When Kate Middleton married into the royal family, it wasn’t just her life that changed forever; her close-knit family also stepped into the global spotlight. Suddenly, the parents of the Duchess of Cambridge, Michael and Carole Middleton, along with her siblings, Pippa Middleton and James Middleton, became figures of public interest. While the monarchy boasts centuries of tradition and grandeur, the Middletons come from more grounded beginnings, adding a relatable and modern dimension to the royal narrative.
Michael and Carole Middleton’s story began with shared aspirations at British Airways. Meeting while working for the airline, they married in 1980 and built their family life away from royal palaces, raising their three children – Catherine (Kate), Pippa, and James – in the charming village of Bucklebury, England. Despite not being born into royalty, Kate Middleton has often spoken of her idyllic childhood in the countryside, a stark contrast yet a complementary backdrop to her current royal duties. These formative years and strong family bonds have profoundly shaped the Princess of Wales.
“I had a very happy childhood. It was great fun — I’m very lucky, I’ve come from a very strong family,” Kate Middleton shared in a heartfelt 2020 interview on the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast. Reflecting on her upbringing, she emphasized, “My parents were hugely dedicated to us, my siblings. I really appreciate now as a parent how much they sacrificed for us.” This dedication fostered a close family dynamic, evident in Michael and Carole’s constant support at school events and cherished family holidays.
This familial bond has not weakened as the Middleton children have grown, married, and started families of their own. Pippa Middleton now has three children with her husband, James Matthews, and James Middleton is a father to a son with his wife, Alizeé Thevenet. Through life’s milestones and challenges, including Kate Middleton’s recent cancer diagnosis in March 2024, the family’s unity remains a source of strength.
James Middleton poignantly captured this family pride and admiration in a July 2023 interview on Good Morning Britain, saying, “[I’m extremely proud]. I’m always taken aback by how much she does do. But to be honest, she’s my sister, so I know all of her quirks and everything and to see her blossoming in that role, I’m very proud of her.”
From their early connections to the royal family to the joyful expansion with grandchildren, here’s an in-depth look at the individuals who make up the Kate Middleton Family.
Kate Middleton’s Parents: Michael and Carole Middleton
Carole Elizabeth Middleton: The Entrepreneurial Mother
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Carole Middleton, Catherine Princess of Wales, at King Charles III Coronation
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Carole Middleton, born Carole Elizabeth Goldsmith on January 31, 1955, in Perivale, England, embodies a remarkable journey from humble beginnings to becoming the mother of the future Queen Consort. Her parents, Ronald, a builder, and Dorothy, a shop clerk, instilled in her a strong work ethic that shaped her life and career. Growing up watching her parents work diligently to provide for their family deeply influenced Carole’s own ambitions.
“I grew up watching my parents, who both worked extremely hard,” Carole revealed in a 2021 interview with Good Housekeeping. She recalled, “I remember them working hard to make ends meet and give us a lifestyle.” This early exposure to hard work propelled her career trajectory. Carole climbed the ranks at British Airways, starting as a secretary and progressing to ground crew and eventually a flight attendant. It was at British Airways that she met Michael Middleton, a flight dispatcher, marking the beginning of their family story.
Carole and Michael married in June 1980 and welcomed three children: Catherine (Kate) on January 9, 1982, Pippa on September 6, 1983, and James on April 15, 1987. Inspired by her own children’s birthday parties, Carole identified a gap in the market for children’s party supplies. In 1987, she launched Party Pieces from her kitchen table. This venture blossomed into a highly successful business, enabling the Middletons to afford private education for their children and purchase homes in Bucklebury and Chelsea. After years of growth and success, Party Pieces was sold in 2023 to entrepreneur James Sinclair.
Reflecting on her entrepreneurial journey, Carole told the Daily Mail in 2021 about Party Pieces, “The success that we’ve had has helped us build the life we have currently. I feel incredibly fortunate to have found the professional fulfillment I always wanted.”
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Carole Middleton and Michael Middleton attend Royal Ascot 2017
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Beyond her business achievements, Carole’s life took a significant turn when Kate’s relationship with Prince William became public in 2002 during their time at the University of St. Andrews. Carole officially became William’s mother-in-law at their globally televised wedding on April 29, 2011, witnessed by 1,900 guests.
Carole has been actively involved and supportive during both Kate and Pippa’s wedding preparations. She shared with The Telegraph in 2018, “[I was involved lots with both Pip’s and Catherine’s weddings]. But I think the most important thing, as a parent, is to listen to what your daughter wants. You can have all the ideas in the world, but it has to be about them.”
Currently, Carole is a vital support system for Princess Kate and Prince William. Described as a “reassuring presence,” she has been instrumental in supporting Kate through her recovery from abdominal surgery and ongoing cancer treatment. Carole is also a doting grandmother to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, whom she “adores.” Her warm relationship extended to the late Queen Elizabeth, with whom she shared a unique bond. A Balmoral Castle regular observer noted to PEOPLE in 2016, “I’ve never known a family drawn into the royal family like the Middletons.”
