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STRANGE THINGS ABOUT KATE MIDDLETON’S FAMILY

Kate Middleton instantly became famous when she started dating and subsequently married Prince William, and her family members found fame, too. For instance, Kate’s sister Pippa Middleton found herself at the center of several controversial moments that have rocked her reputation. Kate’s mom Carole Middleton ran a multi-million dollar business, which presumably benefited from her connections to the royal family. Kate’s brother James Middleton talked about his mental health journey candidly, using his newfound platform to help others.

During an interview with The Telegraph, Carole opened up about her life as the mother of the Princess of Wales, and her concerns after her family entered the spotlight. “My biggest fear was that I’d lose my family, but we’ve stayed close,” she told the publication. “There are times when they say, ‘Can you do this, or that?’ and I can’t quite. But they like the fact that I work.”

From unexpected christening gifts to Kardashian comparisons and the unlikeliest way to make a million dollars, join us as we explore some of the strangest things about Kate Middleton’s family.

Kate’s brother made a lot of money selling marshmallows

In May 2020, Kate Middleton’s brother James Middleton launched the dog food company James & Ella, inspired by his own love of the furry creatures. But dog food wasn’t James’ first foray into the business world. In 2013, the Middleton sibling started the company Boomf, a personalized marshmallow company, and for a number of years, he had some success with the product. It was reported in August 2021 that Boomf had made a whopping £1.1 million (approximately $1.37 million) profit in 2020, making it seem as though James’ fledgling party product was finally taking off.

Sadly, James’ marshmallow success was fairly short-lived, and by December 2021, the company was allegedly £2 million (approximately $2.49 million) in the red. Likely as a result of unmanageable debt, Boomf was reportedly sold to another online gifting company named Splento. Roman Grigoriev, chief executive of Splento, told the Daily Mail, “Of course the brand name will remain … Once we’ve eased into the business, we are planning loads of amazing things and growing the company way beyond what it was.” While the unusual business may not have stayed in the family, it remains surprising that James Middleton made a million dollars selling marshmallows.

Is Carole Middleton the British Kris Jenner?

As the Princess of Wales’s mother, Carole Middleton has regularly found herself in the spotlight, for both good and bad reasons. When the final episodes of the sixth and final season of “The Crown” hit Netflix in December 2023, viewers got to see a fictionalized version of Kate Middleton and Prince William’s initial romance. Carole’s alleged meddling in the couple’s relationship led to viewers comparing the future princess’s mother to Kardashian matriarch Kris Jenner. One X user wrote, “…they are portraying Carole Middleton as the Kris Jenner of England, managing Kate to help the family climb socially.” Another viewer wrote, “Kris Jenner works hard but Carole Middleton works harder.”

Before “The Crown” made royal fans think Carole Middleton is similar to the Kardashian’s famed mom-ager, author Tina Brown explored Carole’s influence in the book “The Palace Papers.” “It is unlikely Kate would be where she is today without her mother’s canny help in negotiating a royal romance,” Brown wrote. While it is unclear how much Carole actually intervened in her daughter’s relationship with the prince, the narrative in which she was the mastermind refuses to die. And thanks to the successes of son James Middleton and daughter Pippa Middleton, it is not hard to see why Carole often gets compared with reality TV icon Jenner.

The Middleton business failed, but the royals didn’t step in to help

Aside from being Kate Middleton’s mom, Carole Middleton was known as the face of Party Pieces, a birthday and celebration party supplies business that she founded in 1987. A successful brand for several decades, Carole discussed her children’s involvement in the business, telling Good Housekeeping, “Because they all grew up with me working, Party Pieces has been very much part of our lives.” However, the company ran into difficulties in 2023, when it was revealed that Party Pieces had accrued a sizeable amount of debt of £2.6 million (approximately $3.1 million) and that it would be filing for administration. The agent responsible for renting out the brand’s premises told the Daily Mail, “We were astonished about the amount of money owed to others.”

