He was a flight dispatcher, she was a flight attendant.
They didn’t have a wedding with all the trappings of wealth or fame.
Unlike her parents before her, Kate fell in love with a veritable royal Prince William, no less.
And, she was even allowed to borrow a Cartier tiara from her new grandmother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II.
At the end of the ceremony, Kate was transformed into Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
In 2022, she became Catherine, Princess of Wales.
For Carole and Michael, this was certainly an intense transition.
No longer were they just an ordinary couple from Bucklebury, England.
They were the Windsors' beloved royal in-laws.
As such, Carole and Michael lost their status as an ordinary pair and were thrust into the spotlight.
Luckily enough, their new life of fame came with perks galore.
Carole founded a successful mail-order business in 1987 around the time Catherine turned five.
“All I could find were basic clown plates.
There, Catherine and Pippa both thrived athletically as well as academically.
Studying at this elite institution can costs about 20,000 per term (around 25,000 USD).
But, the way the Middletons saw it, the money was worth every penny.
For Carole, being able to send her children to an exclusive boarding school was a massive deal.
Sadly, her parents had not earned enough money to pay for all the schooling she longed to complete.
Being able to send her three kids to an institution like Marlborough College was a huge achievement.
In addition to a roomy mansion, Carole and Michael’s property boasts extensive grounds.
Their well-trimmed lawn and gorgeous gardens offer ample space for the youngest members of the family to frolic about.
Meanwhile, tennis courts and a swimming pool provide summertime entertainment for the whole family.
A historic fireplace and a plethora of Christmas trees keep the family occupied during the winter.
They are especially well-known for their incredible dinner parties, as they plan these gatherings down to a tee.
Speaking toMarie Claire UK, Carole discussed how much she loves serving elegant canapes to her guests.
“It’s best to choose seasonal ingredients and something that’s sophisticated yet simple to create.
Sticky baked prunes wrapped in prosciutto are always popular as a festive canape.
Or, as a vegetarian option, caramelized figs with crumbled feta cheese,” the entrepreneur revealed.
Carole has been known to purchase expensive wines for her friends, and Champagne is frequently on the menu.
“Some sort of bubbles are a must to serve when guests arrive.
A good alcohol-free alternative is sparkling elderflower with a dash of pomegranate.
For Carole and Michael Middleton, however, that scenario could not be further from the truth.
The royal in-laws have long been known for spending a lot of money on their outdoor luncheons.
Per the outlet, Carole and Michael’s contribution to their daughter’s nuptials spanned into six-figure territory.
Carole Middleton’s 60th birthday party was also a bash to remember.
In a chat withE!
“Basil is making a special bespoke Champagne cocktail for Carole for her birthday,” the insider divulged.
Of course, not justanybodywas allowed to attend this major event.
To protect the family’s privacy, Carole and Michael asked their guests to leave their cameras at home.
The final list apparently included “just those who are very trusted and wealthy Mustique residents.”
As such, they have been invited to many exclusive royal events.
Carole and Michael, meanwhile, were asked to attend the event.
Carole, in particular, has been known to wear gorgeous attire to exclusive royal events.
On occasion, she will even wear designer labels.
This was evident at Prince William and Princess Catherine’s nuptials which saw Carole flaunting a wool coat dress.
Ever the fashionista, Carole matched her outfit with a wide-brimmed hat designed by Hans Corbett.
Interestingly, Catherine’s wedding would not be the last time that Carole would wear something by Walker.
Later, at King Charles III’s coronation, Carole wore a bold blue dress by the same designer.
On all three occasions, she looked absolutely stunning.
Her clothing was certainly fit for a queen or at least the mother of a princess.
