Prince William is said to have one “cheeky way” of getting out of game night with the Princess of Wales and the rest of the Middleton family.
Speaking on The Dog podcast, James Middleton revealed that his brother-in-law used to find game nights with his family “too competitive” and would often make up “excuses” to get away.
Princess Kate’s only brother, who was around the age of 13 when William began dating his older sister, has recalled how William would often join them for game nights but would ask if James’ dog Ella “needed a walk” to get down from the table.
Discussing the “competitive” game nights, Emily Dean – an author and animal lover – asked James about the tradition.
She said: “The Middletons are quite competitive and they love a game, don’t they? And then you made poor William play, and he found it too competitive and actually used to make excuses.”
James replied: “It was after family dinner, we would be sat there and the cards would come out, and [he would] perhaps see if Ella needed a walk or make an excuse to get down from the table.
“Racing demon is probably the most fast-paced, competitive one that we all play together.”
He also revealed that William was often very awkward at the family get-togethers, adding: “Ella gives [William] a good excuse to escape the fiercely competitive nature of the Middleton family, which emerges every time we play our favourite fast-paced card game, racing demon.
“William flinches at our ruthless determination to win at all costs. He’s delighted to be the first out, and when no longer compelled to take part, he slinks off to cuddle Ella.
“I think he’d prefer to absent himself from the game entirely. “James, does Ella need a walk?” he asks before we’ve even started dealing the cards.
‘My sisters and I exchange a knowing glance: William, for all the competitive rigour of his military training, is happy to be a loser at cards.”
The competitive and ambitious streak appears to runs through the Middleton veins, with both Pippa and Kate having enjoyed beating their opponents at school sporting events.
The sisters were both on the hockey team as teenagers, although Princess Kate was team captain during her years at Marlborough College in Wiltshire. Kate was also a star tennis player and a keen netball player.
