The Princess of Wales often sends subtle messages through her outfits and Carole Middleton is surely well aware of how fashion can tell a story. I'd imagine she puts just as much thought into what she wears for big occasions so her dress on Day 3 of Royal Ascot caught my attention.

She and her husband Michael enjoyed a day at the races together and Carole wore a knee-length peppermint-green coat and dress by Kate's go-to designer Catherine Walker. It featured neat lapels and darts running down the jacket to give it extra shaping and volume.

The colour is perfect for a summer capsule wardrobe and Carole Middleton has owned it for years. It's actually the same dress she wore to Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding in May 2018 and it seems to be the first time she's been seen in it since then.

Recreate Carole's Ascot Look

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There's no way that Carole didn't think this connection would be spotted given the amount of press coverage Royal Ascot always gets. She still wore the green two-piece and many people might be surprised to see this throwback link to the Sussexes.

Prince Harry has been very open about wanting to reconcile with the Royal Family, however it's thought that he and Prince William haven't seen each other since 2024. As she's the Princess of Wales's mum, it's natural to see Carole as being aligned with the Waleses instead of Harry and Meghan.

However, the Duke and Duchess's wedding day was a joyful occasion, years before they stepped back as working royals. Perhaps wearing this same coat and dress is a way for Carole to nod back to these happier times and mint green is often associated with tranquillity and healing.

There could also be a much simpler explanation for her choice. How many times does someone get to re-wear something as luxurious and formal as a jacket and dress set? It's not like Carole is a royal herself, so she might not have many opportunities to enjoy this design compared to Kate who goes to a lot of big events.

On Day 2 of Ascot she stepped out in the pink Catherine Walker Mother of the Bride coat dress she wore to Pippa Middleton's wedding in 2017. Wedding re-wears are sensible if she doesn't want these pieces to stay in storage at home.

I think the Princess of Wales's mum probably has a big collection of wedding outfits, though, so she could still have picked others over the mint green one. Maybe this suggests that Carole chose her style for both practical and meaningful reasons.

The colour of her jacket and matching dress is also beautiful for the heatwave, bringing to mind refreshing mint ice cream. This shade of green works well with white and cream for contrast and you can also lean into the pastels and pair it with blush or lilac.

At Ascot we saw Carole Middleton styling her co-ord with neutral accessories, all from British clothing brands. Her raffia top handle bag and suede slingbacks from Emmy London added texture to the look and she also wore a wide-brimmed cream Catherine Walker hat with a mint green flower decoration.

The Princess of Wales and her mother Carole Middleton both put their best fashion foot forward as they attended 2026 Royal Ascot's second day. This was a big moment for Kate, who hasn't been to the races since 2023, and she travelled with Prince William in the carriage procession.

Even from a distance, her outfit was instantly recognisable as she re-wore her zesty citrus-yellow Roksanda dress. This vibrant ensemble couldn't have been more different from Carole's Ascot outfit, which was the most delicate blush-pink colour.

However, mother and daughter have a similar timeless approach to styling. Carole and Kate used the same clever tricks to enhance the elegance of their outfits and these are worth recreating with your summer capsule wardrobe staples.

Recreate Kate And Carole's Outfits

The Princess of Wales has worn her bright yellow midi dress several times before, including to Wimbledon in 2022. It has a distinctive bow detail on one shoulder that adds a feminine flourish and subtle gathering on the bodice. Aside from this it's very timeless and has a fitted bodice, short sleeves and long, flowy skirt.

"The Princess of Wales picked the perfect colour for people to pick her out," says woman&home's Fashion Ecommerce Editor Caroline Parr. "Even though it's a dress she's worn several times before, this yellow shade feels like an unexpected colour and she perfectly offset it with a matching hat and neutral accessories. We've all been loving butter yellow for a while, but we'll be leaning into bolder hues from now on."

The future Queen wore a matching yellow hat with netting decoration on the top. Carole also wore a bold hat that matched her dress, which was the same collared design she'd worn previously to Pippa Middleton's wedding.

Both women love getting maximum use out of their favourite frocks, switching up the accessories each time to make them feel refreshed. This is something we could probably all do more often to get wear out of our summer wedding guest dresses.

The high level of coordination is also classic Carole and Kate. It's such a simple tip to follow and makes a lot of difference. Every single part of Carole Middleton's outfit was the same shade of pink, right down to her Emmy London block heel slingbacks and her top handle bag.

The Princess did a pared-back amount of colour matching with her hat and dress and her accessories were neutral. Kate carried an Anya Hindmarch white satin clutch and wore her trusty beige suede Gianvito Rossi heels.

When you're styling a bold colour like yellow, I think it's easiest to go more minimal with the rest of your look. Perhaps introducing some tiny accents of yellow on your bag or even through your jewellery would be enough.

With a more delicate colour like blush you can embrace this approach bit more, like Carole did. Matching shades makes every part of your outfit feel intentionally chosen and this creates a sophisticated, polished feel even if the actual items are quite casual.

Both women also opted for suede heels and the soft texture complements summer dresses a bit better than smooth leather which can look a bit stark and severe next to pretty florals and floaty fabrics. Suede sandals, trainers or ballet flats would work just as well if you're not a fan of heels.

The Princess of Wales's upbringing was very different from Prince William's and their marriage blended these two approaches, drawing the Middletons into the royals' inner circle for the first time. Kate has remained incredibly close to them all and she just chose this year's Order of the Garter service to re-wear a very sentimental piece of jewellery linked to her parents.

Arriving at St George's Chapel ahead of the Orders' procession, the Princess of Wales wore a buttermilk coloured coat dress by Patrick McDowell with her wedding earrings. They're more subtle than a lot of the 2026 jewellery trends and were commissioned as a wedding gift by Carole and Michael Middleton and are white gold set with diamonds.

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The custom design of these delicate drop earrings ties them even more closely to the family, as they're inspired by the Middletons' Coat of Arms. The top portion is the shape of an oak leaf and there is a tiny acorn suspended in the middle of each earring too.

West Berkshire where Kate grew up is surrounded by oak trees and this is why they feature in the Middleton Coat of Arms. There are three on there - one to represent each of Michael and Carole's children - and when the details were announced back in 2011 the Royal Family also noted that oak trees are a symbol of 'strength' and 'England'.

The acorns are accompanied by a gold chevron representing Carole, whose maiden name was Goldsmith, and two thinner chevrons for mountains and hills since the family loves getting outside together. The level of meaning in each detail is astonishing and Carole and Michael carried this across in the design for Kate's wedding earrings.

Whenever and wherever she wears them now they'll remind her of her parents, her siblings and her happy childhood in Berkshire. They also have the romantic link to her wedding day and Prince William, who joined her family as much as she joined his.

The Prince of Wales is in the Order of the Garter so he is involved in the procession each year whilst his proud wife watches. It's a big day for him and the future Queen was clearly feeling quite sentimental when she was planning her outfit for the service.

The oak leaf symbolising England and strength also makes sense, as the Order of the Garter is the oldest chivalric order in Britain and the Patron of the Order is St George, the Patron Saint of England. Since her wedding day, the Princess of Wales has only re-worn her earrings in public four times and two of these were Order of the Garter services.

In 2016 she went for head-to-toe fun scarlet and this year's ensemble is more understated. Kate's coat dress had a smart lapel collar and a single-breasted silhouette with covered buttons running down the front. She added a boater hat and Gianvito Rossi pumps with a suede clutch.

Neutrals are a clever choice if you're struggling to find a summer wedding guest dress or other formal looks, as these shades go with everything and versatility is even more important as occasionwear is often more expensive. The Princess of Wales is clearly loving soft beige and blush tones right now so I'd expect to see more of these kinds of outfits before the summer events season comes to an end.

If we thought heatwave dressing was a struggle we're now having to find outfits that work for warm weather and rain. This combination isn't easy so having great layering pieces is key and Carole Middleton's go-to summer jacket has to be a white blazer.

We've seen her wear them so many times over the years and Carole's collection includes various different styles and cuts. Her most recently seen one was the single-breasted ME+EM design from Wimbledon 2024. This cropped piece had contrasting black buttons and a notched lapel collar, and she wore it over a floral frock.

Tailored blazers instantly bring structure to an outfit, which is why they work so well with flowy summer wedding guest dresses as well as with casual pieces.

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They have a smart feel that takes everything else up a notch, so you can lean into this for formal occasions or use this to dress up jeans and slouchy linen trousers. Carole Middleton's signature style tends to be more on the smart side and she usually wears her white blazers with frocks, though she's also styled one with a statement black and white top and trouser set in 2017.

The beauty of a white blazer is that they go with everything and this makes them a versatile option when you're building a capsule wardrobe. Black blazers are equally useful but they can look a bit too stark against summer ensembles.

A tailored blazer is also very timeless and isn't too heavy to wear in warmer weather whilst giving you enough coverage if it's raining.

In 2013 Carole and her daughter Pippa went to watch the tennis at Queen's Club and were pictured sheltering under an umbrella wearing a white blazer with a vibrant pattern on the sleeves. One thing to consider when shopping for blazers is the length.

The Princess of Wales's mum typically picks longline or cropped designs and this is a clever move. Longer jackets give a leg-elongating effect and shorter ones accentuate the waist. Both also pair well with trousers, jeans and skirts, whilst a blazer that falls to mid-length can cut off your frame at a tricky point and doesn't flow with your midi or high-waisted pieces.

Apart from when Carole stepped out in the patterned co-ord, she usually keeps her white blazers unfastened for a slightly more off-duty feel. This approach also gives more of a glimpse of her outfit underneath and she loves breathable fabrics like cotton.

Linen blazers are also stunning, though because this material creases easily, they're better to go for if you like less structure and more of a relaxed look. Carole Middleton has yet to be spotted out at an event so far this spring/summer, though with Royal Ascot coming up from 16th-20th June it's likely we could see her here.

So far the weather has usually been pretty warm when she's attending, so a jacket hasn't really been necessary but I wouldn't put it past her to bring out her go-to white blazer if it's cooler.

The Middleton family were thrust into the spotlight when the Prince and Princess of Wales’s romance was confirmed, but things were taken to another level with their wedding in April 2011. Suddenly, Michael and Carole were the parents of the future Queen and Kate and William said, "I do" in the grand surroundings of Westminster Abbey, watched by millions.

It was a huge moment and Carole arrived and went inside alone whilst her husband walked down the aisle with Kate. Her entrance has been praised by royal historian Hugo Vickers, who remarked, "On the day Carole Middleton, the bride’s mother, stepped out of the car, gave a discreet wave to the media and went straight in."

Writing in his new biography, Queen Elizabeth II, he declared "she judged that to perfection" and went on to suggest that despite appearing totally serene, Carole had actually been nervous.

"She told the Dean of Westminster she had often heard that when you are really nervous your knees knock together," Hugo recalled. "She had not realised it actually happened."

Given how many people had lined the streets and were waiting outside the Abbey, the experience of arriving solo would've probably been daunting for anyone let alone the mother of the bride. Carole’s small wave to the crowd was the perfect response, as Hugo remarked.

She acknowledged the crowd and the fact the wedding was a national as well as a family occasion, but didn’t make a big thing of it or put too much focus on herself. This was important for the mum-of-three when they were planning the wedding as well.

In a 2018 interview, the Princess of Wales’s mother said she was "involved lots" with both Kate and her sister Pippa’s weddings. They "talked about music…everything" and paying attention to what they really wanted was key.

Carole continued, "I think the most important thing, as a parent, is to listen to what your daughter wants. You can have all the ideas in the world, but it has to be about them. And don’t muscle in on the guest list.’

The guest list for the Waleses’ wedding was already pretty long, so Kate and William probably really appreciated this! Over a thousand people attended and this might have been another factor in Carole maybe being a little nervous.

"Like every mother, I wanted to look my best, make my children proud and enjoy the day. I honestly don’t think I was any more stressed than any other mother of the bride," she said.

As royal weddings go, the Prince and Princess of Wales’s big day was quite modern. Details were published on X (formerly Twitter) and Kate is said to have "surprised" courtiers when she chose to travel by car and not the horse-drawn Glass Coach.

She was apparently "of the view" that she "was not yet a ‘princess’ who would use such a mode of transport", claimed Russell Myers in his biography, William & Catherine. Instead, she and Michael arrived in a black 1977 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI which had been gifted by the manufacturer to Queen Elizabeth in honour of her Silver Jubilee.

It was a family affair for the Middleton family over Easter weekend, but James Middleton’s plans looked a lot different to his older sister’s.