Despite having some very wealthy relatives within the royal family, the Middletons didn’t seek any financial aid from their daughter or her husband. In fact, royal expert Christopher Andersen told Us Weekly, “No one in the royal family is embarrassed by the failure of Party Pieces.” The author also noted that Carole and Michael’s personal wealth had remained intact, in spite of the huge bills their company owed. “Their business went belly-up because of things entirely out of their control, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t got substantial personal assets,” he explained. Still, some onlookers may have wondered why the deep-pocketed royals couldn’t step in and save Party Pieces when it faced financial trouble.

Pippa Middleton’s husband pursued her for a decade

Most of the details revealed about Pippa Middleton’s wedding to James Matthews hinted at a seriously chic, high-society affair. On May 20, 2017, Kate Middleton’s sister wed Matthews in a church ceremony, with the bride wearing an intricate lace gown designed by Giles Deacon. But before making it to their big day, Pippa and Matthews had endured quite the journey, which reportedly took place over the course of a decade.

The Mail on Sunday revealed that Matthews first met Pippa on vacation in St. Barts, but she was apparently much too young for him at the time. When they finally did get together, their relationship didn’t work out, and they both dated other people. Despite being an exceedingly eligible bachelor worth in excess of $2 billion, Matthews refused to settle for anyone other than the Princess of Wales’s sister. A friend allegedly told the publication, “You got the sense James was holding out for the one, and that was Pippa.” As another source told The Mail, “The truth was, the only girl he really wanted was Pippa. He always carried a torch for her.”

As luck would have it, Matthews and Pippa reportedly both found themselves single again in 2012. “After being in the background for at least 10 years he finally decided to pursue her and he told her she had to give him a second chance,” a source explained to the newspaper.

Queen Elizabeth II didn’t like Carole Middleton at first, sources claimed

Life within the British royal family isn’t always peachy, as evidenced by all of the troubling details about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal exit that have come to light. While Kate Middleton’s family has always seemed to fit in well with the royals, that wasn’t always the case, according to some reports. In April 2007, after Prince William reportedly dumped Kate in a shady way, The Guardian discussed the royal family’s apparent disdain for the future princess’s mother, Carole Middleton. Referencing an article in The Mail on Sunday, the publication quoted a source as saying, “The Queen was fond of Kate and liked her father, but let’s just say there was a feeling that Mrs. Middleton was not right or acceptable.” The same article alleged that the team at the palace reportedly made fun of Carole’s former occupation as a flight attendant.

While William and Kate’s breakup only lasted for a number of months, the rumors about there being ill feelings towards the princess’s family persisted. “There are some social mountains you just can’t scale,” a source told the publication. “You can’t become royal through sheer force of will.” Singling out Kate’s mother in particular, the source also alleged, “Carole’s approach is very aspirational,” suggesting that she didn’t necessarily fit in with the royal family very well at the start. Whether or not the queen warmed to Carole over the years remains unclear.

Kate’s brother has an uncanny resemblance to King George V

In August 2022, the royal family’s official Instagram account shared a carousel of photos featuring regal relatives with their beloved dogs. One of the photos showed King George V, Queen Elizabeth II’s grandfather, sweetly holding a pug, and royal fans had a lot to say about the picture. In particular, commenters noted how much Kate Middleton’s brother James looked like George V, even down to the fact that he also loves dogs. “Is it not uncanny, the likeness of King George V to the brother of Catherine, Princess of Wales?” one Instagram user asked in the comments. Another commenter wrote, “In photo 2 of King George V looks a lot like @jmidy … Is James the reincarnation of the King?”

As well as looking strangely similar to a member of the royal family, James has also proven his love of dogs by launching the dog food brand James & Ella, named after one of his pups. After Ella died, James paid tribute to her on Instagram, writing, “Through James & Ella, I’ll be carrying on the legacy of the most incredible dog I ever had the pleasure of caring for, as she cared for me.” Although James isn’t technically a member of the British royal family, he most certainly looks the part.

Pippa Middleton spent £7k on a ‘creepy’ keepsake for Prince George

As the aunt of the future king of England, Pippa Middleton likely felt the pressure while shopping for christening gifts for Prince George. Luckily, she reportedly found the perfect present in the form of Wrightson and Platt’s silver sculptures, which take molds from a baby’s hands and feet to keep forever, per the Daily Mail. The thoughtful gift apparently cost Kate Middleton’s sister £7,000 (approximately $8,700), but a royal family spokesperson refused to comment, telling the publication, “If such a gift exists it would be a private gift and not be something we would be aware of.”