Royal writer Robert Lacy, consultant for The Crown Netflix series, highlighted Carole’s unique position: “In terms of a non-royal, young and trendy granny there’s been no one like her at all.”
Michael Francis Middleton: The Grounded Father with Aristocratic Connections
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Michael Middleton attends day two of Royal Ascot 2024
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Born on June 23, 1949, in Leeds, Michael Francis Middleton, while not from a royal background himself, has intriguing aristocratic links within his family history. His grandmother, Olive Middleton, belonged to a family with a textiles fortune and hosted members of the royal family at their manor in Leeds. Further, Michael’s father, Peter Middleton, served as Prince Philip’s first officer during a two-month flying tour of South America in the 1960s, as reported by The Telegraph.
Michael attended Clifton College and the University of Surrey. Initially following his father’s path, he entered flight school to become a pilot. However, he transitioned to ground crew and became a flight dispatcher for British Airways. This career move proved fateful, as it was at British Airways where he met Carole Goldsmith, his future wife. They married in June 1980 and together embarked on building their family.
Michael’s career took the family to Amman, Jordan, in the mid-1980s, before they returned to England, settling in Bucklebury to raise their three children. Shortly after their return, Carole launched Party Pieces in 1987. Within a year, recognizing the potential of the family business, Michael left his aviation career to join Party Pieces full-time, according to The Telegraph.
Carole recounted their early entrepreneurial days to SheerLuxe in 2022, “My husband and I were young and a little inexperienced, but very enthusiastic, so we didn’t worry too much. We took any early setbacks in our stride and had a lot of fun building the business together.”
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Prince William, Catherine Middleton, and her father Michael Middleton at Westminster Abbey during the Royal Wedding in 2011.
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A significant moment for the family was in 2011 when Michael proudly walked Kate down the aisle at Westminster Abbey for her wedding to Prince William. Since then, Michael and Carole have become familiar faces at royal events. They have attended King Charles’ coronation, Royal Ascot in June 2024, and Kate’s annual royal Christmas concert at Westminster Abbey, consistently showing their support.
In recent times, Michael and Carole have been a pillar of strength for Kate as she faces her cancer diagnosis and treatment. Sources close to the family have told PEOPLE that they have been “there to lend support” since Kate’s abdominal surgery, providing unwavering support and playing a crucial role in the lives of their grandchildren.
Kate Middleton’s Siblings: Pippa and James Middleton
Pippa Middleton Matthews: The Athlete and Entrepreneur
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Pippa Middleton attends the Heart Hero Awards 2023
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Philippa Charlotte Middleton, affectionately known as Pippa, was born on September 6, 1983, in Reading, Berkshire, nearly two years after Kate. From a young age, Pippa excelled in athletics, earning a sports scholarship to Marlborough College. Her passion for fitness has continued into adulthood, with Pippa participating in demanding sporting events like the Otillo Swim-Run Championship in Sweden and the Inferno ski race in Switzerland. In a 2021 interview with HOKA, Pippa expressed her ongoing enthusiasm for fitness challenges, listing the London and New York City marathons and the Cape Town Cycle Tour among her aspirations.
Pippa’s public profile rose significantly with Kate’s relationship with Prince William. She became a global sensation following the 2011 royal wedding, particularly after appearing as maid of honor in a now-iconic ivory dress designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. British media often hailed her as one of England’s most eligible bachelorettes until her relationship with financier James Matthews became serious in the fall of 2012.
Addressing the intense media attention, Pippa told the Daily Mail in 2016, “I try not to be too sensitive about things because it’s a bit of life I have to deal with. But I would be lying if I said it didn’t affect me.”
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Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Pippa Middleton in the Royal Box at Wimbledon 2019
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Pippa and James Matthews married in May 2017, with Princess Charlotte and Prince George participating as part of the wedding party. They now have three children: son Arthur (born October 2018) and daughters Grace (born March 2021) and Rose (born June 2022). Despite their close royal connections, Pippa and James have chosen to keep their marriage and children largely out of the public eye.
Professionally, Pippa holds degrees in English literature and physical education, sport and physical literacy. She authored Celebrate: A Year of Festivities for Families and Friends in 2012, a book on party planning, and actively engages in philanthropy. Pippa has been an ambassador for the British Heart Foundation since 2014, using her platform for charitable causes.
James William Middleton: The Entrepreneur and Mental Health Advocate
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James Middleton attends the GQ Men Of The Year Awards 2019
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James William Middleton, the youngest of the Middleton siblings, was born on April 15, 1987, in Reading, England, completing the close-knit trio. Following in his mother’s entrepreneurial footsteps, James has carved out a career as a serial entrepreneur. He initially worked with his parents’ company, Party Pieces, selling themed birthday cake-baking kits. He then ventured out to create The Cake Kit Company, which later dissolved in 2015. In 2013, James launched Boomf, a personalized marshmallow business. His latest venture, a natural pet food company initially named Ella & Co., debuted in 2020. In 2023, he emotionally rebranded it to James & Ella following the passing of his beloved dog, Ella.