Princess Catherine joined the Royal Family’s annual Easter Sunday service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor for the first time since 2023, joined by her family - including Prince Louis who stole the spotlight after a sweet moment with King Charles - and several senior royals including Princess Anne and Prince Edward.

James appeared to have a much quieter get together, sharing a heart-warming selection of photos, including one of his mother, Carole Middleton, reading to his two-year-old son, Inigo, who was sat engrossed in the tale on her lap.

The adorable picture of Carole with the youngest of her seven grandchildren was preceded by a series of rural snaps of Inigo living a true country lifestyle.

In the series of photos, the youngster, while kitted out in dungarees, is surrounded by dogs, gets up close with some ponies, and cycles down a country road being accompanied by his mum, Alizée Thévenet.

A love of all things nature and a kinship with dogs is something of a Middleton trait. James has been vocal about how his former dog, Ella, helped him throughout his battle with depression.

Ella was the mother of Lupo, William and Kate's former cocker spaniel who was presented to the couple as a wedding present from James. Lupo passed away in 2020, but the Wales's have another cocker spaniel, Orla, and a new puppy that was confirmed by Kate during an engagement in early 2026

Touchingly, while his older sister Kate was busy with the royals, there was a nod to her in James's pictures.

It’s been suggested over the years that the Princess has been a fan of Beatrix Potter and made her characters a part of her children’s upbringing. It was reported that Prince George's nursery had Beatrix Potter characters featured throughout, and his first birthday apparently had a Beatrix Potter theme.

Later, in 2025, during her work with the V&A East Storehouse on a personally curated collection of objects to celebrate its launch, Kate handpicked 10 items - among them items was a watercolour of a forest painted by Beatrix Potter.

As well as offering a glimpse into the idyllic countryside Easter he spent with his family, James’s post offered a poignant message for a modern audience.

He captioned the post, “We are back. Many of you have been asking if I am ok. I have been absent from social media for a while. The truth is, this Lent I decided to give up social media (and it was wonderful).

“Sometimes we don't fully realise the pressure social media puts on us until we take a step back.

“If I could offer one piece of advice for 2026, it would be to try it yourself; a week, a month, or even longer.

“Anyhow… we're back! Alizée, Inigo, the dogs, and I are wishing you all a very Happy Easter and thank you for checking in on me.”

Carole Middleton’s signature style is the epitome of elegance and we’re now coming into the time of year when she makes a lot more appearances. Over the years I've come to notice that there are certain staples she relies on more than any other.

If you’re unsure what pieces to add to your spring capsule wardrobe right now that’ll also be useful for summer, you need look no further for inspiration than Carole. She doesn’t focus on trends and her five must-have items for the season will never go out of fashion and - just as importantly - can be mixed and matched with each other.

The Princess of Wales’s mother shares her love of wedges and these are a non-negotiable part of Carole’s spring/summer footwear collection. She owns plenty of pairs, some with lace-up straps and some with ankle straps, but they tend to have the classic jute sole.

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Something about the natural woven material just instantly adds a relaxed, summery feel to an outfit without being as casual as, say, white trainers. Carole Middleton gravitates towards soft beige or white wedges which are so subtle that they’d work with pretty much any outfit colour.

For events in the spring and summer months, wedges are also a practical option. They give elevation but are more stable and less delicate than stilettos - especially if you’re outside and walking on grass.

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Carole’s love for wedges goes hand-in-hand with her love for floral dresses and it’s hard to think of a more beautiful combination for the season. Midi-length designs like hers are elegant and work for plenty of different occasions. For Ascot, the Princess of Wales’s mother tends to go for pastel tones, opting for sky blue floral dress in 2024.

At Wimbledon she has gone bolder with her choice of floral prints, though one thing most of her floral dresses have in common is their sleeve length. Long sleeves that can be rolled up slightly are her preference and this style is perfect for spring weather and practical when you want your arms and shoulders covered in the summer sun.

Short-sleeved floral frocks are also stunning and if you’re never quite sure how to style patterns, I’d recommend trying one of Carole’s two approaches. She either ties in the rest of her look with one of the colours in the print or goes completely neutral with her jackets and accessories.

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Monochrome dressing is a big spring/summer trend for 2026 and it ties in wonderfully with the Princess of Wales’ mum’s go-to seasonal jackets. She switches up the exact styles but always tends to go for white jackets, from denim to blazers. Like with so many of Carole’s capsule wardrobe favourites, they’re easy to get a lot of wear out of.

White jackets can be thrown on with almost anything and you can be confident they’ll work. The only need you need to consider is how smart or casual you want to dress, as a tailored blazer or collarless jacket naturally has a sleek, formal edge compared to denim.

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It’ll come as no surprise that Carole also likes to keep things neutral when it comes to handbags too. Unless she’s going all-out in a bright outfit like she did with electric blue at King Charles’s coronation, her bags are usually pinky-beige, white or plain raffia.

This means they never pull focus away from her ensemble and she isn’t at all restricted about which looks she can wear each bag with. Top handles, crossbodies and clutches are her favourite shapes and although her beloved Jaeger quilted bag is quite dainty, otherwise her most-worn spring/summer bags are pretty roomy.

I’d recommend choosing something big enough for all your essentials that isn’t going to be too bulky if you’re out all day or at a smarter event. That way you’ll still look very sophisticated and can bring all the things you need with you without hauling a tote bag around.

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The fifth item Carole Middleton wouldn’t be without this season is a classic shirt dress. Whether it’s the candy-pink one she and Kate both own, to the striped style she wore to Wimbledon last year, or even the green speckled one from 2015 at the tennis, she has plenty to choose from.

Anything with a collar naturally has a smarter feel and so a shirt dress is a great option for events that call for something on the elevated side. However, jersey, linen or cotton frocks are more relaxed and you can also undo as many buttons as you like to lean into this, rather than keeping the collar neatly fastened as Carole often does.

If you’re going for a collared dress, though, a jacket with a collar will work the best over the top as the two necklines can be layered over each other. Save the collarless jackets for a crew, v, or round-neck frock instead!

The Prince and Princess of Wales will be celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary next month and everyone knows the story of how they first met. However, Kate was initially set to attend Edinburgh University and not St Andrews, so her and William’s romance nearly never happened.

According to royal expert and author Russell Myers, Carole Middleton and her husband Michael were apparently totally "against" Kate changing her mind. Writing in William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, he suggested that the Middleton matriarch was especially concerned when she first heard about Kate’s plan.

"At first, Carole and Michael were dead set against the idea, with Carole in particular worried about her daughter losing academic momentum," he claims, explaining that it was the Princess’s reasoning that eventually won her mum and dad round.

Myers states, "But after listening to Catherine explain that she believed she would be suited to the quieter surroundings of St Andrews rather than the city life that Edinburgh would provide, they agreed to her decision."

Carole and Michael’s apprehension might have been partly down to how unexpected it was. She returned from ten weeks volunteering in Chile during her gap year with this new idea "to present to her parents".

The author notes that the timing later resulted in "accusations that she changed her mind about Edinburgh because she wanted to follow the dashing young Prince William to St Andrews".

This reportedly wasn’t the case at all, with Myers suggesting that the Princess was inspired to consider St Andrews after bonding with an 18-year-old from Somerset whilst in South America.

This girl was apparently set to study engineering there and so Kate "decided to explore the option" of changing her own course. Having eased her parents’ uncertainty, the Princess of Wales went to St Andrews where she studied art history and became friends with the future King.

They were initially even on the same course before he later switched to geography. From the sounds of it, if Kate hadn’t done such an excellent job of explaining why she wanted to switch universities, her parents could potentially have tried to persuade her to stick with Edinburgh.

In that case, there would have been no meeting William, so it just goes to show that the smallest of changes can have a staggering impact on our lives.

The entire Middleton family is incredibly close and they’ve whole-heartedly embraced Prince William as part of it. In the couple’s engagement interview in 2010, the Prince of Wales talked about how well he gets on with his in-laws.

"Kate's got a very, very close family. I get on really well with them and I'm very lucky that they've been so supportive," he said. "Mike and Carole have been really loving and caring and really fun and have been really welcoming towards me so I've felt really a part of the family."

In turn, they’ve been at so many big royal occasions such as the coronation and it’s been reported that Prince William really wanted them to be properly included in this event.

Carole Middleton making her Cheltenham Festival debut on 11th March was exciting enough, but we were then treated to a royal reunion that will surely make you smile. The Princess of Wales is famously not an avid racing fan, so Carole didn’t enjoy Ladies Day with her daughter. Instead, she was pictured having a brilliant time with Zara and Mike Tindall and Princess Anne.

This new Cheltenham "Fab Four" aren’t a group you’d usually see together and so seeing their interactions was especially interesting - and a joy to witness. Carole was spotted arriving with the Tindalls and laughing and joking with Zara, before later joining them, Anne and Queen Camilla in the Royal Box to watch the races.

At one point, she even affectionately put her arm around Princess Anne - just a few weeks after her hilarious moment at the rugby involving a hug.

It’s clear that Carole Middleton was more than comfortable in this regal company and, more than that, enjoys a relationship with these royals that we’ve never really got to glimpse or appreciate before.

Carole and her husband Michael have understandably met King Charles and Queen Camilla plenty of times - they do after all share grandchildren. They couple have been at plenty of occasions where the whole family was there, from the coronation to Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, and yet we never usually see them standing near Zara, Mike or Princess Anne.

The warmth between them at Cheltenham shows that the extended Royal Family have embraced Kate’s family with open arms and forged their own bonds with her parents. This was reportedly exactly what Prince William always wanted and had asked Queen Elizabeth to help with.

"The Queen knew how close not only Kate but William was to the Middletons and how important it was to keep them close and make them feel included," royal expert Katie Nicholl previously claimed. "William wanted them to be a part of the family and wanted the Queen to make them feel very welcomed."

The Prince of Wales is also said to have made a "direct request" for his wife’s family to be included in King Charles’s coronation. In his biography King Charles III: New King, New Court, The Inside Story, Robert Hardman quoted a source, who alleged that "having all of them there was very important to him".

Carole, Michael and Kate’s siblings James and Pippa were all at the coronation ceremony and they are surely going to be included in even more events in the future when Prince William and Prince George become monarchs.

His hopes that they would be "part of the family" have paid off already by the looks of it and the rest of the royals have followed the late Queen’s example.

To have the kinds of bonds we saw between Carole, Princess Anne, Zara and Mike at Cheltenham, it’s likely they spend time together behind the scenes, perhaps at events hosted by the Waleses. Thankfully for fans there will also likely be a few more instances where at the very least Carole and Zara cross paths again in public.

Royal Ascot is coming up in June and Zara Tindall and Carole Middleton have both attended that regularly in the past. This could mean we get to see even more brilliant moments between the royal women that showcase their friendship.

I fully expect Zara Tindall to attend Cheltenham Festival every single day again this year, but seeing Carole Middleton joining her on Day 2 took me totally by surprise. She’s partial to a day at the races and she’s stepped out at Ascot multiple times before, though this marked Carole’s Cheltenham debut and she made it in serious style.

The Princess of Wales’s mum steered away from the brights and pastels that are this year’s spring/summer fashion colour trends and dressed in head-to-toe navy and brown. This is such a classic colour combination and meant each individual piece would be so simple to re-style.

Carole’s coat has been in her collection since at least 2017 and although this British clothing brand no longer makes the exact design, it still sells very similar ones. Single-breasted, with long sleeves and a collared neckline, it’s smart yet streamlined.

Recreate Carole's Look

I personally love double-breasted coats and blazers, though they can be bulkier and as we head into warmer weather it’s nice to switch things up. The Middleton matriarch’s coat had a structured shape which made it feel elevated and it could be thrown on with casual items like jeans and jumpers to dress them up slightly.

For her first appearance at Cheltenham Carole went for something more sophisticated and added a faux fur scarf for cosiness and glamour. Her knee-high chocolate brown boots had chic block heels and she carried not one, but two bags.

Hermes Birkins are the pinnacle if you love designer handbags and it’s fitting for the mother of the future Queen that Carole’s was especially luxurious. It was a deep brown with gold hardware and a textured ostrich finish and she was pictured carrying it by the top handle as she arrived at the racecourse.

At other points throughout the day she also had a brown suede Emmy London Natasha clutch which was daintier and would also have fitted inside her bigger bag. These two accessories are incredibly high-end, though the principle of matching your bags to your shoes - or even having a bigger and smaller bag with you - is clever.

