood runs through Middleton’s veins, as Pippa and Kate enjoyed beating their opponents at school sporting events.

Both were part of the hockey team as teenagers, although the Princess of Wales captained the team during her years at Marlborough College in Wiltshire.

And sporting prowess meant she was also a star tennis player, a keen netball player and used to beat the boys in the high jump.

Royal fans saw the family playing cards during Kate’s emotional video, where she announced the end of her chemotherapy after a tough year battling cancer.

In one scene, Carole and Michael are seen playing cards with Kate, William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

James, pictured, resides in Berkshire with his wife Alizée, one-year-old son Inigo and their six dogs.

In the heartwarming video, Kate’s mum can be seen smiling alongside her grandchildren as they all hop on the table, passing on their family pastime to the next generation.

Earlier this week, James revealed how his son is adored by his sisters Kate and Pippa’s children.

The 37-year-old, who lives in Berkshire with his wife Alizée, one-year-old son Iñigo and their six dogs, wrote about his typical weekend in his My Saturday column in The Telegraph.

James, who lives near his older siblings, said he usually drops by his parents’ house for tea around 4pm.

The brother of the Princess of Wales explained how Íñigo’s six cousins ​​look after their little one whenever they are together at family events.

Kate and William share Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, while Pippa has Arthur, five, Grace, three, and Rose, one, with her husband James Matthews.

“My sisters and I are a 30-minute drive away, so often an aunt or cousin stops by,” she told the network.

“All the cousins ​​play their part in looking after Íñigo, there are seven in total at the moment.

The Middletons have had a tough nine months, after Kate was rushed to hospital for an operation in January and revealed she had cancer in March. William and Kate were photographed with their children

James and Alizee married in the Côte d’Azur village of Bormes-les-Mimosas in September 2021 and welcomed Inigo last year.

“I think they’re all in awe of how big a mess Íñigo can make. But there’s a lot of laughs and giggles.

James said that throughout his battle with depression, which he has talked about openly for the past two years, he “recognized the importance of family.”

“I think any challenge a family goes through is what brings them together,” he added.

The Middletons have had a tough nine months, after Kate was rushed to hospital for an operation in January and revealed she had cancer in March.

But the future queen revealed last month that she had “finished her chemotherapy treatment” and is doing everything she can to “stay cancer free”.

Elsewhere in his column, James said he starts his morning with eggs for breakfast with the radio, as Inigo enjoys listening to Bob Marley.

She said Alizée is teaching her son to speak French, and she mainly speaks to her son in the language so he can pick it up.

James admitted he has to learn “a lot of the words pretty quickly” to catch up.

Pippa Middleton pictured with husband James Matthews (left) and brother James Middleton (right) in 2018

Alizée’s French culture also means that they have an entire shelf at home dedicated just to cheeses, and they always tuck into a cheese board before dessert.

James and Alizee married in the Côte d’Azur village of Bormes-les-Mimosas in September 2021 and welcomed Inigo last year.

James also revealed that he and Alizée spent their nights re-watching Outnumbered, which he has found even more fun since becoming a father to Inigo.

Speaking about having another child, she said: “We’d like to expand the family, but it’s never easy.”

James also recently revealed that Inigo was wearing hand-me-downs that were given to him by Kate from her and William’s children.

Brands Kate loves for her children include Boden, Ralph Lauren and UK-based label Amaia, meaning Inigo will be dressed in fashion from a very young age.

In an interview with HELLO! In the magazine, James said that his sister Pippa has also given him a few helping hands.

“They’re milestones, because (my sisters) remember when their son wore something and how old he was — it brings them back,” she said. “It’s been a lovely thing for them.

“He’s lucky to have older cousins ​​who can now pick him up and teach him things, and as he grows, they’ll be able to look after him. There’s definitely an element of curiosity (about) a baby they have.”

And speaking of her two sisters, she added: ‘It’s been wonderful to see them become mothers and be so dedicated and strong. I’m in awe of that.’