Beyond his business endeavors, James is deeply passionate about mental health advocacy. He bravely shared his personal battle with depression, describing it as “the cancer of the mind,” in a 2019 op-ed for the Daily Mail. James has been open about undergoing therapy and revealed that his sisters, Kate and Pippa, have joined him in therapy sessions. He acknowledged their unwavering support, stating, “They’ve always been there during difficult times and they were at my side during the hardest of times as well.”
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James Middleton and Alizee Thevenet attend the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Mr Thomas Kingston at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle on May 18, 2019.
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James reciprocated this support for Kate after her cancer diagnosis announcement in March 2024. He shared a touching childhood photograph of them on Instagram, accompanied by a heartfelt message of solidarity: “Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too ⛰️❤️.”
Combining his love for animals and mental health advocacy, James established the Paw Print Fund in April 2020. This organization supports animal welfare charities, including RSPCA, Battersea, and Dogs Trust. He also volunteers with Pets As Therapy and is writing a memoir about his dog Ella, titled Meet Ella: The Dog Who Changed My Life.
James began dating French financial analyst Alizeé Thevenet in 2019, and they married in a beautiful ceremony in the south of France in September 2021. They welcomed their first child, a son named Inigo, in October 2023, adding another joyful chapter to the Kate Middleton family story.
In his memoir, James further elaborated on his mental health journey and the family therapy sessions. He told Hello! magazine that therapy was “easier” for Pippa and Kate, while his parents initially struggled to understand, questioning “where had they gone wrong?” Therapy helped bridge this understanding, emphasizing that depression was not a parental failing but a complex issue stemming from multiple factors. This openness has fostered a more communicative and supportive family environment, allowing them to discuss mental health openly.
Kate Middleton’s Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law
James Spencer Matthews: Pippa’s Husband and Financier
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Pippa Middleton and James Matthews after their wedding at St Mark’s Church in 2017
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James Spencer Matthews, born on August 21, 1975, is Pippa Middleton’s husband. His father, David Matthews, is a luxury car dealer and hotelier, and his mother, Jane Matthews, is an artist. James has two brothers: Michael, who tragically died in 1999 while climbing Mount Everest, and Spencer, known for his appearances on the reality TV show Made in Chelsea.
James Matthews spent his childhood between his family’s estate in Nottinghamshire, England, and Eden Rock, the luxurious resort in St. Barthelemy owned by his father. His family also possesses the Glen Affric Estate, a sprawling 10,000-acre Scottish estate and hunting lodge.
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Pippa Matthews and James Matthews attend The ‘Together At Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 8, 2023
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Matthews began his career as a professional racing driver, achieving success by winning the British Formula Renault Championship and the Eurocup Formula Renault titles in 1994. After his racing career, he transitioned to finance, becoming an equities trader before establishing his own hedge fund, Eden Rock Capital Management (now Eden Rock Group), in 2001.
Beyond his financial career, James is set to inherit the Scottish title of Laird of Glen Affric from his father, making Pippa Lady Glen Affric in the future. Married since 2017, James and Pippa have built their family with three children, Arthur, Grace, and Rose, further enriching the Kate Middleton family lineage.
Alizeé Thevenet: James’ Wife and Financial Analyst
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Alizee Thevenet and James Middleton attend the Bulgari gala dinner to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and unveil the ‘Jubilee Emerald Garden’ on July 1, 2022
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Alizeé Thevenet, James Middleton’s wife, was born in France. Her father, the late Jean-Gabriel Thevenet, described her upbringing as international, having lived in six different countries: Germany, Indonesia, Chile, France, Belgium, and England.
Alizeé settled in the U.K. as a young adult and earned a master’s degree in investment and finance from Queen Mary, University of London. Her first encounter with James Middleton was a serendipitous moment at the South Kensington Club in London in the summer of 2018, orchestrated by James’ dog, Ella, who approached Alizeé.
James recounted their charming meeting to The Telegraph: “Little did I know, I had just met my future wife, all thanks to Ella. If I hadn’t trusted Ella, I wouldn’t have brought her to the South Kensington Club and she wouldn’t have been able to say hi to the woman who became my fiancée.”
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Alizee Middleton and James Middleton attend the switch on of Bulgari’s iconic Serpenti Christmas lights on November 12, 2021
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By January 2019, their relationship was public as they vacationed in St. Barts with Pippa and James Matthews. They made their relationship Instagram official in May 2019 and got engaged in October of the same year. After postponing their wedding twice, they married in September 2021 in France. Alizeé chose to wear her mother-in-law Carole Middleton’s wedding dress for the ceremony, a meaningful and sustainable choice.
Alizeé explained to Hello! magazine, “I tried on her wedding dress and fell in love with it. It fitted me perfectly and was exactly what I wanted. It always troubled me that wedding dresses are only worn once, so it was amazing to give such a beautiful dress a second lease of life.”
In July 2023, James announced Alizeé’s pregnancy, and they welcomed their son, Inigo, in October 2023. Alizeé Thevenet Middleton brings an international background and professional expertise to the Kate Middleton family, further diversifying and enriching their collective story.
