The moment Queen Camilla greets James Middleton with a friendly kiss

The pair were seen smiling and chatting after they kissed each other on the cheek at the Clarence House reception in aid of Medical Detection Dogs

rincess Kate is often in attendance at important royal engagements with her mother-in-law, Queen Camilla, but on Tuesday, it was her brother James Middleton’s turn to rub shoulders with King Charles’ wife. The pair were seen sharing a friendly kiss on the cheek as they greeted each other at a Clarence House reception in aid of Medical Detection Dogs.

Camilla looked springtime chic in a red floral shirt dress, meanwhile, James scrubbed up well in a suit and tie. After their brief embrace to kiss on the cheeks, they shared smiles as they chatted with fellow guests.

Queen Camilla, Patron of Medical Detection Dogs (MDD) shares kiss with James Middleton during a reception to celebrate the charity at Clarence House on May 12, 2026© Getty Images
Queen Camilla, Patron of Medical Detection Dogs (MDD) shares kiss with James Middleton during a reception to celebrate the charity at Clarence House on May 12, 2026

As Patron of Medical Detection Dogs (MDD), Queen Camilla hosted a reception at her home, Clarence House, on Tuesday, to celebrate the charity. MDD trains life-saving Medical Alert Assistance Dogs and Bio Detection Dogs, both of which can be trained to detect smells caused by medical conditions. In fact, these “dogs can detect multiple cancers in breath samples with over 90 per cent accuracy” a study co-authored by the charity found. Princess Kate’s brother James was in attendance due to his role as an official ambassador for the charity. He is well known for his love of dogs and his prominence in the sector, with his own dog food brand.

James’ love of dogs

James Middleton posing with his dogs for HELLO!© Tom Jamieson
James Middleton posing with his dogs for HELLO!

The younger brother of Princess Kate has many dogs of his own at his countryside pad. James has even written a memoir titled Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life, and he’s praised his late pooch for being his “teacher, therapist, and best friend” during depressive periods.

James will be making a public appearance this month at Goodwoof, the Duke of Richmond’s pet festival known as “Glastonbury for dogs”. The businessman has been attending Goodwoof since it began in 2022, when he took part in the opening parade alongside the Duke of Richmond and a pack of spaniels. This year, he will be taking his spaniels, Zulu, Inka, Luna and Nala, and his labradors, Mabel and Isla.

split image showing princess kate and james middleton© Getty Images
James and sister Kate both love animals

Speaking about the royal family and their love of canines, the 39-year-old previously told HELLO! that dogs bring a sense of “equality” to the royal household because they treat everyone the same, regardless of their status or titles.

Queen Camilla’s pet pooches

queen camilla holding pet dog moley © Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Camilla posed in the grounds of her Wiltshire home with her dog Moley

King Charles and his wife Camilla are also big fans of four-legged friends and they currently have two Jack Russells of their own, called Bluebell and Moley. They were both adopted from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, and the Queen has admitted the latter has that name simply because he looks “just like a mole”.