Kate Middleton surprised her brother James with an unusual birthday gift: 'My actual nightmare'

In 2011, James Middleton received an unusual gift from his family for his 24th birthday.

In 2011, James Middleton received an unusual gift from his family for his 24th birthday: a “large buzzing box” of bees.

In an essay he penned for the Daily Mail about his love for bees, James explained that it was this gift that helped him turn his beekeeping dreams into a reality.

“I’d always harboured a longing to keep bees, but it wasn’t until I turned 24 in 2011 that the wish became reality,” he wrote. “Then, my family — mum, dad and my sisters Catherine and Pippa — clubbed together to buy what for me was the most fantastic birthday gift imaginable.”

When James opened his buzzing box, he learned that there were 1,000 Buckfast bees inside, the beginning of his colony.

Nearly a decade has passed since that fateful gift, and today James has almost half a million bees at the Middleton family home in Berkshire.

“I love spending time with my bees, checking, monitoring, treating them and collecting their honey: it is soothing toil; a balm for troubled minds,” James wrote. He uses beekeeping — which he considers “an active form of meditation” — to cope with his clinical depression, which he was diagnosed with in 2016.

James isn’t the only famous person who has taken up apiculture as a hobby. Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and David Beckham are just some of the many A-listers who dabble in the eco-friendly activity.

Though James admits that there are economic barriers to entry when it comes to beekeeping — a new hive can cost as much as £500 ($630) — he adds there are “kit versions and cheaper [hives] on internet auction sites” for people whose siblings aren’t literal royalty.

Alternatively, you could always wait for your birthday and hope that your family gifts you a small 1,000-bee starter kit — but until then, you’ll just have to wait and see what all the buzz is about.

If you enjoyed this story, check out this couple who travels the world recreating iconic movie scenes.

More from In The Know:

Buckingham Palace shared its scone recipe — so get ready to eat like a Royal

Get the look: Kate Middleton just wore the sparkliest heels

Shop our favorite beauty products from In The Know Beauty on TikTok

Subscribe to our daily newsletter to stay In The Know

The post Kate Middleton once helped buy 1,000 bees for her brother James’ birthday appeared first on In The Know.