Royal In-Laws Michael And Carole Middleton Lead 'Really Normal' Life

Oct 05, 2022 by apost team

With Prince William and Catherine Middleton poised as the next couple to reign over the United Kingdom now that Queen Elizabeth II has died and King Charles III has taken the throne, the curiosity surrounding the Middleton family has once again sparked. Plenty is known about the Windsors, but less has circulated about their in-laws who joined the royal ranks after their daughter married the future king in 2011. Who are Kate's parents, Michael and Carole Middleton? 

According to the book, "Kate: A Biography of Kate Middleton," Carole was born on Jan. 31, 1955, in Perivale, London. Her father was Ronald Goldsmith, a builder. Ronald and his wife Dorothy raised their family in a council house in Southall and Carole attended state schools in the area. She worked as a flight attendant for British Airways and met her husband-to-be on the job. 

Michael worked as a steward for the airline before getting promoted to flight dispatcher. The book elaborates that Carole came from a more humble background as compared to her husband. His forefathers were wealthy solicitors (his great-grandfather Noel married Olive Lupton who hailed from a rich Leeds family), while Carole’s forefathers were manual laborers, coal miners specifically

Given these relatively humble roots, who could have ever thought that Carole and Michael's firstborn child would go on to marry the UK's future king?! Catherine, better known as Kate, was born on Jan. 9, 1982, and she was followed shortly after by a younger sister named Philippa Charlotte Middleton, who was born on Sept. 6, 1983, and is best known as Pippa. 

Following the birth of their two daughters, the Middletons moved to Amman, Jordan, where Michael worked for British Airways from 1984–1987. This was also the year that the couple's last child, a son named James William Middelton was born, and the year that Carole established Party Pieces. 

The mail-order supply company sells party decorations and after years of careful building and business savvy is now worth an estimated $40 million. On the company's official website, Carole stated, "Party Pieces began as a way to make it easier to celebrate those special events with friends and family, and it's something we've never lost focus of." This success is perhaps what put young Catherine on the path to the prestigious St. Andrews University, where she would meet her future husband William. 

Supposedly growing up as a tomboy, Kate studied art history at university. After graduating in 2005, she worked part-time for the clothing brand Jigsaw as an accessory buyer. She was headed for a career in fashion, which for anyone who's a fan of her sense of style, makes perfect sense! On top of her work in fashion, Kate also helped out with her parents' business, assisting with catalog design and production, marketing and photography. In fact, her passion for photography is still evident today, as the doting mom of three often takes gorgeous candid photographs of her children and family, many of which are posted to the Wales family's official Instagram account. She has also used her trained stylistic eye to curate photography exhibitions for charity. 

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The other Middleton children have gone on to successful careers, each distinct in their own way. After graduating, Pippa worked in public relations and then events management. She also wrote for Vanity Fair, The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph. Since then Pippa has gotten married, had a child, and appears to be focusing on charity work. James started a marshmallow company named Boomf, which is still going strong. He has also been a voice for mental health issues and has spoken about his depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Their parents have similarly lived relatively unremarkable existences, weathering the spotlight that comes with marrying into the royal family. In a 2018 interview, Carole spoke on what it's like to be gossiped about as well as the curiosity strangers show. On their eagerness to uncover the seemingly secret lives of the Middletons, she said, "The thing is … it is really normal — most of the time."

She also touched on her drive to still have a career despite the family's now astronomical wealth. She told reporters, "I don’t see myself stopping (work). If I did I’d have to have so many projects on. I’d have to redecorate the house. I’d love to travel, but then I’d miss the grandchildren. No … I’ve got a billion ideas I still want to do."

Clearly, exposure and fame haven't slowed down this dynamic couple. Rather than retiring and kicking back as the grandparents to one-day-king George, the Middletons seem content to live as they always have — humbly and with a focus on family. 

What more do you wish you knew about the Middletons? Let us know — and be sure to pass this article on to friends, family as well as any fellow royalists!