The snobs used to call her “Doors to Manual”, a reference to her days as an air stewardess. Today, it’s more likely to be the “New Queen Mother” or, given her closeness to Prince William and key role in Prince George’s upbringing, the “Power Behind the Throne”. Carole Middleton has come a long, long way from her humble beginnings in a council flat in South London – and surprisingly, many in the royal inner circle think she’s a very good thing. “The Queen likes her enormously,” says a senior courtier. “She has welcomed the Middletons into her extended family and thinks they have behaved impeccably from the moment Kate and William got engaged. “She sees the very relaxed, middle-class way they lead their lives and how happy it makes William. She believes George will grow up in a way that will make him much closer to his future subjects. And Carole will play an important part in this.”
The fact that Carole wasn’t born “PLU”, or People Like Us, to the upper classes is masked by the training she received as an air hostess, says Marcia Moody, author of Kate: A Biography. “It was more like an antiquated finishing school,” she says. “They were taught how to be good listeners and always have a smile on their face. It’s exactly the right sort of skill set for a member of the royal family.”
Discretion is certainly one of Carole’s qualities. Although she recently celebrated her 60th birthday with a $55,000 (before flights) holiday in Mustique, culminating in a $30,500 beach party, not a single photograph has become public. “William and Kate didn’t attend because they didn’t think it’d be right to be the centre of attention. This was Carole’s night,” says one guest. “Besides, Kate didn’t want anyone snatching a picture of her baby bump. She’s learned the hard way that a private holiday may not stay that way after she was papped sunbathing topless in France.”
Carole Middleton discretely celebrated her 60th birthday with friends, determined not to bring the Royal family into disrepute.
Despite a reputation for being socially pushy, Carole is, in fact, very reluctant to draw attention to herself. She has also set an example of keeping her family at the heart of her life, which the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are keen to follow. Having grown up with what William privately describes as “blood coming under the door” as his parents’ marriage fell apart, he is determined that his own children will enjoy the closeness that the “Mids”, as he calls them, embody. “He is determined not to make his and Kate’s domestic happiness a casualty of royal life,” says a friend. “And Carole is very much part of the plan. “For example, when Kate was suffering from morning sickness, Carole was there to comfort her. She is brilliant with George too. You should see William’s face when Carole is with them – you can see that he’s wishing Diana could have shared this as well.” But Prince Charles is confused by what he describes as “the Middletonisation” of his son. “His nose was decidedly out of joint when Carole was the first person to visit George in hospital and he can’t understand why William doesn’t want a more formal life,” says one of his team. “He simply cannot compete with Kate’s family, especially her mother, when it comes to creating an environment where William can unwind.”
Kate Middleton recently made a video appeal on behalf of a children’s mental health charity. The caring Duchess is sympathetic to the misfortunes of others, a trait she inherited from her mother.
Carole’s influence over her daughter remains strong. The glossy blow-dries, immaculate make-up and understated clothes are clearly trademarks. What is less obvious is their sympathy with the misfortunes of others – something Kate showed in a recent video appeal for support for children suffering from mental health problems. “Carole’s a good woman to have in your corner,” says a friend. “And so is her daughter.”
