Advertisement
Kate Middleton rose to global fame upon marrying Prince William in 2011, with her father, Michael, proudly walking her down the aisle while her mother, Carole, observed from the first row.
The Middletons seamlessly integrated into the Royal Family, with Carole reportedly sharing a close bond with the late Queen Elizabeth II. Despite not being aristocrats or nobility, the Middletons were not entirely middle-class, leaning towards the upper echelons of society, distinguishing them as “commoners,” a characteristic uncommon among royal suitors until Kate married William.
Michael and Carole Middleton’s professional journey began at British Airways, where they both worked. Carole served as a flight attendant, while Michael worked as a flight dispatcher. Their paths crossed in the 1970s, culminating in marriage in 1980. Two years later, they welcomed their first child, Catherine Elizabeth, into the family, followed by Philippa (Pippa) a year later and James in 1987.
In preparation for Kate’s 5th birthday, Carole, frustrated with available party supplies, embarked on founding her own company with her husband, named Party Pieces. The family played active roles, handling everything from orders and box-filling to deliveries. Pippa contributed to the business blog, James assisted with baking, and Kate managed Party Pieces’ “first birthday” and “baby” categories. However, the business faced financial challenges during the pandemic, leading to insolvency and eventual sale to a British entrepreneur in 2023.
Carole, born on Jan. 31, 1955, in Perrivale, London, grew up in a working-class family and joined British Airways after working as a shop assistant. Michael, born on June 23, 1949, in Leeds, hailed from an upper-class family with aristocratic ties. Six years Carole’s senior, Michael attended the University of Surrey, trained as a pilot, and later opted for a ground crew role, setting the stage for his encounter with Carole.
The Middleton children, including Kate, attended prestigious boarding schools. Rumors suggest that Carole, aware of Prince William’s enrollment, influenced Kate to choose the University of St. Andrews over her initial preference, the University of Edinburgh, after a gap year.