Carole Middleton frequently uses colour coordination to give her ensembles a put-together, polished edge and it’s so easy to do. Even her Hicks & Brown Suffolk hat tied in with its navy base colour and the brown mottled feather band running around it.

Eagle-eyed fans might recognise this headpiece as the Princess of Wales has worn the same design before.

In January 2020 she attended church near Sandringham House with this same hat on and although we can’t know for sure whether she and Carole both bought one (they have similar fashion tastes after all) it’s always possible she borrowed it from Kate.

Either way, it’s a final flourish that tied everything together, incorporating both brown and navy and exemplifying the countryside chic style. These two colours are neutral and yet softer than black, so they work well for spring when you want to brighten up your outfits.

Carole Middleton’s look complemented the other royals who were there on Day 2 of Cheltenham too, including Zara Tindall, Mike Tindall and Princess Anne.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have brought the monarchy into the modern age when it comes to parenting. Their hands-on approach sees them clear their diaries as much as possible during school holidays and doing drop-offs and pick-ups. However, Carole and Michael Middleton also play a "crucial" part in their lives.

Writing in his newly-published biography, William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, royal editor Russell Myers claims that the "presence" of Kate’s parents has made a huge difference, particularly when the kids were very young.

"The Middleton family, who had become a constant presence in their lives, were crucial to this. William appreciated their involvement beyond measure, enjoying their company and the normalcy of the environment, whatever the circumstance," he wrote.

According to Myers, the Prince of Wales once told an aide that having his parents-in-law there meant they had "more room to breathe". Reflecting on what things were like when Prince George, Charlotte and Louis were younger, the author adds, "Michael and Carole enjoyed visiting the couple in Norfolk and would often stay for weekends, providing much-needed extra support for the young family."

Nowadays the Middletons live far closer to Prince William and Kate, who’ve lived in Berkshire since late 2022. Their new home, Forest Lodge, is still on the Windsor Castle estate and under an hour’s drive away from Carole and Michael in Bucklebury.

The family Kate grew up in couldn’t be more different from Prince William’s and he’s said to love the "normalcy" they bring to his and his children’s lives. Royal expert Duncan Larcombe has previously stated that William has also been inspired by the "Middleton model" of parenting.

"Although there are some similarities, George is being raised in a very different way to Prince William," Duncan alleged. "William has based his children's upbringing on the Middleton model – three children, affluent, but hardworking parents and lots of love in the house."

In the couple’s engagement interview, the Prince of Wales described how "very close" his wife’s family was and how much they’d embraced him with open arms.

"Kate's got a very, very close family. I get on really well with them and I'm very lucky that they've been so supportive," he said. "Mike and Carole have been really loving and caring and really fun and have been really welcoming towards me so I've felt really a part of the family."

Given how tight-knit the Princess of Wales and her parents have always been, it’s perhaps no surprise that they remained a "constant presence" after she became a mother herself and have been so key in supporting the Wales family.

Carole in particular has been dubbed a "Mary Poppins-like figure" helping out with her grandchildren and she’s said to have stepped up even more after Kate was diagnosed with cancer in 2024.

"She has been both a physical and emotional support to Kate. The Middletons are a traditional family, which is why William enjoyed being around them so much. When things go wrong, they pull together under Carole's direction," royal expert Ingrid Seward claimed last year. "She is the matriarch of this family and they all take her advice".

Now spring has officially sprung, the time has come to start branching out from our favourite boots into other types of footwear. It’s hard to beat your best white trainers for certain occasions but if you want something a little smarter and chicer, Carole Middleton’s go-to style is a no-brainer.

The Princess of Wales’s mum attends plenty of events throughout the warmer months and she regularly reaches for wedges for appearances at Wimbledon in particular. I’ve lost count of the number of times Carole’s stepped out this type of shoe and hers all tend to be very neutral and not overly high.

Shop Wedges Like Carole's

This is perfect when you want to be able to wear your espadrilles during the day as well as the evening and still be comfortable. In 2021 Carole stepped out for a day at the tennis in a pair of creamy white wedges that were secured around her ankle with tie straps.

Designs like these feel very ballerina-esque and naturally elegant, which complements flowy dresses and skirts particularly well. Carole styled her wedges with a bold red dress and the more neutral you go with your footwear, the more fun you can have with wearing bright spring/summer fashion colour trends, confident that your look will be balanced overall.

The Princess of Wales’s mother also loves slip-on wedge heels that bridge the gap between espadrilles and traditional court shoe heels. Once again, Carole’s are a warm neutral tan tone and this created a soft contrast between the leather and jute sole.

These shoes were minimal and she wore them twice in one Wimbledon fortnight back in 2018, once with a polka dot print shirt dress and once with a knee-length white frock with Broderie Anglaise cut-outs. The shape of these naturally feels a little more formal, so they’d be gorgeous with a wedding guest outfit or party look.

If you prefer to have a bit more support around your ankle, I would recommend going for yet another variation on Carole Middleton’s go-to summer shoe. Wedges with a buckled ankle strap are a lovely option and she also owns some of these, including a caramel pair she wore to the tennis in 2017 with a floral dress.

With so many different types of wedges in her collection, it’s clear that Carole is a big fan of this footwear style and even though we’ve only just entered spring, there are lots of designs starting to appear on the high-street and online. This is good news if you’ve been umming and ahhing over whether to add a pair to your spring capsule wardrobe to take you through summer too.

I’m personally going to be shopping sooner rather than later to avoid my favourite wedges selling out and who knows whether Carole Middleton could be tempted to pick up another pair for 2026. She’s known for her smart-casual outfits and we’ve only ever seen her wear her wedges with dresses, though jeans and T-shirts would work just as well if you prefer relaxed styling.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have faced so many difficult moments head-on together over the years, though sometimes they are in need of a little additional support. When the late Queen Elizabeth passed away in Scotland in September 2022, many expected Kate to travel with William to Balmoral to say a final goodbye in private and join the new King Charles.

However, the mum-of-three defied these expectations and remained at home in Berkshire, as this was also Prince George, Charlotte and Louis’s first day at their new school. Writing in his new book, William & Catherine, royal author Russell Myers claims that Kate called her mum Carole Middleton to be there when the kids got home.

"Catherine called her mother, Carole, and asked her to come over to their Adelaide Cottage home to provide extra support for the children when they returned home from school," he alleges. "After picking them up herself and excitedly finding out about their first day, Catherine delivered the sad news that their beloved "Gan-Gan" had passed away peacefully."

A courtier described the decision for the Princess to stay in Windsor with the children as "the right one for their family". Having Carole there was likely not only a huge source of comfort for George, Charlotte and Louis, but Kate, who not only had to break the devastating news to her children but was also mourning the Queen herself.

Royal expert Ingrid Seward has previously explained how Carole had "always been a rock" for her daughter and reflected on what she was like in person, the "couple of times" she’s met her.

"The word that keeps coming back to me is 'strength'," Ingrid said. "I imagine her as a sort of pioneer woman driving a wagon with a rifle at her feet, and three children in the back, fighting off any enemy. Basically, that's what she's been doing all her life, isn't it?"

The Middletons live close by to the Wales family and Ingrid added that "Carole is a really helpful, practical and unflappable mum and grandmother". When Kate was diagnosed with cancer in 2024, Prince William paused his own royal duties to be there for her and when he resumed them, the expert feels that his mother-in-law threw herself into helping out even more.

Ingrid claimed, "Rather than ask what she can do, she just gets on with it; she’s very proactive. When William went back to royal duties, she was doing the school run and probably doing things like filling the freezer with the kids' favourite foods."

Carole Middleton is a source of immense "strength" and support for her family through thick and thin, and it’s perhaps no surprise that Kate apparently asked her to come over when Queen Elizabeth died. Carole and her husband Michael went on to attend the late monarch’s funeral and in 2023, they were at King Charles’s coronation.

In the past Carole was also spotted being driven by Queen Elizabeth in Scotland and was hosted by King Charles at Birkhall on the Balmoral estate. It’s clear she and Michael have been welcomed with open arms by the Royal Family, and their inclusion in royal occasions is likely important to both Kate and William, as well as their three children.

As someone who’s a big fan of boots, my shoe collection is distinctly lacking in comfy, wearable options and it won’t be long before these are what I really want to be wearing. There are so many spring/summer shoe trends emerging for 2026 already but Duchess Sophie is the latest royal to invest in a particular style that’s far more classic.

She stepped out in the Penelope Chilvers Gamine shoes in tan suede for a visit to the University of Surrey on 28th January and as soon as I saw them, I thought of Kate and Carole Middleton. The Princess of Wales and her mum have Emmy London Josie block heels and Carole’s pair is a very similar shade to Sophie’s shoes.

Kate just wore chocolate-toned higher Josies for a day of engagements in Northern England and if these recent appearances are telling me anything, it’s that tan or brown block-heeled shoes are a must for spring.

Shop Tan Shoes For Spring

The Duchess of Edinburgh’s Gamine shoes are sadly almost sold out right now, having dropped to £66 in sale, though that doesn’t stop me from admiring their timeless design. They have a mid-height block heel that adds elevation whilst still being sturdy and comfy to wear in the day.

Tan and suede are an unbeatable combination too, as the warm undertones of the colour complements the softness of the material. Plus, as a neutral, tan works with pretty much any outfit and looks especially gorgeous with lighter hues whilst black can look too stark.

This is great news as we edge towards a new season, as many of the big fashion colour trends for spring/summer 2026 are either pastel or bright. Tan itself is set to have a real moment this year and woman&home’s Digital Fashion Ecommerce Editor, Caroline Parr, thinks it’s an easy shade to incorporate into outfits.

"Whilst it's a much softer alternative to black, it's also really easy to work into your wardrobe. Tan shoes will work with everything from black and white outfits, to colours like burgundy and khaki. The blocky heel on Sophie's style is much more manageable than a stiletto, too," she explains.

The Duchess styled her shoes with a dark green tailored suit and a purple satin shirt - an unusual colour combination she’s loved for years. Carole Middleton’s tan suede Emmy London heels got two outings in summer 2024 and she wore them with two different floral dresses to Wimbledon.

You can never go wrong with neutral shoes, especially when you’re wearing patterns which immediately draw the eye.

Something like Carole’s ensemble would be wonderful for a wedding or a summer event like Ascot or, as she proved, Wimbledon. Meanwhile, the Princess of Wales’s block heeled suede shoes were styled in a more tonal, formal way on 27th January.

She wore chocolate brown Josies with a higher heel that had a very leg-elongating effect, and paired them with a head-to-toe brown ensemble. These are just one of the many pairs of Josie heels owned by Kate and although the colour was darker than Carole’s shoes, it’s still equally wearable and a step away from black.

Even if block heels aren’t for you, brown or tan flat shoes like loafers or ballet pumps would finish off so many spring/summer outfits in an elegant way.

The Princess of Wales’s mother might not be royal herself, but she’s the queen of understated, elegant outfits that wouldn’t look out of place for an official engagement. Even so, Carole's fashion tends to be slightly more wearable day-to-day than her working royal daughter, and when she turned 71 on 31st January I couldn’t help thinking what I'd love her to reach for as a birthday look.

One of her only public appearances last year was at the Turn The Tables event in aid of Cancer Research UK and this checked jacket is something that would work perfectly for a birthday lunch or low-key party. Like Kate, Carole often champions the best British clothing brands and this occasion was no different, as the jacket was from LK Bennett.

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Complete The Look

She’s had this in her wardrobe since at least 2022 and the detailing is exquisite. The buttons are designed to resemble pearls and their sheen instantly brings glamour without going overboard. Carole added matching pearl earrings and the neat, cropped shape and fringed edging on the jacket gave it a classic, Parisian feel.

Chanel is the designer that’s most associated with this type of collarless jacket and Carole Middleton put a British twist on them with the checked pattern. A cropped, structured jacket like this works for winter underneath a bigger coat, but really comes into its own in spring.

The smartness is a great contrast with denim as an alternative to a jeans and blazer outfit and you can throw them over dresses for weddings or other special occasions. For the charity event the Princess of Wales’s mother wore hers with a black shirt, black straight-leg trousers and Emmy London black heels.

Part of the reason I can imagine Carole wearing a version of this 2025 look on her 71st birthday is because of how quintessentially *her* it is. Like the royals, she usually balances out any statement colours or patterns by keeping the rest of her ensemble very pared-back.