Unfortunately for Pippa, not everyone thought the silver sculptures were a good choice. One person took to X to express their concern about the gift, writing, “Is it just me or are these a wee bit creepy.” In response to another post about the present, another commenter wrote, “that’s an awful gift for such a beautiful little cherub.” It has never been revealed whether or not Kate and Prince William liked the gift, or if they also thought it was “creepy.” But nevertheless, Pippa spent a lot of money to celebrate her nephew.

Kate Middleton’s dog helped pick Prince George’s name

It is not unusual for celebrity baby names to have hidden meanings, but that doesn’t seem to be the case for Kate Middleton and Prince William’s children. The couple’s first baby, Prince George, was born July 22, 2013, and the Prince and Princess of Wales found a unique way to choose his name. According to The Times, Kate and William relied on their dog Lupo, a black English cocker spaniel, to select the baby name at random. The publication alleged that the Prince and Princess of Wales wrote down all of the names they were considering on pieces of paper, which they put on the floor of their home. Luckily, Lupo picked the name George from the selection, and the rest is history.

Unfortunately, Lupo died in November 2020. William and Kate shared a tribute to the special pup on their official Instagram account, writing, “Very sadly last weekend our dear dog, Lupo, passed away. He has been at the heart of our family for the past nine years and we will miss him so much.” But if Lupo did, indeed, help select Prince George’s name, the dog will live on in history forever.

Kate Middleton’s uncle, Gary Goldsmith, is a reality TV star

There are a plethora of celebrity families that had reality shows, and it would appear as though the royal family also has its connections to the genre. Gary Goldsmith, who just so happens to be Carole Middleton’s brother and Kate Middleton’s uncle, surprised the world when he appeared on “Celebrity Big Brother” in the United Kingdom in 2024. After he was the first contestant to leave the competition, Goldsmith spoke to The Times and decided to make some disparaging remarks about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Referring to Meghan by an unusual nickname, Goldsmith told the publication, “Laughing Girl isn’t going to be around forever, is she? I think she’s fickle. And I think she’s so bad for Harry and for our country.”

During an interview with “Good Morning Britain” (via the Daily Mail) in March 2024, Goldsmith also opened up about how often he stays in contact with his royal relatives. “I haven’t spoke to Kate in ages,” he revealed. “In years, maybe a year. Weddings and funerals is when we see them.” Despite not being in regular contact with the Middletons, it seems that Goldsmith was able to cash in on his family tree by appearing on reality TV. How the royals really feel about his very public exploits remains to be seen.

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Kate Middleton Opens Up About Cancer’s Lasting Impact

The Princess of Wales has offered one of her most candid reflections yet on life after cancer treatment, speaking openly about the lasting physical and emotional impact of her health journey.

During a visit highlighted by HELLO!, Kate Middleton discussed the realities of recovery, explaining that the end of treatment does not necessarily mark a return to normal life. Instead, she suggested that the process of healing can continue long after medical interventions have concluded.

‘Cancer changes you in so many ways,’ the Princess said, offering a rare personal insight into the challenges faced by patients navigating life after treatment.

Her comments resonated with many cancer survivors who have spoken about the often-overlooked period between completing treatment and adapting to a new normal.

Recovery Can Be More Complex Than People Expect

Kate explained that while people may assume life quickly returns to normal after treatment ends, the reality can be very different.

‘You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment,’ she said. ‘Treatment’s done, then it’s like, ‘I can crack on, get back to normal,’ but actually [that’s not the case].’

The Princess described the adjustment period as a significant challenge, noting that patients are no longer under constant clinical supervision yet may still be dealing with the effects of illness and treatment.

The Emotional Toll Of Life After Treatment

In addition to the physical effects, Kate spoke about the emotional and psychological adjustments that can follow cancer treatment.

The Princess suggested that recovery is rarely a straightforward process and often involves navigating uncertainty while gradually rebuilding confidence and routine.

