Get An Inside Look At Princess Kate Middleton’s Family
Kate Middleton's ascent to royalty has fascinated people around the world for years. However, her family, the Middletons, have also been thrust into the spotlight, with many curious about their backgrounds, their personalities, and their role in Kate's life.
From Carole and Michael Middleton's humble beginnings to Pippa and James's forays into entrepreneurship, the Middleton family is a fascinating group of people with their own stories to tell. Let's take a closer look at the Middleton family.
The Middleton Family
The Middleton family is a well-known and influential British family, largely due to their connection to the royal family through the marriage of Catherine, Princess of Wales, to Prince William.
They're known as a close-knit and loving family but, like everyone, have had their fair share of family drama and scandals.
The Matriarch: Carole Middleton
The matriarch of the Middleton family, Born in 1955 in London, Carole grew up in a middle-class family and attended local schools. Her father's side of the family is descended from coal miners and has always been considered a working-class family.
Carole's father, Ronald, strayed away from the family business to become a builder, while her mother, Dorothy, worked part-time at a jewelry store.
Carole Founded Party Pieces
Carole Middleton co-founded Party Pieces, a mail-order party supplies company, with her husband, Michael Middleton, in 1987. The company started as a small business operating out of the Middleton family's garden shed but grew to become a successful enterprise.
Party Pieces offers a wide range of party supplies, from decorations and tableware to themed costumes and party favors. They cater to very high-profile clients.
The Public Thinks Carol's Capitalizing On The King's Coronation
For King Charles' 2023 coronation, Carole and Michael Middleton are leaving no stone unturned with their company, Party Pieces, making sure to have coronation-themed products in their catalog.
Many people believe it is nothing more than a publicity stunt and the Middleton's way to wedge themselves into the royal family and gain favor. On top of that, others think the Middleton family is trying to capitalize on the coronation since their business has been in millions worth of debt since 2020.
The Patriarch: Michael Middleton
Michael Middleton is the father of Catherine, Princess of Wales, and is known for his love of sports and the outdoors.
Born in Leeds, England, in 1949, Michael attended Clifton College in Bristol before studying at the University of London's School of Economics.
Michael Was Born Into A Wealthy Family
Unlike his wife, Michael Middleton was born into a wealthy family with aristocratic ties. Many people believe these ties are what pushed the Middletons to have Kate, their daughter, pursue a relationship with Prince William while the two were still in college.
Even though he was born into wealth, Michael attributes his funds to nothing more than hard work and dedication.
Michael's Family Coat Of Arms Was Created In 2011
The Middleton family was granted a coat of arms by the College of Arms in 2011 in honor of the marriage of Kate to Prince William. The coat of arms features three acorns, representing the Middleton children, and a gold chevron, representing Carole Middleton's maiden name, Goldsmith.
The design also includes a blue ribbon, which signifies the family's connection to the Order of the Garter, and a white chevron that symbolizes the family's love of skiing. The coat of arms is a reflection of the Middleton family's history and interests and serves as a proud symbol of their connection to the royal family.
The Sister: Philippa "Pippa" Matthews
Born in 1983, Philippa, better known as Pippa, grew up in Bucklebury, England, and attended Marlborough College before studying English literature at the University of Edinburgh.
After graduation, she worked for several years in London, including a stint as an event planner for the company Table Talk. Pippa gained widespread attention in 2011 when she served as a bridesmaid at her sister's wedding to Prince William.
Pippa Wrote a Book; It Was Not Well Received
Pippa wrote a party planning book called Celebrate. Receiving over a $400,000 advance on the book, it was released in 2012. Sadly, it received less than promising reviews as critics were quick to mention there was no original content in the text, and everything was obvious.
Pippa left her literary agent soon after.
Pippa Married A Hedge Fund Manager
Pippa Middleton married James Matthews, a hedge fund manager, and former professional racecar driver, on May 20, 2017, at St. Mark's Church in Englefield, Berkshire. The wedding was attended by members of the royal family, including Prince William, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and Prince Harry.
Pippa's wedding dress was designed by Giles Deacon and featured a high neckline and cap sleeves. The ceremony was followed by a reception at the Middleton family's estate in Bucklebury, which was reportedly decorated with cherry blossom trees and a glass palace.
The Brother: James Middleton
The youngest and only son of the Middleton family, James Middleton is the brother of Catherine, Princess of Wales, and is known for his entrepreneurial ventures and advocacy for mental health due to his personal history.
Born in 1987, James grew up in Bucklebury, England, and attended the University of Edinburgh.
James Is Heavily Invested In The Company Boomf
James Middleton founded a company called Boomf in 2013, which produces personalized marshmallows with printed images or messages. The idea for the company came about when James was looking for a unique gift to send to a friend and came up with the concept of printing photos on marshmallows.
The company quickly gained popularity and expanded its product line to include gift boxes and greeting cards.
James Is Very Philanthropic
James is a keen advocate for mental health awareness and has spoken openly about his own struggles with depression and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). He has used his platform to raise awareness about mental health issues and to encourage people to seek help when they need it.
James has also been involved in several philanthropic endeavors, including raising funds for the Michael Matthews Foundation, a charity founded in memory of his late brother-in-law, and participating in a charity trek to the South Pole to raise funds for the charity Walking With The Wounded.
The Princess: Catherine Middleton
Kate Middleton, now officially Catherine, Princess of Wales, is the wife of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and a member of the British royal family.
Born in 1982 in Reading, England, Kate grew up in Bucklebury and attended Marlborough College before studying art history at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.
