Princess Catherine, more commonly known as Kate Middleton, captured the world’s attention when she married Prince William in a grand ceremony in 2011.
And while much is known about the Princess of Wales, her family background is equally intriguing.
Born on January 9, 1982 in Reading, England, Catherine Elizabeth Middleton was raised by her parents Carole and Michael Middleton.
Read on to learn more about them…
Is Kate Middleton from a royal family?
No, Kate Middleton is not from a royal family; her parents Carole and Michael Middleton worked respectively as a flight attendant and flight dispatcher at British Airways before founding the mail order company Party Pieces together in 1987.
However, Kate’s connection to royalty did not begin when she married Prince William.
The origins of Kate’s family can be traced back to the Tudor era and by the early 20th century, the Middleton family had married into the British nobility. By the 1920s, the Middleton’s would regularly host the British royal family.
Furthermore, Captain Peter Francis Middleton – Kate’s paternal grandfather – was Prince Philip’s co-pilot during a tour of South America in 1962, and Carole – Kate’s mother – is a very distant relative of the Queen Mother.
How did Kate Middleton’s parents make their money?
As aforementioned, Carole and Michael Middleton founded Party Pieces in 1987, and this is how they built their fortune.
The company initially began as a small mail order business specialising in party decorations and supplies.
But over the years to come, Party Pieces expanded its offerings and became an incredibly successful online retailer for various celebration essentials.
Sadly though, in 2023, Party Pieces collapsed into administration.
Did Kate Middleton’s mother set her up to meet Prince William?
It’s believed by many that Carole Middleton (née Goldsmith) played matchmaker but there is no evidence to suggest that she intentionally set up her daughter with Prince William.
The couple met in 2001 at the University of St. Andrews, where they both studied art history.
Kate and William’s relationship then developed organically, and they became close friends before romance blossomed.
Carole has stated in multiple interviews that she had no part in orchestrating their meeting, emphasising that their love story unfolded naturally.
Who are Kate Middleton’s siblings?
Kate Middleton has two younger siblings: a sister named Pippa and a brother named James.
Philippa Charlotte Middleton, commonly known as Pippa, was born on September 6, 1983.
Like her sister, Pippa gained widespread attention at Kate’s royal wedding – particularly for her role as the maid of honour and her figure hugging dress…
James William Middleton, born on April 15, 1987, is the youngest of the Middleton siblings.
He is an entrepreneur and has been involved in various business ventures, including the cake-making company, Cake Kit Company.