This minimal approach gave her look a sense of sophistication as every item complemented each other and felt cohesive. A quilted black handbag finished off her outfit and there’s nothing that couldn’t be re-worn at a later date.

The latest spring/summer fashion trends are all well and good, but when you want inspiration for ageless style, look no further than Carole Middleton. She wore almost the exact same thing in 2022 when she went to New Jersey to mark the launch of Party Pieces in the US and monochrome clothing is incredibly versatile because it will go with any other shades you love.

After apparently celebrating her milestone 70th birthday last year with a family holiday in Mustique, things might be a little more low-key in 2026. It’s been widely reported that the Princess of Wales marked turning 44 on 9th January by going out for lunch locally with her mum and sister, so perhaps Carole would organise a similar family meal for hers.

However, another sunny getaway could end up being on the cards, as Carole has previously revealed that she "often goes away" on her birthday. When she does stay at home like she did in 2023, she loves bringing the "sunshine to [her]" by throwing a party with "lots of bold and bright colours".

Prince George, Charlotte and Louis are growing up with experiences that you only get as a royal, yet in many ways, their childhood is far more like Kate’s than Prince William’s. Being a hands-on parent doing school drop-offs and attending sports matches is incredibly important to the Princess of Wales and whilst Carole Middleton is a big influence, someone else has also heavily inspired her parenting.

Speaking on the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast in 2020, the Princess revealed that she's recreating "a lot of the experiences" she had with her grandmother.

"I had an amazing granny who devoted a lot of time to us, playing with us, doing arts and crafts and going to the greenhouse to do gardening, and cooking with us," Kate said. "And I try and incorporate a lot of the experiences that she gave us at the time into the experiences that I give my children now."

The Princess of Wales didn’t specify which of her grandmothers she was talking about, although it’s been widely suggested that she was referring to Valerie Middleton. Something Carole said in her first ever interview could also hint at this, as she said she had a "wonderful role model" in her mother-in-law "who [she] tried to emulate".

Cooking, arts and crafts and getting outdoors together regularly come up in conversation when Kate and William discuss their family. Later on the podcast episode the future Queen was asked to complete the sentence "I’m happy when…" and responded, "I'm with my family outside in the countryside and we're all filthy dirty".

Last year, the future Queen described nature as a "sanctuary" for the Waleses after her cancer diagnosis, and spending time outdoors together was the focus of many of the clips in Will Warr’s video when she announced she’d completed treatment.

Over the summer she also confessed that George, Charlotte and Louis had been "crafting in every corner of the house". This very much sounds like Kate’s experiences with Valerie are being passed down to her kids and just as her granny "devoted a lot of time" to her, she does this for them.

The Prince and Princess of Wales usually clear their diaries during school holidays and are focused on creating a good work/life balance.

"I do try to stick to school timetables as much as possible, so most days we’re in and out of school doing drop offs and pick ups. Getting the balance of work and family life right is really important, because for me, the most important thing in my life is family," William said on Apple TV+’s The Reluctant Traveler back in October.

Meanwhile, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond previously compared William and Kate’s parenting to the royals and expressed her belief that they’re hands-on "in a way neither Charles and Diana, nor the late Queen and Prince Philip ever were".

"From the start they have cared for their children themselves as much as possible with minimal outside help," she continued. "This is an unusual and enlightened decision by the couple: you can’t undo the destiny you were born into, but you can make life more of a family affair than an upbringing in palaces and castles would allow."

In the cold depths of winter, tights are an absolute must-have. But wearing the same pair of plain, black tights over and over in order to keep warm just feels a bit boring after a while.

So when we came across a snap of Carole Middleton wearing a pair of patterned tights to add texture and interest to a black, monochrome outfit she stepped out in back in 2013, we knew we’d be investing in a pair of our own.

Carole has always been adept at blending practicality with style, with her best style moments showing off an attention to detail that infuses her timeless style with personal taste and personality.

Her patterned tights are a great example of this, as they transform the look of her simple, black tailored coat, black heels, and leather gloves and stop them from feeling too plain and simple – and they’re so simple to slip on with any outfit to make it more striking and playful this winter.

Get Carole Middleton's Winter-Ready Look

We’re all in agreement that tights are an absolute staple in any winter capsule wardrobe, but Carole’s look is a great reminder that something necessary can also be chic, and opting for a patterned tight instead of the classic opaque styles we rely on is a sure-fire and subtle way to elevate any outfit.

Especially when it comes to one-toned outfits like Carole's, a pop of pattern never goes amiss. Her sleek, black outfit is incredibly elegant and loses none of its impact for being relatively simple in terms of silhouette. This is thanks to the small details, like her tights and a faux-fur collar on her coat, that bring in subtle, elegant touches to draw the eye and create impact.

Patterned tights are such a small styling trick that can transform your outfit and bring it to a whole new level by effortlessly bringing in just a pop of interest. Carole was careful not to overwhelm the look by adding too many accessories and overpowering the pattern of her tights, though. With a sleek pair of leather gloves and a matching leather handbag accessorising the outfit, this was just enough to tie everything together.

A self-confessed "list-maker" who starts planning Christmas well in advance, Carole Middleton makes sure there’s festive spirit in abundance when it comes to her Grade II listed house in Berkshire.

The Princess of Wales’s mum, who lives with husband Michael in the sprawling country manor, previously revealed that she goes all out when it comes to decorating for Christmas with not one, not two, but three Christmas trees. And there’s a sweet, thoughtful reason for this that showcases how hands-on she is as a grandmother.

Each tree has a distinct purpose. One tree is the fashionable, themed one and the second is a "memory" tree, decorated with family decorations and heirlooms going right back. But the third Christmas tree is where the children have free reign to decorate it however they want.

This is a fun idea to unlock a child’s creativity, and one that proves why her former party planning business, Party Pieces, was so successful. It also allows the likes of Prince George, Charlotte and Louis to get fully involved and feel part of the Christmas prep process with their granny, especially as they often spend Christmas Day itself at Sandringham House in Norfolk with the Royal Family.

At the time she revealed her tradition, the Wales kids would likely have dominated the 'children's tree' decorating. The only other grandchild Carole had in 2018 was Arthur Matthews, Pippa Middleton’s eldest, who was born that October.

By December 2025, Carole’s family has expanded, with more grandchildren around to decorate their tree. Pippa's daughters Grace and Rose and James's son Inigo are now there to lend a helping hand.

Decorating the tree is one thing, but Carole also likes to get her grandchildren taking responsibility for other things from a young age. She's keen on getting them involved in the kitchen work too, "chopping and stirring" as early as possible.

It’s all part of her focus on being a hands-on grandmother and she credits her mother-in-law with inspiring her approach. She described Michael's mum as being a "wonderful role model" to her and someone she "tried to emulate". Now Carole Middleton is inspiring the younger generations.

She's also been a big source of support and insight for her son-in-law, Prince William too. Psychiatrist Max Pemberton has previously claimed that Carole's impact on William has allowed him to have a sense of "ordinary life", embracing new traditions.

"We all know how tricky life with in-laws can be. And yet sometimes, they provide an alternative type of family to ours, which is welcome," Max declared. "It's said William considers Carole a second mum. Of course, he lost his own at a tender age, so Carole may represent that maternal figure he's lacked."

"The embrace of a new family, with its different perspectives and traditions, can be very healthy and help us to flourish," he added.

There are always little moments and details that go under the radar at royal events and Together at Christmas is no exception. The Princess of Wales' annual carol service took place on 5th December and, like always, it had a big turn-out of royals.

This included Catherine and William's children and Prince Louis' outfit featured a subtle but sweet nod to his granny Carole Middleton. She and Michael attended the service too and Louis' tie perfectly matched her House of Bruar coat. Both were green and blue tartan which tied in with Catherine's coat and the rest of the Wales family's navy outfits.

Prince William and George were in suits and ties too, but it was only Louis who wore a tartan one. Although the coordination with Carole could have been a coincidence, so much thought goes into every royal outfit and this makes me wonder if it was a specific, sentimental choice.

After all, the Princess of Wales might have discussed outfits with her mum pre-Together at Christmas and there is always such cohesion between the children as it is. In my mind, there's no way that Louis' look was a last minute decision and I suspect Carole would have planned her own ensemble in advance too.

Louis could easily have worn the same green tie as George, though the tartan one created this low-key link with his grandmother and tied the Middletons in with the Wales family. George, Charlotte and Louis have a close bond with their maternal grandparents and last year Louis paid another tribute to them at the carol service.

If you look closely at pictures from the event last year, you can just make out the message he wrote on his note for the Kindness Tree: "Thank you for Granny and Grandpa because they have played games with me".

He could've been talking about King Charles and Queen Camilla, though she's understood to be called 'GaGa' by her grandkids. We also saw Louis playing games with Carole and Michael in Will Warr’s video which Catherine released last September when she confirmed she’d completed cancer treatment.

Royal expert and author Ingrid Seward previously expressed her belief that Carole was an invaluable source of support and stepped in to help with her Wales grandchildren whilst Catherine was undergoing treatment.

"Carole is a really helpful, practical and unflappable mum and grandmother. Rather than ask what she can do, she just gets on with it; she’s very proactive," she’s quoted as saying. "When William went back to royal duties, she was doing the school run and probably doing things like filling the freezer with the kids' favourite foods."

Ingrid added, "Looking after the three kids would have been absolutely no problem for her whatsoever and Kate would have been able to relax in the knowledge that her mother's hand was on the wheel."

The Middletons live close to the Prince and Princess of Wales and this time of year is particularly family-focused for them. Carole has revealed in the past that she makes it extra special for her grandchildren and has a Christmas tree just for them to decorate.

She’s a fan of traditional games like sardines and musical statues, and wants the children to eat with the adults "as soon as they can sit up properly".

"As a family, we try to have as many meals together as possible because that’s when you talk and have fun," Carole explained.

The Princess of Wales and her mum Carole have very similar signature styles, favouring timeless silhouettes and smart-casual outfits. However, the Middleton matriarch’s outfit for the 2025 Together at Christmas carol service took things to another level. As soon as I saw her arriving at Westminster Abbey, I was struck by how Catherine-esque her tartan coat and accessories were.

Carole braved the rain in a full-length tartan coat by House of Bruar and longer outerwear is one of the most practical winter coat trends right now. This design is an investment piece, but it’s crafted from 100% pure wool for a warm yet breathable finish.

Wool coats are a staple in many people’s winter capsule wardrobes and Carole and Catherine both have quite a collection of them. The one Carole wore to Together at Christmas has a Black Watch tartan pattern, with deep blue and festive forest green.

Shop Carole's Outfit

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Her daughter owns a very similar design from Holland Cooper and tartan or checked pieces are perfect for not only the festive season, but winter more generally. They bring a traditional edge to any outfit and introduce some dimension thanks to the pattern.

Even if you’re not usually a fan of wearing a lot of prints, tartan is worth considering as it’s simpler to style than many designs. Choosing a more muted colourway also helps to make them versatile and Carole’s pick of dark navy and forest green would complement neutrals like black, white or camel, as well as other blue and green hues.

The Princess of Wales’s mum went for a teal Natasha clutch from Emmy London and navy suede Josie heels from this British brand too. Included in Catherine’s best handbags are the Natasha clutches in various colours and she owns both the Lake Blue one Carole wore, and the same blue Josie heels.

They’re firm family favourites and the beauty of the Natasha clutch lies in the craftsmanship and how simple the design is. A plain flapover clutch is the perfect finishing touch for Christmas party or date night outfits, as they look smart and are minimal, allowing your clothing to be the star of the show.

Although Carole is a pro when it comes to wearing delicate stiletto heels, when you want something a little more comfortable, block heels are the way to go. Her Josie shoes had the classic shape of court shoes with extra sturdiness.

Going for blue and green accessories created a sense of cohesion with her tartan coat and this is usually how the Princess of Wales likes to style her Holland Cooper coat too. Underneath the coat, Carole Middleton was wearing a blue dress that fell to just above knee length and had a crew neckline.

This was only slightly visible underneath her coat which really was the main focus of her outfit. She finished her look off with pearl drop earrings and several shimmering necklaces, and whether intentionally or not, the deep green in her tartan coat echoed Catherine’s own coat.

The future Queen re-wore her bespoke bottle-green Catherine Walker coat and underneath she had on a Miu Miu pleated tartan midi skirt. Mother and daughter both championing this traditional and elegant style has given me plenty of style inspiration for the rest of the season.

