It’s a genuine love story, says delighted dad of Kate brother’s French fiancee
After James Middleton tells how new love has helped him f ight depression...
THE father of James Middleton’s French fiancee has revealed his joy at the couple’s engagement, saying: ‘It’s a genuine love story.’
But Jean-Gabriel Thevenet has issued his future son-in-law with some friendly advice: he needs to brush up on his French.
It was announced last week that Alizee Thevenet had accepted the marriage proposal from the Duchess of Cambridge’s younger brother. James, 32, has described how Alizee had helped to transform his life following crippling depression.
Now her father, a retired diplomat, has described his delight at the pair’s decision to tie the knot and hopes they will celebrate with a party in France. ‘It’s a genuine love story,’ he told The Mail on Sunday. ‘ I’m absolutely delighted for them. James is a true gentleman and they make an adorable couple.’
Mr Thevenet, who runs a gite with his wife Laurence in the village of Condat-sur-Ganaveix near Limoges in central France, added: ‘I’m sure they will be so happy together. James has been out to visit us here several times and will make such a lovely husband – although he does need to work on his French a bit.’
Mr Thevenet, whose career took him to postings in countries including Chile and Indonesia, said he has met James’s parents, Carole and Michael, and described them as ‘ just as charming as their son’. However, he is yet to meet Kate and Prince William.
‘James and Alizee have not set a date yet for the wedding but I would love to have some kind of party here in the village,’ he said. ‘I know Alizee is quite stressed about all the attention she is getting. We just want them to be happy.’
Just 18 months ago, James’s family – including Kate – were accompanying him to therapy sessions to deal with his depression.
Asked if he would have found happiness with Alizee, 29, without seeking help, he told The Telegraph magazine: ‘To have fallen in love with her, and for her now to be my fiancee? Probably not…
‘The way I was a couple of years ago was about as far the other end of the scale as it could be.’ The couple, who live a quiet life in SouthWest London, met at the private South Kensington Club last July when James’s cocker spaniel, Ella, bounded over to Alizee. Their relationship was confirmed in January when they were spotted kissing during a holiday in the Caribbean.
Alizee, a keen skier who speaks four languages and has a masters degree in investment and finance from Queen Mary University of London, attended the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor at St George’s Chapel in Windsor in May. By contrast, her father spends much of his time renovating the charming converted watermill – Le Moulin du Chassaing – he runs as a B&B after buying it a decade ago.
‘I wouldn’t go so far as to say we’re part of the Royal Family or anything like that ,’ said Mr Thevenet. ‘My wife and I are just delighted for the pair of them. We’re over the moon.’
Friends say James’s four dogs – who he also credits with helping him to deal with depression – will play a key role at the wedding. ‘They are the first on the guest list,’ said a source.
James proposed to Alizee in the Lake District last month. In an Instagram post last week that confirmed the news, the bride-to-be wore a blue sapphire engagement ring. Despite moving to the UK six years ago, friends say Alizee, who works in finance, is ‘about as French as you get’. One said: ‘ She only drinks red wine and loves cheese.’