Health experts frequently note that cancer survivors may continue to experience fatigue, anxiety, emotional distress, and other long-term effects even after treatment has ended.

Kate’s comments align with experiences shared by many patients who describe recovery as a journey rather than a single milestone

Cancer Puts Life Into Perspective, Says Princess Kate

The Princess of Wales has offered one of her most candid reflections yet on life after cancer treatment, speaking openly about the lasting physical and emotional impact of her health journey.

‘Cancer changes you in so many ways,’ the Princess said, offering a rare personal insight into the challenges faced by patients navigating life after treatment.

Her comments resonated with many cancer survivors who have spoken about the often-overlooked period between completing treatment and adapting to a new normal.

Recovery Can Be More Complex Than People Expect

Kate explained that while people may assume life quickly returns to normal after treatment ends, the reality can be very different.

The Emotional Toll Of Life After Treatment

In addition to the physical effects, Kate spoke about the emotional and psychological adjustments that can follow cancer treatment.

The Princess suggested that recovery is rarely a straightforward process and often involves navigating uncertainty while gradually rebuilding confidence and routine.

Health experts frequently note that cancer survivors may continue to experience fatigue, anxiety, emotional distress, and other long-term effects even after treatment has ended.

Kate’s comments align with experiences shared by many patients who describe recovery as a journey rather than a single milestone.

Royal Family Set to Undo Harry and Meghan’s £2.4 Million Frogmore Renovations, Royal Insiders Claim

Cancer Puts Life Into Perspective, Says Princess Kate

The Princess of Wales expanded on the profound impact cancer can have on every aspect of a person’s life during a surprise visit to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester, where she met patients currently undergoing treatment and spoke openly about her own recovery journey.

Kate, 44, who announced earlier this year that she is in remission following treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, spent time with patients and carers at the hospital’s Oak Road Treatment Centre. Throughout the visit, she reflected on how a cancer diagnosis can reshape priorities and alter a person’s outlook long after treatment has ended.

During one conversation, a patient explained the crucial role his wife had played throughout his illness, telling the Princess that he ‘couldn’t have done it without the support of my wife.’

Kate responded by acknowledging the often-overlooked impact on family members and carers.

‘I was just saying, it’s hard for the loved ones,’ she said.

The Princess went on to discuss the physical and emotional changes that accompany a cancer diagnosis and recovery, explaining how the experience can fundamentally alter a person’s relationship with themselves and the world around them.

‘You need to support yourself alongside all the things you can’t control. Your body changes so much, not just physically, emotionally, but the deeper side of ourselves.

‘It puts so much in perspective and you hold onto what’s important.’

The Christie, one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, provides care for more than 60,000 patients each year and serves approximately 3.2 million people across Greater Manchester and surrounding regions. The facility also offers a range of complementary services for patients and carers, including therapies designed to help manage stress, anxiety, and other emotional challenges often associated with cancer treatment.

Later in the visit, Kate met former patient Neil Neaverson, who described how acupuncture had supported his recovery and wellbeing following treatment. The discussion prompted the Princess to reflect on the importance of personalised support and the different ways patients navigate life after a diagnosis.

‘Cancer diagnosis is deeply personal, being able to tailor it to the patient’s needs is fantastic and allows you to live a happy, healthy life beyond treatment and diagnosis. Cancer changes you in so many ways, emotionally and physiologically, too. It changes you in mind, body, and spirit.’

The conversation continued in the hospital’s art room, where the Princess met resident artist Patricia Mountford and joined a creative session with patients. Speaking about the role creativity can play during recovery, Kate highlighted the value of self-expression as individuals process the changes brought about by serious illness.

‘Finding ways, whatever they may be, to explore the change that cancer diagnosis brings and how that deeply personal journey.

‘Trying to understand that deep sense of self, creativity is such a wonderful way to explore that. Everyone’s cancer journey is so deeply personal.’

The remarks offered one of the clearest insights yet into Kate’s own experience with cancer and recovery, reinforcing her message that healing extends far beyond medical treatment and often involves emotional, psychological, and personal growth long after a patient leaves hospital care behind.