A house isn’t truly a home without special memories being made there and Carole Middleton knows a thing or two about creating a fun experience for her grandkids. The Princess of Wales’s mum - a self-confessed "list-maker" starts planning Christmas months ahead of time and makes sure there’s a tree for the children to decorate themselves.

This year the autumn is shaping up to be a little different for the Wales family as it’s widely reported that they’re set to move house by Bonfire Night. That means that they could get to enjoy one last Halloween at Adelaide Cottage - and as this holiday is an "autumn highlight" for Carole, she’ll surely be keen to get involved.

She revealed how much Halloween means to her in a post shared on the Party Pieces Instagram account back in 2022. The caption appeared alongside a picture taken by Liz Mcauley and Carole declared, "I can still remember the fun and frights from my own childhood; the chance to dress up, decorate pumpkins and go trick-or-treating!"

The Princess of Wales’s mum added that she’d even grown her own pumpkins and was "looking forward to decorating" them with her "loved ones". Once you’ve taken the plunge and grown pumpkins once, surely there’s no going back, but she’s clearly up for spooky celebrations even if this is one tradition that hasn’t lasted.

It’s a rather surprising admission from Carole too, given that Halloween is often viewed as a very American holiday, especially with the custom of trick or treating. It’s not an occasion the Royal Family publicly celebrates or posts about and the Middletons are big believers in tradition too.

Despite this, Carole grew up embracing Halloween and it’s an excuse to get the family together for "fun and frights". Prince George, Charlotte and Louis are understood to have gone trick or treating in London in the past and it’s been said that Kate has even been spotted making a Halloween costume buying trip to the supermarket in Norfolk.

Carole’s "autumn highlight" has seemingly become a treasured part of October for her Wales grandchildren too and celebrating together would be a lovely way to close the chapter of living at Adelaide Cottage.

Of course, they could always go to her house, as Carole and Michael live nearby in Berkshire, as do their other children and grandchildren. Before long, though, Halloween will be over and "soon after" that is when the mum-of-three gets to work planning Christmas.

It sounds like a quick transition from one holiday to another, but Carole Middleton is a stickler for organisation and explained in an interview that she’s a "big list-maker" and tries to "get everyone involved".

Although William, Kate, George, Charlotte and Louis have celebrated Christmas with the King and Queen at Sandringham House most recent years, they’ll still enjoy spending time with the Princess’s side of the family. In her view, you can’t be "too serious" throughout the festive season and entertaining the children is a must.

"I’m going to need a few of these cheeky chaps this December, to hide around the house and make my grandchildren laugh," she once wrote alongside a snap of two festive elves. "As much as I love immaculate decorations, we can’t be too serious at Christmas!"

We’re used to seeing Carole Middleton in elegant midi dresses for outings to Wimbledon and Ascot, or else in jeans and smart jackets. However, there are occasions that call for formal attire and when she does eveningwear, she does it in style.

Like all of her outfits, the Princess of Wales’s party looks are timeless and with the festive period edging nearer I’ve found myself looking back for inspiration. After all, who doesn’t want to have their go-to outfit hanging ready in their wardrobe ahead of party season?

Carole probably has a vast selection of dresses to choose from but one piece from the past really stands out. In 2013 she wore a black maxi dress to the British Red Cross Ambassadors Gala fundraiser in London and paired it with glimmering gold necklaces.

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This frock is particularly significant as it’s the same one Carole Middleton wore to Prince William and Kate’s wedding reception, though only a few pictures of her from the event publicly exist. We got a better look at it when she attended the gala and it had a wrap V-neckline and feminine angel sleeves that draped gracefully downwards.

The flowy sleeves mirrored the ruffled tiered skirt and although I love a flattering jumpsuit, the voluminous sweep of a long dress always feels so glamorous. It’s hard to make out in photos from the event but the ruffles ran down the front from the bottom of the wrap bodice.

Whether you’re styling a floor-length dress like Carole’s or jeans and a blazer, monochrome outfits can easily look one-dimensional and textural contrast is key to avoiding this. Her frock had so much movement and variety in the design thanks to the pleated ruffles that it was so striking.

However, if your favourite little black dress is plainer, consider switching things up with your outerwear or accessories. Velvet, satin, knitted or leather bags, shoes or jackets are all easy ways to add more texture to a one-colour look.

Jewellery also breaks things up and the Princess of Wales’s mum wore two different necklaces with her dress. The V-neckline of her dress framed the daintier one, which looked like a Cleef & Arpels Alhambra necklace in white and gold.

The longer one was bolder and fell to her waist with a heart-shaped pendant. You don’t have to splash out on really luxurious pieces as affordable jewellery works just as well against a black dress to add some sparkle and interest.

If you do want to follow her example and layer two necklaces together, though, I’d recommend going for different lengths like Carole did. It just makes each one stand out more and means you don’t have to worry about them getting tangled quite as much.

She finished off her outfit at the British Red Cross Ambassadors Gala with a black clutch bag and wore her brunette hair in a half-up, half-down style which we don’t often see her do nowadays. At the Prince and Princess of Wales’s wedding reception she went for a full up-do accessorised with a pearl hairpin instead.

Both looks were stunning and the maxi dress was the star of the show. Maxi dresses in general are very elegant but if you prefer shorter hemlines, a midi length frock or skirt has a similar feel.

Welcome to the woman&home Quiz of the Day. It's our fun, quick quiz you'll find here every Monday to Friday, which will test what you know about the biggest talking points and topics of the moment.

We consider Carole Middleton to be rather legendary here at woman&home - especially when it comes to her style. From casual looks like her toasty roll neck and jeans to elegant moments like her sultry red dress, we're always intrigued by her outfits.

We've learned plenty of interesting info about Carole over the years, too. Like the cool job she had before she married Michael Middleton – and what she's like as a granny to her grandchildren. But how much do you know about her? Take our Carole quiz to test yourself.

Share your scores and let us know how you did in the comments section below!

Unlike both of her daughters, who went for gorgeous lace-sleeved gowns on their big days, Carole Middleton’s wedding dress was far less traditional with its boho style. The Princess of Wales’s parents haven't publicly shared pictures from their 1980 nuptials and yet we know exactly what Carole’s dress was like, thanks to her daughter-in-law.

When James Middleton married Alizée Thevenet in 2021 the bride said "I do" wearing Carole’s bardot-neckline gown. To celebrate their 4th wedding anniversary James has shared two never-before-seen pictures on Instagram - including a full-length glimpse at the dress.

The couple got married in France and so the off-shoulder design of Carole’s wedding dress was a perfect choice for the gorgeous September sunshine. In the first picture James and Alizée can be seen leaving a building hand in hand and beaming as confetti is thrown into the air.

The second shows the two walking on the beach and the combination of these snaps gives curious fans a great look at both the front and back of the gown. It fell to an elegant midi length with an A-line shaped skirt that was far less voluminous than Kate or Pippa’s dresses.

A waist belt gave it extra shaping and tied at the back, and the bardot neckline had a frill running across it covered with embroidery. What looks to be a lace trim ran along the edge of this frill and the bottom hem of the dress too.

Everything about the design of Carole and Alizée’s dress was whimsical, feminine and delicate. Speaking previously to Hello!, Alizée revealed that she’d tried on her mother-in-law’s wedding gown during lockdown, when she and James were living with his parents.

"My ‘something borrowed’ was in fact my dress from my mother-in-law Carole who last wore it 41 years ago on her wedding day in June, 1980," Alizée said. "While talking about dresses with Carole and sharing ideas during lockdown for inspiration, I tried on her wedding dress and fell in love with it."

She went on to describe how "amazing" it was for her to be able to give a frock as "beautiful" as Carole’s a "second lease of life". Alizée explained that it’s "always troubled" her that wedding dresses are typically only worn once.

If you're wondering whether she made any changes to Carole Middleton’s wedding dress for her own big day 41 years later, this doesn’t appear to have happened.

"It fitted me perfectly and was exactly what I wanted," Alizée shared.

So although Carole and Michael’s wedding pictures remain private, her dress likely looked the same or very similar to when Alizée wore it. If I had to describe Carole’s style I wouldn’t immediately say "boho" and yet it’s clear that she does have a fondness for this judging by her wedding dress.

Her wedding also sounds like it was relatively relaxed, which would work with this type of gown too. In an interview with The Telegraph in 2018 it was revealed that the mum-of-three planned her own big day and it involved an evening bonfire.

"I found the venue, organised the wedding breakfast, the bonfire and chilli con carne in the evening," she said.

Over the years we’ve heard the Princess of Wales and her siblings speak out about their idyllic childhood in Berkshire and the supportive roles their parents played. In 2020, Kate explained that they came to "every sports match" to cheer them on and took them on family holidays.

Meanwhile, James has credited Carole and Michael with bringing them up "knowing that you can’t take family for granted". Pippa has also discussed their childhoods before and in her first major interview ever in 2016 she disclosed the strict rule that was a valuable lesson.

Chatting with the Daily Mail, the Princess of Wales’s sister explained that they were "taught to eat properly" and ate together as a family three times a day at home. There was no children’s food either - whatever the adults cooked, that was what was on offer.

Pippa declared, "As children we didn't have anything different, we always ate what our parents ate. My mother and father took the view, and I agree, that you don't need to make different food for children. We had to eat everything on our plate and not be fussy about food."

Carole and Michael’s approach wasn’t always smooth-sailing, as Pippa revealed that there were occasions where she sat at the table for a while after meal times after not wanting to tuck into whatever dish was served. However, she soon learnt to like "everything".

"There were times when I would be sitting at the table after lunch or dinner, having not eaten something because I decided I didn't like it and actually remaining there until I had eaten it," she shared, adding laughingly, "'We had to stay at the table until we had eaten everything. There were no exceptions. And in the end I liked everything because I had to."

The Middletons were clearly no-nonsense about food in their house and Pippa’s remark that she agrees with it suggests that she appreciates this now. It’s possible that the mum-of-three might adopt this in her own household and she reflected on the “traditional” fare Carole used to make.

“She wouldn't spend hours in the kitchen because she was working, but it was always what I call proper stuff, home- cooked food and rarely any takeaways. Even from a very young age we had lots of traditional food like shepherd's pie, liver and mash with an onion gravy, kidneys and even mussels,” she said. “Good carbohydrate, protein and vegetables, really good for you and cheap as well. We had to eat the lot.”

With no fussiness allowed, Pippa learnt from a young age to like a lot of ingredients that some might consider grown-up for children - especially offal.

Her big sister Kate also spoke of her love for kidneys during a visit to the Oxford House Nursing Home in February 2023. When one of the residents, Nora, told the future Queen that her favourite foods were "kidneys and Brussels sprouts", the royal is understood to have responded, "Oh, kidneys! I love kidneys too!"

Salty savoury ingredients are some of Pippa’s favourites. In her interview she discussed her cook book, Heartfelt, whose profits went to The British Heart Foundation.

Although she said she regularly uses "ingredients like feta, anchovies and olives", they were ruled out for the recipes in the book because "though they add extra flavour, each introduces salt".

"Instead, I leaned more heavily on citrus and garlic, and spices that provide heat, such as chilli, and paprika," she declared.

It’s been quite some time since Carole Middleton last gave an interview and that’s hardly surprising given how senior her eldest daughter, Catherine, Princess of Wales is in the Royal Family. However, the rare occasions she has spoken out have been enlightening and back in 2018 she openly revealed her "biggest fear".

Speaking to The Telegraph, Carole expressed love for motherhood, admitting that she’d "have had five or six [children] if [she] could". She described herself as "definitely hands-on" and confessed that she used to worry about her family growing apart.

"My biggest fear [as her offspring grew up] was that I’d lose my family, but we’ve stayed close," she shared. "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."

Juggling her responsibilities at her former business, Party Pieces, with parenting Kate, Pippa and James can’t have been easy, but throughout it all - as Carole said - they’ve "stayed close". If anyone ever doubted whether this would remain the case when the Princess of Wales joined the Royal Family, they’ve been proved wrong.

As her children have grown up and had their own kids, Carole has maintained a brilliant bond with all of them. Carole and Michael Middleton have consistently been included in royal occasions too, and were invited to both Queen Elizabeth’s funeral and King Charles’s coronation.

When the Princess of Wales revealed that she completed her cancer treatment last year in a video filmed by Will Warr, her parents were once again featured. In an adorable clip, fans saw the Waleses playing cards with Carole and Michael.

