James Middleton attended a royal reception for Medical Detection Dogs at Clarence House, the London home of King Charles and Queen Camilla

Queen Camilla, Patron of Medical Detection Dogs (MDD) speaks to James Middleton during a reception to celebrate the charity at Clarence House on May 12, 2026 in London, England. MDD trains life-saving Medical Alert Assistance Dogs and Bio Detection Dogs, both of which can be trained to detect even the tiniest trace of the smell caused by a medical condition.

James Middleton and Queen Camilla greet one another at a reception for Medical Detection Dogs (MDD) at Clarence House on May 12, 2026.Credit : Aaron Chown – WPA Pool/Getty

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Queen Camilla teamed up with Kate Middleton’s brother, James, for a dog-friendly event
The Queen warmly greeted James, a well-known dog lover, when he attended a reception for Medical Detection Dogs at Clarence House, the London home of Queen Camilla and King Charles
The dogs’ ability to screen early for certain cancers is being studied and replicated by AI to provide even more expanded care for patients, a cause close to the royals’ hearts, as both Kate and King Charles have recently received treatment for cancer

Queen Camilla shared a sweet moment with a member of the extended royal family.

On Tuesday, May 12, the Queen welcomed a group of canines from Medical Detection Dogs (MDD), as well as their handlers and supporters of the charity. One such supporter was Kate Middleton’s younger brother, James Middleton, a well-known dog lover.

Queen Camilla, 78, greeted James, 39, with a kiss on the cheek, and the pair chatted for a moment before watching one of the dogs in action, a yellow Labrador named Jodie.

Queen Camilla, Patron of Medical Detection Dogs (MDD) watches a demonstration by Bowel Cancer Medical Detection Dog Jodie during a reception to celebrate the charity at Clarence House on May 12, 2026 in London, England. MDD trains life-saving Medical Alert Assistance Dogs and Bio Detection Dogs, both of which can be trained to detect even the tiniest trace of the smell caused by a medical condition.

Queen Camilla watches a demonstration by Bowel Cancer Medical Detection Dog Jodie during a reception to celebrate the charity at Clarence House on May 12, 2026.Aaron Chown – WPA Pool/Getty

MDD’s dogs are trained in early detection of certain types of cancer, a cause close to both the Queen and James’ hearts, as both King Charles and Princess Kate have undergone treatment for cancer in recent years.

The canines’ skills are being explored and replicated by AI to create an “electronic nose,” which can “replicate the dogs’ diagnostic accuracy in scalable technology.”

The charity shared a joint post with the royals’ official Instagram account, recapping the day and sharing the goal of their tech, with the help of the Queen’s patronage.

“Bio Detection Dogs are trained to detect diseases like cancers, Parkinson’s, COVID-19, malaria and bacterial infections on samples in the charity’s training room,” the caption read. “Her Majesty saw a couple of the dogs at work and then watched a demonstration of the MDD’s new electronic nose… an early prostate cancer screening tool and has been inspired and informed by MDD Bio Detection Dogs, including Florin the dog, who the Queen saw in action.”

James, the younger brother of Kate and her sister, Pippa, has previously opened up about the medical benefits he’s found through breeding and raising dogs. He has been candid about struggling with depression, saying that working with dogs helped him to understand and express his feelings during “a time when I couldn’t connect with humans.”

“Dogs have sort of played a really instrumental part of my life,” James told ITV’s This Morning during an April 2026 appearance with his dog Isla. “During a time of when I had clinical depression, I really connected to understanding how much dogs give you, but … they don’t ask for anything in return.”

“During that time, I made a vow that I would try to give back to them as much as they give to me,” he added, saying that at the time he was “probably about 5% the way there.”

The Queen’s latest canine encounter comes just a few days after she and other senior royals met another type of service dog.

During a garden party at Buckingham Palace on May 6, the Queen, King Charles, Princess Anne and more were all introduced to Vegas, a 2-year-old cocker spaniel who serves as a hearing dog for the deaf.

Rather than curtsy or bow as is tradition when meeting royalty, Vegas couldn’t contain her excitement, excitedly hopping up to greet both the King and his sister.

Anne seemed utterly charmed by the gesture, bending down to hold Vegas’ front paws with a smile. “Is it everyone or is it just me?” she asked the dog,

The Princess Royal meets hearing dog Vegas, trained by the Hearing Dogs for Deaf People charity, during a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace

Princess Anne greets Vegas, a hearing dog for the deafh, during a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on May 6, 2026.Aaron Chown – WPA Pool/GettyThe Princess Royal, 75, wasn’t even bothered when Vegas’s owner, Kate Wilson, apologetically pointed out that the restless pup had dug a few holes in the palace lawn.

“Oh, it’s quite all right,” she said, complimenting the pup’s efforts. “It’s a good size.”