Kate move that always makes William ‘flinch’ revealed by her brother

“Ruthless”: The couple are usually on the same page – except when it comes to one thing, according to the princess’ brother.

James Middleton has opened up about seeing Prince William like an “older brother” after years of him dating his sister Kate.

However, the 27-year-old shared that although the Prince of Wales gets stuck into Middleton family life – there is one aspect that leaves him “flinching”, reports The Sun.

In an extract from his upcoming book, Meet Ella, which is to be published on September 26, James revealed how his dog Ella gave Prince William the chance to escape family games.

He wrote: “I know, too, that Ella gave him a good excuse to escape the fiercely competitive nature of the Middleton family, which emerged every time we played our favourite fast-paced card game, Racing Demon.

Their family’s ruthlessness during games prompts William to excuse himself, according to James. Picture: Jane Barlow/Pool/AFP

James and Pippa Middleton at the coronation last year. Picture: Andrew Milligan – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

“William would flinch at our ruthless determination to win at all costs. He’d be delighted to be the first out, and when no longer compelled to take part, he’d slink off to cuddle Ella.

“Better still, he’d absent himself from the game entirely. ‘James, does Ella need a walk?’ he’d ask before we’d even started dealing the cards.”

James admitted his sisters Kate and Pippa would exchange a “knowing glance” when William made his excuses.

He claimed – in an extract on the Mail – Prince William was happy to be a “loser at cards”, despite the “competitive rigour of his military training.”

Kate is known for being competitive. Picture: Suzanne Plunkett/Pool/AFP

Royal biographer Claudia Joseph said that Prince William and James – who is married to French finance worker Alizée Thevenet and dad to son Inigo – particularly bonded over their love of dogs.

She said: “As a child William had a black labrador called Widgeon and when he died, there was a hole in William’s heart.

“That hole was fixed when Ella had a puppy Lupo, who became an important member of the Cambridge family.”

William feels like an ‘older brother’

James also opened up about the moment he knew Prince William was right for his sister Kate – ahead of their royal wedding in 2011.

He wrote: “William has been in our lives for so long and we’ve grown very fond of him. He feels like our older brother and he and Catherine are so clearly a good fit, just right for each other.

“As we digest the news, I know I haven’t yet experienced the love they feel for each other myself. But I’m hoping one day I will.”

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.

Originally published as Kate move that always makes William ‘flinch’ revealed by her brother