The Middleton family typically wrapped up group dinners with the fast-paced card game Racing Demon. It was, according to James, perhaps a little too demonic for William. The young royal would find convenient excuses to opt out of the competition.

In his tell-all memoir, which detailed how his dog Ella saved his life when he was experiencing severe depression and suicidal ideation, James also credited Prince William and Princess Kate for better understanding his mental health struggles as a result of their volunteer and advocacy work.