James Middleton has broken his silence in a twist no one saw coming, revealing shockingly candid details about life as the brother of Catherine, Princess of Wales.

James, who is known for keeping a low-profile life away from the royal spotlight, has almost never mentioned his world-famous sister or the pressures that come with being part of such a high-powered family.

But he has recently revealed the unvarnished truth about his demons, fraught familial relationships and the impossibility of ever escaping a royal shadow.

The duo additionally expressed their pride in James Middleton, who has tended to keep his personal and professional lives — as well as advocacy work surrounding mental health — separate from the spotlight.

shocked everyone with his brutally honest account of what life has been like since his sister, Kate, became a global figure. “It’s not always easy,” James admitted. “There’s a lot of attention on all of us, even though we’re not directly involved with royal duties. It can be overwhelming at times.”