Since 2022 ,when the Prince and Princess of Wales moved to Adelaide Cottage, they’ve also been geographically closer to the Middletons than ever. It’s recently been confirmed that they’ll be moving again before the year is out and their rumoured "forever home" Forest Lodge is equally convenient for trips to Bucklebury.

Carole and Michael’s younger children, Pippa and James, and their families also live in Berkshire. Although their lives have all changed substantially, her family have remained as tight-knit as ever, dispelling her once-held "fear".

Her upbringing also seems to have heavily influenced the future Queen’s parenting style too, as she has also been described as "hands-on". Prince George, Charlotte and Louis have inherited Kate and her family’s love of sports and she and William are giving them as down-to-earth an upbringing as possible with plenty of privacy like she enjoyed.

According to the BBC, it’s understood that when they move house the Waleses won’t have any live-in staff. This is already the case at Adelaide Cottage and it might surprise some fans given that Prince William is first in the royal line of succession.

However, it could be seen as another indication of Prince William and Kate wanting to give their children a more "ordinary" upbringing. In their engagement interview in 2010, the Princess revealed she was hoping to have a family like hers.

"I hope we will be able to have a happy family ourselves. Because they've been great over the years - helping me with difficult times. We see a lot of each other and they are very, very dear to me," she said.

Finding the best wedding guest dresses isn’t always easy, especially if you wait until close to the date to start looking. This is why it’s worth picking up any designs that catch your eye ahead of time and for abroad weddings, something more flowy and lightweight makes a perfect choice.

Because of this, I shouldn’t really have been surprised to see Carole Middleton switch up her signature look for what is believed to have been her son James’s South of France nuptials in 2021. And yet it wasn’t the style of dress we usually see from her - at least when she’s attending Wimbledon or royal events.

We saw a glimpse of this outfit in a post James shared in honour of Mother’s Day 2023. Although not confirmed to have been taken at his wedding, he's wearing the same suit as he did for his big day and it's widely speculated it was taken then. Carole went for a Temperley London boho style dress, with a V-neckline and bold florals.

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Like many boho-inspired pieces, Carole’s dress felt fun and the colourful pattern brightened up the white base tone. Made from breathable silk (a pricey, but beautiful fabric to wear in the heat), it was described as a ‘multi crochet print’ dress.

The vibrant orange flowers did have a crochet-esque shape rather than being overly realistic, which added to the playfulness of the design. The V-neckline was accentuated with a contrasting section and the mum-of-three looked to have ruched up the long sleeves.

The sweet family snap showed her and James embracing on his wedding day and Carole looked relaxed and comfortable in this dress. Although it’s hard to make out with the glow of the lights, it had pops of blue (one of her go-to shades) in the design and as orange and blue are opposites on the colour wheel, this really made the pattern stand out.

For weddings and other special occasions people often avoid wearing something quite this bold, but depending on the dress-code it’s worth considering changing things up. Something like Carole Middleton’s boho-inspired dress would work as a great base for smart-causal outfits.

Unlike some designs which scream "wedding" as soon as you see them, her frock could easily be re-worn for so many other occasions. It wouldn’t look out of place at a picnic, BBQ or even a lovely date night.

Sadly James’s picture didn’t show what shoes she wore with her Temperley dress. However, given that James and Alizée got married in the sunny South of France with a reception at a beach-side venue, I’d imagine she probably wore flat sandals if the picture was taken then.

Clogs and gladiator sandals are popular choices if you want to go full-on boho, though barely-there strappy styles tend to be Carole’s favourites. I’d recommend wearing any comfortable and neutral flats with a dress like hers, to allow it to take centre stage.

Carole Middleton finished off her look with a pair of chunky drop earrings that tied in with the feel of her dress. This outfit was very different to the blue and pink outfits she wore to her daughters’ weddings respectively.

As one took place with millions of people watching across the globe and the other in the English countryside, she took a more formal approach for these special occasions.

Just like the Princess of Wales, Carole Middleton is a seasoned heel-wearer, but she swapped her signature court shoes for something a lot comfier at Wimbledon this year. Attending alongside her husband Michael on Day 8, Carole went for an all-neutral outfit consisting of a toffee-brown striped dress and Emmy London sandals.

This brand is a royal favourite and Kate has their Rebecca heels in multiple colours, many of which match her summer dresses. Carole’s shoes were the May flat sandals in tan leather and these have such a gorgeous barely-there design.

Sandals are many people’s go-to shoes to wear in the heat and styles with minimal straps and foot coverage are especially breathable. They also look so delicate and feminine.

Shop Carole's Sandals and Similar Styles

Carole Middleton’s May sandals were handcrafted and fastened with a subtle buckle at the ankle, with criss-crossing straps weaving over the front of the foot. If you’re a big fan of the latest summer pedicure trends, then shoes like these are a great way of showing off your nail polish.

The Princess of Wales’s mum had a sunset-orange polish on her toes that was just visible through the straps and felt very summery. Another bonus with barely-there designs is the leg-elongating effect they can have, as you don’t have any thick straps cutting off your leg and instead the shoes almost look like an extension of your silhouette.

The tan tone of Carole’s sandals complemented the stripes on her midi dress and kept the colour palette of her entire outfit very subtle. Neutral, pared-back, flat sandals are a must-have for my summer wardrobe as they are incredibly versatile.

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As she proved at Wimbledon, they look pretty with flowing dresses as an alternative to heels and because they’re not high you can wear them with relaxed everyday outfits like jeans and camis too. White, black, tan or taupe sandals will go with any other hues without you having to worry about a colour clash.

Carole Middleton knows this well, and although we’ve not seen her wear the Emmy London May sandals before, she tends to stick to pinky-beige or tan footwear when she goes to the tennis. Last year she wore the chestnut suede Josie block heeled court shoes both times she attended Wimbledon.

In the past she’s worn neutral low wedges and pointed toe block heels, though I think her barely-there sandals are a wise choice for a hot day when you’re out and about for a long amount of time.

No matter how comfortable a block or wedge heel is, there’s nothing quite like a flat sandal when you want lasting power and your best white trainers just won’t do. Carole Middleton - as she often does - matched her sandals to her Osprey Cartmel Leather bag which can be worn crossbody.

However, Kate’s mum generally prefers to carry her handbags by the top handle strap which looks very chic. She finished off her outfit with Chanel sunglasses and looked delighted to be back at SW19 with Michael in the July sunshine.

There have been several occasions over the years where Carole Middleton and the Princess of Wales have worn very similar outfits - and sometimes even the exact same design, like their bright pink ME+EM dress. These instances tend to be years apart, but Carole’s look for Day 8 of Wimbledon instantly reminded me of a much more recent outfit of Kate’s.

On 2nd July the future Queen visited the RHS Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital wearing a taupe and white striped shirt by Ralph Lauren. Following in her daughter’s footsteps, Carole attended the tennis just five days later in a striped dress by Beulah London.

This is one of the best British clothing brands for luxurious quality and impeccable attention to detail and Kate has a few pieces by them too. Carole’s dress was the Helena style and is part of the Beulah x VCH limited-edition collection.

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It comes in several colours and patterns, though her toffee-brown and white striped version is my favourite as these tones are most versatile. The dress is made from handwoven cotton poplin, with long sleeves, a button-up front and an ageless shirt collar.

The bodice and skirt are lined for comfort and coverage and there’s a subtle tier on the skirt that gives it extra shaping. This is one of those summer dresses that looks sophisticated, but not so formal that you couldn’t dress it down day-to-day.

To make a striped shirt dress like Carole’s more relaxed I’d go for sporty white trainers and layer a white or blue denim jacket over the top. At Wimbledon she went a little smarter with her sandals and a matching top handle bag.

It was such an easy breezy ensemble and the stripes were the star of the show. The taupe and white hues had me thinking back to the Princess of Wales’s Ralph Lauren shirt, which closely resembled it.

Kate showcased neutral stripes even more at Colchester Hospital as she styled her shirt with a beige and white striped blazer over the top. Like her mum, she went for minimal accessories and allowed the stripes to be the focal point of her outfit.

Blue and white stripes are a more common combination for shirts and shirt dresses, though Carole and Kate have proved that beiges, camels and creams are every bit as stunning and easy to wear. Given how much influence they both have on fashion trends, I wouldn’t be surprised if neutral stripes are set to be the go-to print of the summer.

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They’re one of the most timeless patterns and make a change to polka dots or florals for the season. If you’re inspired by these two outfits and want to know how to start with styling stripes then I’d go for a shirt like Kate’s and wear it with trousers and jeans.

When you’re more comfortable with the print then a full stripy dress would be a great option for picnics, garden parties and BBQs. The Beulah London frock was Carole Middleton’s first Wimbledon 2025 look and it’s possible she could attend again before the final, as she’s a huge tennis fan and regularly goes more than once a year.

Carole Middleton is one of the best people to look to when you want inspiration for what to wear to Wimbledon. Her signature style naturally lends itself to smart-casual outfits anyway and she strikes a great balance between being summery and elegant.

Even if you’re not going to the tennis this year, Carole’s elegant outfit formula is worth taking note of for days when you want to look extra put-together. Last year the Princess of Wales’s mother wore a floral Cerfinn dress with a tailored white ME+EM blazer for her first day at the championships.

Like Kate, Carole often champions the best British clothing brands and her dress had delicate shirring at the cuffs, neckline and bodice. I find pieces with shirred detailing so comfortable thanks to the elastication and this dress had a tie-neck design and was bias-cut.

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The Cerfinn Irina dress had a neutral base colour which really made the tropical botanical print pop with its vibrancy. The mix of shocking pink and blue flowers and jade and emerald leaves brought a sense of fun to the design but the pattern was still quite dainty.

Although Carole Middleton loves wearing bold colours to big events like the electric blue shade she wore to King Charles’s coronation, day-to-day her favourite outfits tend to incorporate colour in a more understated way. She made this dress even more so with the addition of her blazer.

The weather can be very unpredictable during the Wimbledon fortnight and Carole was clever to bring a jacket with her just in case. She took it off when she sat to watch the matches, but on a breezy day extra coverage is always welcome.

This blazer was fitted, slightly cropped and made from cotton with a herringbone texture. The shorter length made this feel more contemporary and the white colour brightened up her outfit.

Whilst you might be tempted to pick a jacket that ties in with the colour of your outfits, white ones are so versatile and work with any other shade. The crisp tailoring of a white blazer has a sophisticated edge and contrasts beautifully against feminine florals.

It’s a combination that’s hard to beat and Carole Middleton’s Wimbledon outfit formula came into play in 2022 too. This time she wore a white denim jacket with a floral Boden jumpsuit rather than a frock.

In my view, the most flattering jumpsuits are every bit as fabulous for special events as a dress and I particularly love wide-leg styles like this. They’re just so easy breezy on a hot day and Carole’s choice of a white denim jacket over the top made her ensemble more relaxed.

Just like a white blazer, a white denim jacket is incredibly wearable. They’re not as casual as blue denim designs but aren’t quite as structured as a blazer so can be worn to more low-key occasions.

The tone of Carole’s jacket complemented the ivory base fabric of her jumpsuit which was covered with baby blue and pink flowers and green leaves. Both times the Princess of Wales’s mum wore a white jacket and florals to Wimbledon she kept her shoes and handbag neutral which added to the polished and pared-back quality of them.

Carole Middleton has seemingly inspired her daughter the Princess of Wales in many ways - from similar fashion choices to parenting styles. And Carole's influence extends to the home too, where her daughter has seemingly mirrored her mom's "favorite room" and made it a focal point of life for the Wales' and their visitors.

Over the years we’ve been treated to very few glimpses inside the Princess of Wales’s homes, Anmer Hall and Adelaide Cottage, and of Michael and Carole Middleton’s gorgeous house in Bucklebury. However, whilst we might not have a clear idea of what all their interiors look like, Carole and Kate share a love for making the kitchen a focus in their homes.

Mother and daughter are understood to both have open kitchens where they can spend time with loved ones as well as enjoy meals - and where Kate is thought to carry out her tradition of baking a birthday cake for her children each year.

According to Hello!, when asked about her favorite room in an interview with Good Housekeeping in 2021, Carole didn’t hesitate to stress the importance of her kitchen- and its multi-functional feel.

"My kitchen. It's a kitchen/dining/sitting room and it's the heart of the house,” she explained, before adding that it had also previously been a place where she worked during the pandemic.

Fans have seen Carole Middleton’s farmhouse-core kitchen with its stunning cream tiles, wooden details and black kettle on social media before, in a video shared by her son James. Whilst Carole confirmed that she’s got a traditional Aga which keeps it “always warm”. She went on to describe exactly how she and Michael like to use their kitchen and it’s apparently a focal point for the Middletons when they entertain too.

