Inside the Posh Estate Where Princess Catherine’s Brother Recovers from 'Cancer of the Mind'

• James Middleton has opened up about his mental health issues.
• The brother of the Princess of Wales has found a place of retreat the Glen Affric Estate where he also works as a host.
• Here is a look inside the opulent and scenic Victorian lodge.

In the stunning area of the Scottish Highlands, Glen Affric Estate stands as a bastion of luxury and tranquility. Interestingly, the luxurious Victorian lodge is part of the Middleton lineage.

The lodge has also become a place that has played a significant role in the personal and professional life of James Middleton, brother of the Princess of Wales.

The Middleton's connection to this picturesque estate is through familial ties; it is owned by the Matthews family, relatives by marriage following his sister Pippa Middleton's wedding to James Matthews. The property is listed under the hotels group of Oetker Collection among other prestigious properties.

The Glen Affric Estate is not only decorated with wedding pictures of James and Pippa, but the Mathews asked James Middleton, brother of Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, to join the team and help them with welcoming guests and take on the role of a host and he agreed.

In fact he loves spending time at the lodge. “I love it here so much I don’t even see it as work,” he said. Since the Mathews bought the property in 2008 it has undergone significant refurbishments to transform it into a welcoming family home and a luxury holiday destination.

Middleton has been on holiday at the lodge with his family several times. The beautifully scenic estate was a place he frequented after surviving and opening up about his depression.

Middleton has never been shy to open up about the struggles of his mental issues. In a candid interview, he expressed, “I know I’m richly blessed and live a privileged life. But it did not make me immune to depression." He described the condition not as mere sadness but "It is an illness, a cancer of the mind."

He continued to emphasize the debilitating nature of depression, “It’s not a feeling but an absence of feelings. You exist without purpose or direction,” he described. Despite these challenges, James has found a therapeutic refuge in Glen Affric.

The estate, nestled near Loch Ness, features a Victorian lodge and a stable cottage that can accommodate up to 20 guests amidst a 10,000-acre expanse offering activities from hill stalking to kayaking.

Aside from capturing the beauty of the mountains and the body of water that surrounds the lodge, Middleton also enjoys the estate with his partner Alizee Thevenet, and their many dogs.

But with Middleton as a host, guests might find him recommending the best trails for a morning walk, sharing meals, or simply offering company by the fire where they can sample fine whiskies or engage in heartfelt conversations.

The estate itself is a marvel of luxury and historical significance. The drawing room walls feature works by Sir Edwin Landseer, including sports scenes and views reflective of Scottish culture.

The expansive grounds offer numerous opportunities for relaxation and adventure, whether it's lounging in the spa, trekking the numerous trails, or enjoying a quiet moment by the West Dock fire pit.

For those able to indulge in its offerings, Glen Affric is available for nearly £10,000 per night. This steep price reflects its exclusive nature and royal connection, offering a sanctuary where guests can find peace and engage in enriching experiences in one of Scotland’s most breathtaking settings.

While Middleton has opened up about his mental health issues, his sister, the Princess of Wales also came forward about her health struggles. In fact cancer diagnosis has reportedly posed a few financial setbacks for the Middleton family.

As previously reported on April 8, 2024, On March 22, 2024, Catherine Middleton, the Princess of Wales, disclosed in a video that she had begun undergoing cancer treatment. The diagnosis surfaced during post-operative assessments following her abdominal surgery in January 2024.

While Catherine undergoes cancer treatment, her family contends with significant debts they allegedly cannot settle. Carole and Michael Middleton, who are also parents to Pippa and James Middleton, face challenges covering over $329,000 in insolvency firm expenses for their struggling enterprise, The Party Pieces Company.

The company tasked with managing the insolvency of Carole's business has recognized that the couple is unable to cover the full fees. The Party Pieces Company, established by the Middletons in 1987, entered administration in June 2024, leaving creditors with a debt of $3.28 million.

Party Pieces' woes didn't start now as in 2021, the company reportedly suffered a significant loss of over $316,000 due to the impact of the pandemic. Still, during the lockdowns, Carole and Michael received a taxpayer-backed loan from NatWest to support their company, which faced challenges due to restrictions on family gatherings.

