Le smooch! Kate’s brother with his new French belle
HE was considered one of the most eligible bachelors in Britain. But that is all in the past after James Middleton had a chance meeting with a stunning French City worker – brokered by his dog.
It appears that the Duchess of Cambridge’s 31-year-old brother is well and truly off the market having struck up a new romance.
He was spotted kissing Alizee Thevenet, 29, during his New Year’s family getaway to the Caribbean island of St Barts this week.
A friend revealed yesterday that Miss Thevenet had no idea who Mr Middleton was when she struck up a conversation with him at a London club last year after saying hello to his cocker spaniel, Ella.
‘They met in the South Kensington Club. Alizee was having a drink with friends and James was on a different table,’ the friend told the Daily Mail. ‘She said hello to his dog Ella and they started chatting.
‘After Alizee went back to her table, James asked the waiter to give her a note saying, “I never normally do this, but would you like to go for a drink with me”. He also picked up their tab. A few weeks later, they went out for a drink together.’
The friend added: ‘It wasn’t until after they’d met for a drink that Alizee realised who he was – one of her friends had to tell her. They met thanks to Ella.’
Miss Thevenet is a keen skier who speaks four languages thanks to her time spent in countries including Chile, Indonesia and Belgium while growing up.
She lives in Chelsea after moving to the UK six years ago and has a Master’s degree in investment and finance from Queen Mary University, London.
Her Linkedin profile lists her strengths as ‘team spirit, good communication skills, high work ethic and dedication to success’ and notes her ‘multinational background’.
It adds: ‘I am a result-driven individual with good planning and organizational skills with attention to details. I have a demonstrated ability to find solutions to problems using my creativity and reasoning. I am always open to new ideas.’
Her father, Jean-Gabriel Thevenet, runs a rural bed-and-breakfast called Le Moulin de Chassaing near Limoges in central France.
Mr Middleton confirmed his split from his on-off girlfriend, TV presenter Donna Air, at the beginning of last year after a five-year romance.
He and his new love saw in the New Year with his mother Carole Middleton, sister Pippa, her husband James Matthews and their baby son Arthur, and Pippa’s brother-in-law Spencer Matthews and his wife Vogue Williams.
‘She didn’t know who he was’