Princess Kate's brother, James Middleton, has revealed the one prerequisite Prince William had to meet before marrying his sister. The youngest Middleton sibling has given a new interview sharing rare glimpses of his family life ahead of his 38th birthday next week, Tuesday, April 15.

In the interview to Hello! magazine, Mr Middleton was asked whether it was "a prerequisite for Prince William to like dogs before he could join the Middleton family". The outlet claimed that the 37-year-old smiled and said: "He had a long love of dogs. He had a very strong relationship with a black lab called Wigeon growing up, so he knew the powers of what dogs can do."

Elsewhere in the interview, Mr Middleton revealed that he felt he had "three mothers" growing up and noted the big role his sisters, Princess Kate and Pippa Middleton, played.

Asked about whether he was "indulged" in the family for being the youngest and a boy, Princess Kate's brother said that there were "pros and cons" of being the youngest.

He explained: "The pros are that you get away with quite a lot… I jokingly say that I had three mothers growing up. I had my mother and my two sisters, who were mothering figures to me. I was very fortunate."

He continued: "We had a fantastic childhood, and they included me in everything they did, and still do. I'm now in my late 30s and we still have that friendship."

He added that he gave Kate and Pipa dogs from litters bred from his beloved dog Ella, who's now passed away.

Kate first had Lupo, who died aged nine and now Orla, while Pippa has Rafa.

Mr Middleton said: "Wherever they go, they bring the dogs with them, so I see lots of them, which is lovely."