The business proceeded to initiate a retail partnership in the US. An enthusiastic Carole had expressed that it was truly thrilling to witness the Party Pieces Collection's expansion, beginning with Saker ShopRites, a prominent retailer in New Jersey. The family-owned business had a rich tradition of dedication to its customers and the communities it served.

Shortly thereafter, the outlook for the company became ambiguous when two of its three financial supporters, lingerie magnate Steven Bentwood and former head of Oxford United Football Club, Darryl Eales, relinquished their roles as directors. According to documents NatWest is also owed a balance of $278,146 due to the loan it gave Party Pieces during the lockdown.

Moreover, the COVID-19 loan acquired by Carole and Michael resulted in the taxpayer bearing a loss following the business's demise. As per the provisions of the government's COVID-19 business interruption loan scheme, the taxpayer is accountable for 80 percent of any outstanding balance owed to NatWest.

Before Party Pieces collapsed, the business enlisted consultancy Interpath to explore options, including a potential sale or seeking new investors. Unfortunately, the business eventually entered administration, accumulating over $3.16 million in debt.

Furthermore, this scenario led to Interpath's team being incapable of recouping the entire fees for the services provided by its restructuring professionals, who were being paid $716 per hour. The company also incurred costs of $327,548.

According to a source, Carole was visibly distressed and profoundly disheartened by the situation at that time. The source mentioned that throughout the previous five months, she diligently endeavored to locate a purchaser who would not only advance the business but also fulfill any remaining financial debts.

The insider emphasized that Carole embraced accountability and acknowledged her own naivety in relinquishing control of the business she had nurtured for decades. Witnessing the company being sold off left her profoundly saddened.

The source revealed that in truth, Carole had distanced herself from the business over three years ago, entrusting the everyday operations to a new management team. Unfortunately, as the business took a downturn, she realized the situation too late.

In June of 2023, a report submitted to Companies House stated that due to the company's cash flow difficulties and failure to find extra funding, redeeming the company was not feasible. Party Pieces has now been sold through a pre-pack administration deal to entrepreneur James Sinclair for $227,523.

Before marrying Prince William, Catherine worked as a project manager for Party Pieces. She concluded her tenure with the company prior to her wedding with the prince in 2011. At the time, a royal aide revealed that she had given her roles to colleagues and was getting ready for her future life.

Now, as the family grapples with their business challenges, Carole, who stood steadfastly by Catherine's side during her cancer battle, is resolute in her determination to shield her daughter from concerns about their financial troubles.

According to a source, Carole is really trying to keep Catherine only focused on her recovery. It's a hard time for the family but they are not begging for help from their children and don't want them worried.

The source added that Catherine and her parents maintain a close bond, frequently checking in with each other. Still, talks about the business were absolutely off-limits, as Catherine needed to prioritize her health and well-being.

Royal commentator Afua Hagan also highlighted Carole's efforts to shield her daughter from stress during her chemotherapy. She emphasized that despite the devastating impact of Party Pieces' collapse on the family, Carole's priority is undoubtedly her daughter's well-being.

Author Christopher Andersen, renowned for his books on the royals, emphasized that no one in the royal family was embarrassed by Party Pieces' failure. He cautioned against assuming the Middletons were financially destitute, noting their substantial personal assets despite the business collapse.

Regarding Party Pieces, Christopher explained that the business thrived until the pandemic struck, causing devastating effects. The market for their products plummeted, leaving the company in dire straits.

Christopher asserted that both Carole and her brother, Gary Goldsmith, a participant on "Celebrity Big Brother," had amassed significant wealth. Carole's party supply business prospered for many years until, like numerous other businesses, it was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

So, Christopher pointed out that for nearly two years, nobody gave children’s parties, and the lingering effects proved devastating. The entire market for what Party Pieces was selling went straight off the end of a cliff.

Christopher also suggested that amidst the royal family's ongoing challenges, concerns about the Middletons' financial setbacks were unlikely to be a priority. With the king's cancer battle and Catherine's diagnosis, their focus is understandably elsewhere. He underscored Carole's dedication to supporting her daughter during this challenging time, highlighting their strong bond.

Christopher stressed the importance of recognizing that Carole was dedicated to supporting her daughter through what was an extremely challenging diagnosis. Princess Catherine had consistently relied heavily on her mother for emotional support and motivation, particularly at that moment.