However, when they launched their company, Party Pieces, their lives changed forever.

For decades, Party Pieces generated a strong flood of revenue for the Middleton family.

Of course, nobody’s life is perfect and that applies to the Middletons, as well.

Carole and Michael Middleton

Beneath the veneer of their picture-perfect life, the Middletons have endured one tragedy after another.

But, the reality is thatPrincess Catherine lived a lavish life before marrying Prince William.

Her parents sent her to pricey boarding schools and housed her in a 1.5 million home.

Michael, Catherine, and Carole Middleton walking in hats and coats

However, this financial inheritance had a dark side.

However, during World War I, all three of Frank’s sons were killed.

Only his two daughters, Olive and Anne Lupton, survived to inherit the money.

Catherine, Carole, Michael, and Pippa Middleton in bleachers

Their share was worth over 2 million in today’s currency.

Although this money was eventually able to benefit the Middleton children, its roots are profoundly tragic.

In fact, Carole Middleton was famously descended from James Harrison, a coal miner based in Northern England.

Carole and Michael walking outside during press interview

It was a far cry from the vast estates inhabited by the ancestors of William’s closest friends.

Nicholl went on to explain, “Obviously, that is a bit of a put-down.

The British press was arguably no better.

Carole Middleton close-up wearing sunglasses

She is pushy, rather twee, and incredibly middle-class.

She uses words such as ‘pleased to meet you,’ ‘toilet,’ and ‘pardon.’

Carole Middleton’s character made several appearances, as interpreted by Eve Best.

Carole Middleton and Princess Catherine wearing fascinators

Unfortunately, her portrayal was not particularly positive.

Throughout Season 6, Carole Middleton’s character seemed very invested in climbing the social ladder.

You know, I was just a lowly stewardess.

Prince William & Princess Catherine walking with kids and Middletons

While his grandmother had been friendly with the queen’s aunt.

His father was an RAF pilot who had flown with Prince Philip.

I felt like the luckiest woman in the world.”

Carole and James Middleton in bleachers

Unfortunately, this idea of Carole as a pushy status-obsessed mother is not necessarily faithful to reality.

Well, they haven’t" (viaToday).

The mother of three has also suffered considerably at the hands of the tabloid media.

Carole and Michael walking

Carole, of course, was far from the only victim of this strategy.

The outlet even used illegal hacking to discover William’s private nickname for Catherine “babykins.”

All in all, this was a huge invasion of privacy and may have even traumatized the Middletons.

Carole and Michael Middleton outside Westminster Abbey gates

As the former owners of a party business, they reveled in decorating their home.

Some years, they’ve even been known to purchase multiple Christmas trees.

Writing for theDaily Mailin 2019, James described his battle with depression.

Michael Middleton guides Carole

“I know I’m richly blessed and live a privileged life.

But it did not make me immune to depression.

It is an illness, a cancer of the mind,” the royal in-law wrote.

For Carole and Michael Middleton, it would have been difficult to watch their son endure this mental illness.

“I couldn’t communicate, even with those I loved best: my family and close friends.

Luckily, Carole and Michael’s youngest child was eventually able to seek psychological support.

“I knew if I accepted help there would be hope.

It was a tiny spark of light in the darkness,” James explained.

They also added, “Carole will be working hard to put this right.”

For Carole Middleton, in particular, this was devastating.

In the end, Carole and Michael Middleton were forced to sell their business.

Carole and Michael, however, will be out of the business for good.

According to royal expert, Jennie Bond, this diagnosis likely proved quite painful for the Middleton family.

One palace insider even toldPeople, “Her parents are an enduring factor in the upbringing of their grandchildren.

And they will be a reassuring presence when she goes back to Windsor to recuperate.”