Carole Middleton's first interview: Why she's never spoken to the press before
Carole Middleton has finally spoken to the press – 13 years since her eldest daughter Kate began dating Prince William.
The 63-year-old and her husband Michael, 69, have remained discreet throughout their daughter’s relationship, giving statements to the press on just two occasions: after Kate and William’s engagement news broke and when their first grandchild, Prince George, was born.
In her first interview with The Telegraph, Carole says: “Over the years, it’s proved wise not to say anything.”
She also revealed she stopped reading the stories about herself online over a year ago, adding: “Well, I thought it was better to know what people thought.
“But it doesn’t make any difference.
“I’m not really sure how I’m perceived now.”
“But the thing is… it is really normal – most of the time.’
In the run-up to the royal wedding in April 2011, Carole faced scrutiny from the media, amid claims that she was a “pushy mum.”
Carole, who has run her own Berkshire-based business Party Pieces for the past 30 years, also spoke of her upbringing in West London with her mother Dorothy and father Ron, a painter and decorator and shared some parenting advice of her own.
“I think one of the most important qualities of a good parent is discipline,” she told the paper. “That doesn’t mean you’re strict, but routine is vital.
“Maybe structure is a nicer word. You can’t suddenly start teaching them about politeness at 13.
“You have to do it from the start.”
Carole met flight dispatcher Michael while working as a flight attendant for British Airways.
The couple were married in 1980 and Kate was born on 9 January 1982. Pippa arrived the following year and the family moved to Jordan for two and a half years.
Their only son James was born in 1987 and Carole launched her children’s party supplies business that year, putting up flyers in Kate’s local playgroup in Bucklebury.
A year or so later, Michael gave up his job to help.
While Carole said that she doesn’t see herself retiring any time soon, she revealed in the interview that her biggest fear as her children grew up “was that I’d lose my family, but we’ve stayed close.”
Kate’s mum also listed her festive planning tips and allows her grandchildren (George, Charlotte, Louis and Pippa’s newborn Arthur) to decorate their own Christmas trees in their rooms.
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