"I love a kitchen supper," Carole said. "Where I have a small number of guests. I'll cook something delicious and make it look lovely, then we'll finish with a kitchen disco."

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Kitchen discos sound like an excellent way to make use of the space and the Princess of Wales might well have been inspired by her mom's choice to make her kitchen a hub when they renovated their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall.

The renovations were discovered through a book about the late Queen Elizabeth, who reportedly let her feelings on the style be known.

Author of Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch, Sally Bedell Smith, once claimed to People, "I remember when they had just finished renovating Anmer Hall, and they invited the Queen over for lunch. They have one of those big kitchens with eating areas, and she said, 'I can't understand why everybody spends their time in the kitchen.'"

Kitchen trends come and go - and this one wasn't to Her Majesty's liking - but Agas like Carole’s are very traditional and the Kate's kitchen also has a rustic, farmhouse feel and a forest green range cooker.

Back in 2021 the Prince and Princess of Wales shared a montage of pictures of Kate, Prince George, Charlotte and Louis baking cakes for a Platinum Jubilee street party.

At the time the family hadn’t moved to Windsor so it’s likely the kitchen at Anmer Hall or Kensington Palace. Either way, it was stunning and also featured creamy wooden cabinets and a large, natural wood workbench, with Kate’s KitchenAid Artisan Mixer in a cream shade put to good use for the baking.

The neutral tones and classic detailing is something also evident in Carole’s kitchen and mother and daughter appear to have similar taste when it comes to the kitchen - the “heart” of their homes.

If you’re ever stuck on what to wear to the races (or any big occasion, really), Carole's the one to look to. She never fails to deliver an elegant ensemble and her ME+EM dress stood out on 18th June with its pastel tone.

When we think of Carole Middleton and the Princess of Wales’s style, perhaps the first word that springs to mind is "timeless". But that doesn’t mean they never adopt trends, albeit in a way that works for them.

Butter yellow has been hugely popular so far this season and a month after Kate wore this colour to a Garden Party, her mum did the same at Ascot. Technically, the base fabric is a peach shade, however running over the top is yellow lace that makes the dress look like a subtle pastel yellow.

Shop Carole Middleton's Ascot Outfit

The £325 Two Tone Lace Dress combines both opaque and sheer finishes, ensuring you get a good amount of coverage - as well as the effect of the lace. The body is lined with a peach underlayer to help with this and the attention-to-detail is why so many of us love this British clothing brand.

The lace is bespoke and has the yellow cord embroidery and the sleeves have a scalloped lace trim. Carole’s dress also has discreet hidden pockets and a slight puffed shoulder shape.

With its high neckline and long sleeves the sheerness is fully balanced and the Princess of Wales’s mother reminded me precisely why pastel tones are so stunning. Yes, butter yellow has been everywhere for months but there’s a reason for that.

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It’s a pale yellow with a muted undertone and this means it’s not so far away from being a neutral like beige or cream. So if you’re never sure about wearing a lot of colour, this is still worth giving a go for summer.

The peach and brighter yellow combination on Carole’s dress created a more mellow effect, certainly in pictures taken at Ascot. She complemented this with her suede clutch bag, court shoe heels and wide-brimmed hat.

All of these accessories were a neutral fawn colour which ensured that the ME+EM dress was the focal point of her outfit. Tan, brown, white and cream bags and shoes would also be perfect pairings with a butter yellow dress.

So would metallics and the warmth of gold makes it a better option to wear with yellow than silver. Given that Ascot is *not* the time for smart-casual outfits, Carole Middleton’s style choices make more sense and the lace does make it feel elevated.

A pale yellow shirt dress or sleeveless dress would work with trainers and flat sandals and a denim jacket if you wanted to be more casual.

The Princess of Wales’s mother tends to only attend Royal Ascot once annually, if she goes at all. It could well be that this ME+EM lace midi dress is the only style moment we get from her at this year’s races and it didn’t disappoint.

Carole Middleton is known for her elegant style, and her outfits for events like Royal Ascot always serve as good inspiration for sophisticated dressing.

Where she excels is adapting her fashion to the occasion, and for her many appearances at Wimbledon, Carole tends to keep her looks neutral and minimalist. But that doesn't mean boring – Carole is a pro at blending timeless styles with colorful accessories.

A great example is the outfit she wore to Wimbledon in 2017, which paired a simple white shift dress with a high crew neck and short sleeves with a peach Jaeger ‘Kate’ bag.

woman&home's Fashion Ecommerce Editor Caroline Parr says: "Carole's daughter Kate also owns this Jaeger bag in the navy colorway, and it's easy to see why they're both such big fans. The quilted finish has a distinctly Chanel feel to it, and it's the perfect size for all your essentials for a day out. Kate has continued to carry hers for years, which proves what a good investment a chic little bag can be."

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The bag was crafted from luxurious leather with a padded quilted finish to it that instantly drew the eye. It had gold-toned hardware for a touch of glamour and the warm undertone was perfect with the peachy-nude shade.

The soft hue of Carole’s quilted peach bag meant that it worked perfectly as a subtle contrast with her white dress. However, it would’ve looked just as fabulous with more vibrant items and a neutral bag, no matter the design, is such a versatile piece to have in your wardrobe for this very reason.

The Princess of Wales’s mum wore hers as a shoulder bag although the chain strap was retractable and so she could also have worn it as a crossbody bag or even a clutch.

Crossbody bags are everywhere right now, proving Carole's skill at picking out a timeless accessory.

Sadly, it’s no longer available although that won’t stop us (or any other handbag fans) being tempted by similar-toned crossbody bags on the market right now. The quilting made Carole Middleton’s bag stand out, although if smooth leather is something you prefer for an ultra-minimalist look then there are still so many to choose from.

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Carole’s choice of bag couldn’t have been more perfect for a day watching the tennis where it’s helpful to be hands-free and where only the essentials are needed. She finished off her look with a pair of sunglasses to shield her eyes from the sun and allowed the contrast of her white dress and peachy-nude bag to do all the talking.

This accessory clearly remained a favourite of Carole’s as she wore it again to Wimbledon in 2018 - this time with a polka dot shirt dress and nude and raffia wedges. We haven’t seen her attending the Championships for several years now and last time she was there she wore two fabulous floral dresses.

She opted for raffia and top handle bags for the two days rather than her quilted one, but both highlighted Carole’s continued love for neutral bags. We can only hope that we get another glimpse at her Jaeger bag during summer events this year as it’s possible she could return to watch Wimbledon 2024.

Like Kate, she’s understood to be a huge tennis fan and they’ve previously attended Wimbledon on the same day, with OK! claiming that it was to Carole and Michael Middleton that Kate adorably blew a kiss in 2022.

When Prince William married Kate Middleton in 2011, much of the focus was on Kate joining the Royal Family - but Prince William also became part of the Middleton clan.

And as it turns out, while Kate got plenty of titles in the marriage, William got something of a "second mom" in Carole, who has always been a rock to Kate, and has become a similar beacon of support for her son-in-law.

Making her first appearance at Royal Ascot in 2022 on June 19, Carole Middleton was seen chatting happily with members of the Royal Family, including the Prince of Wales. During this sunshine-filled day at the races, Prince William was pictured coming to Carole’s rescue after her heel became caught in the grass and they seemed to find the whole wardrobe mishap pretty hilarious.

Carole and Prince William are thought to share a great, close bond, and it’s now been suggested by psychiatrist Max Pemberton that in some ways, she’s like a "second mom" to him.

According to British tabloid The Mirror, Max suggested that Carole might be a "maternal figure" in the future King’s life and the Middletons offer a different kind of family dynamic to the one he himself grew up with.

"We all know how tricky life with in-laws can be. And yet sometimes, they provide an alternative type of family to ours, which is welcome," Max claimed. "It's said William considers Carole a second mum. Of course, he lost his own at a tender age, so Carole may represent that maternal figure he's lacked."

The royal columnist went on to suggest that the Middleton family also "give him a glimpse of the kind normal life he's never had."

Carole's "indispensable" role with William, Kate and their three children is not only helping them have a sense of "ordinary life", it's something that Max revealed can help someone to "flourish."

"The embrace of a new family, with its different perspectives and traditions, can be very healthy and help us to flourish," he added.

Perhaps the biggest indicator that this has been the case is that Prince William and Kate moved their family from London to Adelaide Cottage in 2022, to allow them to have something closer to the childhood Kate had growing up in nearby Berkshire.

Moreover, previously speaking to OK!, royal expert Duncan Larcombe suggested that the Prince of Wales is recreating the ‘Middleton model’ as he and Kate raise Prince George, Charlotte and Louis.

"Although there are some similarities, George is being raised in a very different way to Prince William," Duncan alleged. "William has based his children's upbringing on the Middleton model – three children, affluent, but hardworking parents and lots of love in the house."

"By the time Kate was in her early twenties, she counted her mother and father on the list of her best friends. That’s what William and Kate are aspiring to with their children, but they also have to drip-feed George, and to some extent Charlotte and Louis, into the public domain," he stated.

In their engagement interview back in 2010, Kate shared her hope that they would one day have their own happy family and explained how hers have always been there in challenging times.

"[Family is] very important to me. And I hope we will be able to have a happy family ourselves. They've been great over the years - helping me with difficult times. We see a lot of each other and they are very, very dear to me," she declared.

When it comes to beauty and style hacks, we're so used to getting inspiration from Kate Middleton that it's easy to forget where the Princess of Wales likely learnt a lot of her tips from - her mom.

Whether it's her take on understated party glam or argument for bringing back the skinny jeans (again), Carole brings a refined glamour and effortless touch of poise to her looks.

And this is also the case with her go-to makeup, favoring a fresh-faced look with statement eyes that help showcase how the best eyeliners can add dimension and impact to even the most subtle of makeup looks.

What Carole does that really stands out is wearing her eyeliner in the waterline - something often overlooked that could make a real impact.

Her choice of wearing eyeliner in the waterline hasn't gone unnoticed by woman&home’s Beauty Ecommerce Editor, Aleesha Badkar, who believes it gives Carole’s eyes “impact” and enhances her eye shape.

“Wearing eyeliner in her waterline adds impact to Carole’s makeup look,” Aleesha explained. “It helps to enhance the shape of her eyes and wearing eyeliner in this way is especially helpful in giving a more flattering almond-shaped appearance to the eye.”

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Aleesha also believes recreating Carole's makeup trick will help with the appearance of fuller-looking lashes. This is something that certainly shines through when Carole is pictured wearing eyeliner at special events, including at her regular Wimbledon appearances.

In 2022, she went for a bolder eye look in general and the blended waterline eyeliner helped to create this. To do this, Carole kept her base makeup and lip color even more neutral to balance it.

Carole has also shown that she’s not one to limit wearing black eyeliner in her waterline only for certain events or times of year. She’s been seen with a slightly softer eyeliner look at Ascot in 2022 and then during the winter in 2021 when she attended the Princess of Wales’s Together at Christmas carol concert with beautifully outlined eyes. On all of these occasions Carole’s eyeliner drew our gaze to her eyes and gave them fabulous definition.

This makeup preference is also something that’s very popular with the royals as Queen Letizia of Spain’s eyeliner is regularly applied to her waterline too. Speaking previously with womanandhome.com about Her Majesty’s looks, Sarah Amelia Fogg, Celebrity Makeup Artist and Founder of Brows by Sarah explained that eyeliner on the waterline “softens” the lash line.

“When applied correctly, eyeliner on your waterline enhances the eyes and adds depth making your lashes look and appear fuller. It also softens the lash line which avoids your best mascara looking too harsh compared to the rest of your makeup,” she said. "To replicate the look, I would recommend opting for a high-quality waterproof eyeliner pencil in a shade that compliments your eye color and makeup style.”

Although Carole and Queen Letizia both tend to wear black eyeliner, you could also try a light brown pencil if you want to add definition in a more understated way. Whichever color you choose, applying eyeliner to your waterline could be a simple habit to adopt that will enhance your eyes and can be worn all year round.

For Carole Middleton, who saw one daughter become the future queen and another start up her own happy family, her job as a mom seems mostly done.

However, there was still one "wistful" prediction she had involving her son, James Middleton, and his partner, Alizée Thevenet, that would turn out coming true.

The Middleton family were thrust into the spotlight after Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding in 2011.