Princess Kate Is Married To Prince William
Kate met Prince William at university, and the two began dating in 2003. They announced their engagement in 2010 and were married in a lavish ceremony at Westminster Abbey the following year.
Since becoming a member of the royal family, Kate has been an active patron of several charities, including those focused on mental health, children's welfare, and the arts.
Kate And William's Dog, Lupo, Was A Gift From James
Lupo was the beloved pet dog of Catherine, Princess of Wales, and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. He was a black English Cocker Spaniel and was born in 2011. Lupo was a gift from Kate's brother, James, shortly after the royal couple's wedding in 2011.
Lupo quickly became a beloved member of the family and was often seen accompanying the royal couple on public outings, including a polo match and a visit to a children's hospice.
The Middleton's Are Very Active
The Middleton family is known for their love of sports and outdoor activities. Carole and Michael Middleton are both keen outdoor enthusiasts and have been seen participating in various sports, including tennis, skiing, and sailing. Pippa Middleton is also an avid skier and has completed several long-distance charity bike rides and endurance events.
Even James and Kate are seen biking, walking, and playing tennis from time to time! The Princess even played field hockey in high school.
Carole & Michael Met Working For British Airways
Carole and Michael Middleton reportedly met while working for British Airways in the 1970s. Carole worked as a flight attendant for the airline, while Michael worked as a flight dispatcher.
According to reports, the couple hit it off immediately and started dating soon after. They were married in 1980 at St. James' Parish Church in Dorney, Buckinghamshire.
Middle Class But Always Aimed Higher
The Middletons were a middle-class family that always aimed for something more. Their dreams became a reality when their business, Party Pieces, took off and their daughter, Kate, married Prince William.
Now, thanks to the economy of 2020, their company is over $1.66 million in debt, and rumors are swirling that they are trying to gain more and more royal favor.
But There Is a Trust Fund
Being born into a family with aristocratic ties, Michael was never going to be strapped for cash, even though his family was considered middle class and didn't flaunt money around.
That being said, it has been reported that Michael has a trust fund that's been passed down through his family for over 100 years. The amount in the trust is not known.
Pippa Was Photographed At A Club In A Precarious Position
In 2011, less than a week after her sister's wedding and her face being plastered across the media, Pippa was photographed while she was out on the town.
Unfortunately for her, she was dancing on a table while scantily dressed and next to a man not wearing a shirt or pants.
"Middleton Drama" Has Helped Meghan Markle's Image
The Middleton's are no strangers to family drama, thanks to Gary's run-ins with the law, rumors swirling about, and even mental health issues.
Reports have suggested that this "drama" has helped Meghan Markle's image, as the press loves to dig up any dirt they can on the wife of Prince Harry.
Kate's Grandmother Was As A Code Breaker During WWII
Valerie Glassborow was the maternal grandmother of Catherine, Princess of Wales. She was a codebreaker during World War II, working for the Government Code and Cipher School at Bletchley Park.
Glassborow worked on decoding messages sent by the German Enigma machine, which played a crucial role in the Allied victory in the war. After the war, she married Peter Middleton, who also worked in military intelligence, and they went on to have two children, Michael and Richard Middleton.
Michael Took Prince George's 3rd Birthday Card Picture
One of Michael Middleton's hobbies is photography. In fact, he is an avid photographer who has taken many of the family's "official pictures."
One of these photographs was known other than for Prince George's third birthday card that went out to the royal family, friends, and posted for the public to see.
Gary Goldsmith Is The "Black Sheep" Of The Family
Gary Goldsmith is the younger brother of Carole Middleton, the mother of Catherine, Princess of Wales. He is a businessman and entrepreneur who made his fortune in IT recruitment. Goldsmith has been married four times and has three children. He has had a colorful personal life and has been the subject of several tabloid stories over the years.
Even though he was arrested in 2009, given community service, and sentenced to classes, he has maintained a close relationship with his sister and the rest of the Middleton family.
Kate's Grandfather Flew With Prince Philip In The 1950s
Kate Middleton's grandfather, Peter Middleton, flew with Prince Philip in the 1950s as part of his duties with the Royal Air Force. Middleton served as a fighter pilot during World War II and went on to have a successful career in aviation, rising to the rank of Wing Commander.
In 1950, he was posted to Malta, where he flew alongside Prince Philip, who was serving in the Royal Navy at the time. Middleton and Prince Philip reportedly became good friends during their time together and continued to stay in touch over the years.
James Is A Dog Lover For A Reason
James Middleton is known for his love of dogs and is a proud owner of a pack of nine dogs of various breeds. He has shared numerous photos and videos of his furry friends on social media and often speaks about the positive impact that his dogs have had on his mental health.
James has also been involved in several philanthropic efforts related to animal welfare, including a campaign to raise funds for the animal welfare charity, Pets As Therapy.
Aristocratic Ties
Royal historian Robert Lacy has said that Michael Middleton's family have aristocratic ties far down the line, namely Florence Kitson, Baroness Airedale.
Aside from the Baroness, numerous members of his family have played host to members of the British royal family throughout the 1920s in Leeds, England.
A Great Relationship With Their Son-In-Law
During an interview in May 2021 with emergency personnel, Prince William spoke of his in-laws. He said, "Some people are quite happy they haven't seen their in-laws for a year."
"I love my in-laws. … The funny thing is when I spoke to my family; I found it so good to catch up..."
Scandalous Pictures Of James Resurfaced
After his sister's royal wedding in 2011, James became a bit famous himself, just not for the right reasons. A short time after the wedding, scandalous photos of James made their way to the tabloids.
Considering nothing really came out of the resurfacing of the pictures, people have pretty much forgotten it happened.