Continuing A Gradual Return To Public Duties

Kate has steadily increased her public engagements following her treatment while maintaining a measured approach to her return to official duties.

Her latest comments offer a reminder that recovery is an ongoing process, even for those whose treatment has formally ended.

By sharing her experiences, the Princess of Wales has contributed to a broader conversation about survivorship, resilience and the realities of living beyond cancer.

For many patients and families, her message was both simple and powerful: recovery does not end when treatment stops, and adapting to life afterwards can be one of the most challenging parts of the journey.

IBT

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Kate’s Italy preschool visit links to George, Charlotte and Louis

Kate Middleton found herself in an environment that would likely feel very familiar to Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis during the second day of her Italy visit.

The Princess of Wales, 44, spent the morning outdoors with preschoolers at Salvador Allende preschool in Reggio Emilia on Thursday, May 14, joining children for hands-on learning activities rooted in nature and play — the kind of adventurous, outdoor-focused environment she and Prince William have long encouraged for their own kids at home.

The outing is closely aligned with the princess’ long-running focus on early childhood development and the importance of children’s environments in shaping emotional well-being and learning.

Princess Kate has undertaken similar outings before, joining an outdoor lesson in England with William in 2023 and visiting a “Forest Kindergarten” during her 2022 visit to Denmark.

In photos taken during the outing on Thursday, Kate — wearing a blazer from Blazé Milano and a bracelet from Milan-based jewelry brand Atelier Molayem — could be seen laghing and

Kate has long been a proponent of children spending more time outdoors to promote their well-being. It’s also a role she takes seriously at home, where she gets her three kids outdoors, whether rain or shine. “Even a short amount of time — 10 to 15 minutes outside — makes a huge difference to both physical well-being but also to our mental well-being,” she said in a 2019 interview on CBBC’s Blue Peter.

The Princess of Wales’ solo trip to Italy marks her first work trip overseas since announcing her cancer diagnosis in 2024. She spent much of that year out of the public eye amid her treatment and recovery, and she returned to a fuller schedule of duties after announcing she was in remission in early 2025.

Princess Kate’s two-day visit to Reggio Emilia is seen as a fact-finding mission, and she will spend time digging into their internationally recognized approach to early childhood education. Seeing it as a “significant next step” for her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, Kate is spending time with educators, parents, children and civic and business leaders to see the work in action, according to her office at Kensington Palace.

“The Princess is very much looking forward to visiting Italy next week and seeing first-hand how the Reggio Emilia approach creates environments where nature and loving human relationships come together to support children’s development,” her spokesperson said in a statement ahead of the trip.

Her first day in Italy included a welcome from the mayor of Reggio Emilia in the town square, where hundreds of people lined up for a chance to catch a glimpse of the royal. Princess Kate was greeted with cheers of her name, signs and more — and she even spoke Italian with some of the children gathered.

The warm welcome was followed by a meeting with educators about their approach to early childhood development and a visit to Scuola Comunale d’infanzia Anna Frank, a preschool for children aged 3 to 6, to see the Reggio Emilia Approach in practice. There, she was bombarded with hugs and high fives from the young students.

Princess Kate launched The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood in 2021, bringing together research, collaboration and action to drive change in how society prioritizes the first years of a person’s life. The Shaping Us campaign, launched in January 2023, focuses on the vital impact of the first five years of life on adult development.

PEOPLE

Royals

King Charles and Queen Camilla meet Trump

King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived at the White House on Monday for a state visit in Washington, a city still rattled by a weekend shooting and a transatlantic alliance showing fresh signs of strain.

British flags could be seen lining lamp-posts outside the White House, where Donald Trump and the first lady, Melania Trump, greeted Charles and Camilla with handshakes. The four appeared to exchange pleasantries and posed for several photographs before heading inside the White House for a private tea.

The president and first lady then took the royals on a tour of the newly expanded White House beehive on the south lawn.

Charles and Camilla then went to a garden party at the British embassy in Washington, joining Trump administration officials such as treasury secretary Scott Bessent, commerce secretary Howard Lutnick, and Medicare and Medicaid administrator Mehmet Oz as waiters served sandwiches that included Scottish smoked salmon and roasted British beef with horseradish.

An eager crowd gathered around the king as he moved slowly through the expansive gardens. The guests also included House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Washington DC mayor Muriel Bowser, pollster and strategist Kellyanne Conway, Republican senators Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham, Republican congressman Michael McCaul, and former Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin. The convivial atmosphere in warm sunshine gave no hint of a bilateral relationship in crisis.

The four-day tour, intended to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence, begins against the backdrop of a diplomatic rift over Trump’s war in Iran and a dramatic security scare at last Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.

A gunman opened fire inside the Washington Hilton hotel, prompting Secret Service agents to rush the president from the dais. Officials believe the president and members of his administration were the likely targets and the incident prompted an urgent review of security arrangements before the king’s arrival.

For Charles, the posture will be “keep calm and carry on”. Buckingham Palace said the visit would proceed after consultations with US authorities. A spokesperson said: “The King and Queen are most grateful to all those who have worked at pace to ensure this remains the case.”

On Tuesday, the king will speak at a packed state dinner in the White House East Room and give a rare address to the US Congress.

The king is set to tell Congress that while the UK and US have not always agreed on everything, the nations’ shared traditions, including “democratic, legal and social traditions” mean that “time and again, our two countries have always found ways to come together”.

The monarch’s remarks will be seen as a tacit acknowledgment of the recent transatlantic strains.

Charles is also expected to make brief reference to the weekend shooting and offer “the highest regard and friendship of the British people to the people of the United States” on the 250th anniversary of American independence.

It is only the second time a British monarch has addressed a joint meeting of Congress, the first being the Queen Elizabeth in 1991.

Charles will then travel to New York to visit the September 11 memorial, alongside the New York mayor and rising political star Zohran Mamdani, before concluding in Virginia, where he will meet conservation groups, reflecting a cause he has championed for more than half a century.

Some British politicians worry that the king’s soft power mission is fraught with opportunities for embarrassment, with Trump’s recent attacks on Pope Leo XIV intensifying the concerns.

Relations between the two allies have been bruised by Trump’s public criticism of Britain’s refusal to back military action against Iran. In recent weeks the president has derided the prime minister, Keir Starmer, as “no Winston Churchill”, while leaked Pentagon discussions about revisiting US support for British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands have deepened unease.

Yet Trump, who places an unusual emphasis on the diplomatic role of monarchs in Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Middle East, has carefully separated his admiration for the king from his frustrations with the government. He has repeatedly described Charles as “a great man” and “a friend”, and suggested the royal couple’s presence could help steady relations between the two countries.

Christian Turner, the British ambassador to the US, told CBS’s Face the Nation programme on Sunday: “We had a small difference of opinion in 1776. We’ve been through that. We’ve come a very long way and that, in a way, for me, is what is so enduring about these relationships. It’s that we’ve had differences. Thatcher to Reagan, Roosevelt with Churchill, actually, over how to handle Stalin. These are moments in the relationship that actually it endured because it is so deep on security.”

However, the continuing scandal surrounding the king’s younger brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and his links to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, have again surfaced ahead of the tour.

Ro Khanna, a Democratic congressman, is convening Epstein survivors on Capitol Hill on Tuesday and urging the king to meet them. He said: “The British people have actually been very strong on this Epstein matter, demanding accountability and justice – stronger than the American government in terms of taking action. So the king doesn’t have to get into any details of his brother’s case but it’s just standing with survivors and calling for accountability around the world.”

The British journalist Emily Maitlis said on the News Agents podcast she had been told that, until two weeks ago, Queen Camilla was “very keen” to meet victims of Epstein alongside Melania Trump. Maitlis added: “She said, ‘I’ve spent my life fighting for women’s voices, I’ve spent my life fighting for victims, we will find a way to do it.’”

But palace officials have made clear there will be no meetings with Epstein survivors during the trip, citing legal concerns over ongoing investigations in the US and Britain.

Charles has visited the US 19 times but this is his first state visit to the country since becoming king in 2022. His mother made four state visits to the country. The Guardian