Ever since that monumental day, the Princess of Wales' family have proven themselves to be popular fixtures in the press, attending major events like King Charles' Coronation or winning fans of their own through Pippa Middleton's chic outfits or James' successful business ventures.

As for Carole and Michael, the grandparents of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis have stepped up and proven "indispensable" to keeping the family unit together - and while she's discreet with her family's personal details, she occasionally offers rare glimpses.

One such example came in December 2018 when her "hope" for her son James and Alizée Thevenet was revealed. Speaking about her children and their partners, the she expressed a desire to have a "lovely" daughter-in-law.

Carole divulged to The Telegraph that her biggest fear as Kate, Pippa and James grew up was that she’d "lose [her] family" but she happily confirmed that they’ve "stayed close".

"I have two lovely sons-in-law and," she said before adding, in what the publication pondered could be a "wistful note", "I hope I’ll have a lovely daughter-in-law."

That same month as Carole shared her heartfelt hope for James, he and Alizée were photographed attending the Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund's Christmas Carol Service at St Luke's Church. At the time Alizée made a concerted effort to keep her face away from the cameras and it wasn’t until May 2019 that James shared his first picture of them as a couple publicly on Instagram.

It was just five months later in October 2019 the Princess of Wales’s brother confirmed the news that Carole had been wishing for - that he and Alizée were engaged and she was going to have a "lovely daughter-in-law". James and Alizée first met at the South Kensington Club, reportedly in the summer of 2018, and he famously credited his late spaniel Ella for introducing them.

"Ella was lying at my feet under the table; realising she might want some water, I trusted her to take herself over to the water bowl across the terrace. However, she made a beeline for Alizée," he wrote in The Telegraph in 2021. "Rather embarrassed, I went over to apologise and bring Ella back. But Alizée thought I was the waiter and ordered her drink while continuing to stroke Ella, who at this point was on her back lapping up the attention."

James added, "Little did I know, but I had just met my future wife, all thanks to Ella."

James and Alizée's wedding took place in September 2021, with the couple tying the knot in France, surrounded by their nearest and dearest including William and Kate.

For Mother’s Day in 2023, James shared a special photo of himself with Carole which reports have suggested could have been taken on his wedding day, with some claiming that he appears to be wearing the same suit.

James and Alizée have since welcomed their first child - a baby boy named Inigo, born September 21, 2023.

James treats fans to rare glimpses into his private life with his wife, son and animals.

Most recently, to celebrate his 38th birthday, James shared snippets of Alizee, Inigo and his pets soaking up country life, writing, "Fresh air, wagging tails, and the wild, beautiful rhythm of family life."

There are plenty of parents out there who have no doubt wished for a Mary Poppins of their own to come and get the house in order when things feel overwhelming - and for the Princess of Wales, she had this in the form of her own mother.

A royal source has claimed that Carole Middleton became something of a 'real Mary Poppins-like figure' to her three eldest grandchildren, stepping up and becoming a vital helper to Prince William and Kate Middleton as Kate faced her cancer treatment in 2024.

The source close to the Wales' spoke to The Independent in the United Kingdom about the irreplaceable role Kate's mom played in her grandchildren's lives, claiming "Carole has been the driving force keeping the family together with minimum fuss and maximum modesty".

They explained that Carole, who has always been thought of as Kate's rock and who has helped the Prince and Princess of Wales have an ordinary life, supported her grandchildren and was always on hand to keep their schedules as normal as possible, always on hand to ferry them around their various extracurricular activities.

"She’s ferried and fetched George, Louis and Charlotte, taken them to school sports matches and given them endless support. She’s been a real Mary Poppins-like figure," the source continued.

It's also been claimed that the Princess of Wales's mother embodied the 'three R’s' when it comes to her family. "She’s come to the rescue, provided reassurance, and has been a rock to Catherine and William as they come to terms with the news," the source said.

Carole went into "Mary Poppins" mode for the family after the Princess of Wales confirmed she was undergoing cancer treatment following her abdominal surgery at the start of 2024.

In a poignant video released on social media at the time, Catherine revealed, "In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present."

She added in the video, "My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment."

Carole going above and beyond for her family is nothing new. Royal Journalist, Katie Nicholl, has previously claimed on the True Royalty documentary Kate Middleton: Heir We Go Again, "One of the things that allows William and Kate to be so ordinary is the presence of the Middletons in their lives."

"Carole is a regular through those golden gates at Kensington Palace. She whizzes through in her Land Rover. There is no security because everybody knows her. She turns up to help with bedtime and bath time," said the royal expert. "She is absolutely indispensable."

Of course, the family have been living at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor since 2022, which means that the young royal family are closer than ever to their grandmother who is located in the same county and just a 45-minute drive from her grandchildren.

As a parent to three children herself, Catherine, Princess of Wales knows just how much effort it can take - which is why she's always quick to praise her own parents for everything they "sacrificed" for her, sister Pippa Middleton and brother James growing up.

The close relationship between Kate and her parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, is one that's only got stronger over the years. Carole has always been Kate's 'rock' and it was suggested that being closer to Michael and Carole in Berkshire was one factor that inspired Prince William and Kate's family move to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor.

And it's easy to see why Kate continues to lean on her parents, as she talked lovingly of how "dedicated" the pair were while appearing on Giovanna Fletcher's Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast in 2020.

The Princess of Wales reflected upon her idyllic childhood, explaining how Carole and Michael "sacrificed" their free time to cheer them on at all their sporting events.

"I had a very happy childhood. It was great fun. I’m very lucky I come from a very strong family. My parents were hugely dedicated," Kate shared. "I really appreciate now as a parent how much they sacrificed for us. They came to every sports match, they’d be the ones on the side-line shouting, and we’d always have our family holidays together."

It seems that since becoming a mom herself, Kate has come to value Carole and Michael’s unwavering commitment to supporting their children’s hobbies in a slightly different way. Kate’s memories of playing matches and seeing Carole and Michael Middleton on the side-lines cheering have clearly had a huge impact upon her.

She’s been pictured attending one of Prince George’s football matches before and has often discussed her children’s favourite hobbies.

During a different podcast appearance in 2023, Kate also revealed that her well-known love of sports come from her parents' support and encouragement.

"I suppose as a family we were just very active. And I can always remember being physical, using our bodies, whether it's walking, climbing the lake district in Scotland [or] swimming from a young age," she said on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast. "[My parents] always encouraged us to be physically active and sporty and they always encouraged us into doing team sports and trying things."

William and Kate seem to be continuing this tradition, as we already know Prince George is proving to be an ace on the tennis court, having had a lesson from Roger Federer, and Princess Charlotte is a massive fan of ballet.

Whilst the Princess of Wales seems to be taking a similar approach to her parents, their decision to be there at every sports match isn’t the only sacrifice they’ve made. Writing previously in the Mail on Sunday’s You magazine, Kate Mansey claimed that while the public "may not have noticed", Carole allegedly accompanied the Waleses on their tour of Australia and New Zealand in 2014 so she could "help with Prince George".

If this is correct then Carole selflessly spent three weeks away from home to assist with childcare and as she was believed to have still been running her former business, Party Pieces, day-to-day.

This was such a heartfelt gesture from Carole and one that was likely very much appreciated by the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The mother of Catherine, Princess of Wales, Carole Middleton, has been spotted in various pairs of jeans over the years, nailing smart-casual outfits and off-duty looks by styling them with expertly chosen accessories that make her look put-together and expensive.

Finding the best jeans for your body type can be quite the mission, especially when we're being pulled between wide leg fits and the now back-in-style skinny jean. But Carole proved that straight leg styles will always be a staple part of any capsule wardrobe, no matter the season.

One of her looks that was shared on the Instagram account for her former company Party Pieces shows her trick for taking your jeans to the next level: a well-chosen tan belt.

Back in September 2021, a post shared on the account showed Carole looking radiant with a bronzed summer complexion, wearing a pair of dark wash blue jeans.

With a frayed, raw hem that grazed the ankle and a wide cut down the leg, Carole put together the perfect comfy, casual outfit by pairing her pants with some lace-up blue sneakers and a simple camel-toned blouse.

The snap, which was shot by photographer Liz Mcaulay, showed Carole looking cool and laid-back as she posed on a ladder. And it was her tan leather belt that tied her look together in a simple yet chic way, complementing the tones in her shirt and her rich hair colour.

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Proving the versatility of both her jeans and the tanned belt, Carole wore both in another photograph shared on the Party Pieces page in October 2021.

This time, she tried out the divisive double denim trend, teaming the rich blue jeans with a light wash button up denim shirt. Again, Carole's skin boasted a sun-kissed glow, although it's not clear whether she had been soaking up the rays on holiday or if she is partial to a layer of fake tan for mature skin.

Either way, the bronzed look combined with the ultra summery combination of blue tones in the denim were the perfect backdrop for her brown leather belt with plaited detailing on the loops to make another appearance.

Skinny jeans are back (again) - and we'll be styling them just like Carole Middleton, whose timeless style is ideal for spring.

It's clear both the Princess of Wales and Pippa Middleton have inherited their love for skinny jeans from their mother, Carole Middleton. The streamlined style is a staple in all of their closets, though they style them in very different ways. We can learn a lot from Carole's styling tricks when it comes to skinny pants, especially if you've already found the best jeans for your body type and feel a little daunted about the new trending style.

woman&home's Fashion Ecommerce Editor Caroline Parr says: "Skinny jeans will always be on trend, if you ask me. They're a staple, and so easy to style with everything from minimalist T-shirts to sequins for evening. There's a reason you rarely see Kate, Carole or Pippa wearing any other type of denim."

So if you’ve not tried skinny jeans for a while, Carole's 2021 outfit is the ideal inspiration. Her former business, Party Pieces, shared a snap to their Instagram of Carole, which was taken by photographer Liz Mcauley, and showed the mum-of-three smiling in a pair of mid-blue skinny jeans with a pair of timeless suede boots and a baby blue sweater finishing off the look beautifully.

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The jeans sat a flattering ankle grazer length, with the beautiful vintage-style wash bringing a touch of bold blue in to complement the sweater. The denim tone is a bit brighter than Carole tends to wear, with both her and the Princess of Wales more usually being drawn to darker denim tones. These deeper shades tend to feel a bit smarter and less off-duty casual than lighter ones, and this works well for both mother and daughter’s signature smart-casual styles.

Further leaning into that elevated feel is the sleek and streamlined silhouette of Carole's skinny jeans. Compared to looser and more relaxed designs like boyfriend jeans or straight leg jeans, you get a much more elevated and put-together feel. And it also makes the style really versatile, as they can work if you want to dress them up with heeled boots and a blouse or dress them down with sneakers and a chunky sweater.

The way Carole wore her pants was so classic as she opted for tan suede ankle boots with a low heel and a light blue funnel neck knit. Suede boots add textural contrast to an outfit, and though they’ve had a resurgence recently, like skinny jeans, they never really go out of fashion.

A great styling tip we can learn from Carole’s looks is the length of her jeans, with her ankle boots perfectly grazing the hemline. It's all about attention-to-detail which elevated this casual-feeling look.

Another trick she used was to leave her sweater draped over the top of the jean waistband. Of course, a French tuck will always be oh-so chic, but going for a looser fit with your top is a failsafe approach that balances out the more figure-hugging shape of skinny jeans.

It’s not necessary to wear only the chunkiest of your best wool sweaters either, but as long as your knitwear, shirt or long-sleeved top has a moderately oversized shape this will have this effect. The Princess of Wales’s mother kept to the lighter color palette of her jeans and boots with her choice of a baby blue sweater, which complemented these other items.

It had ribbed trims and a high neckline for coziness and although Carole wore this particular look in January 2021, the pared-back designs and harmonious colors mean this wouldn’t look at all out of place in spring 2025. We can definitely imagine her re-wearing this entire outfit today and this is the beauty of the way she styled her skinny jeans so simply, but elegantly.

While floral prints may not be groundbreaking, they really are timeless and will bring a pretty and feminine feel to your wardrobe that will work for any season. Whether you opt for extra-large blooms or delicate botanicals, a flowery pattern is often a little easier to wear than other classic prints like leopard print or polka dots, and if you’re looking to invest in a dress for a special occasion, then florals are a safe bet in the style stakes.

I’ve recently RSVP’d to a friend's big day, and while looking for best wedding guest dresses, I stumbled across the Nobody’s Child Erin Dress. The empire line, button front and V-neck combined with the pastel-toned petals instantly grabbed my attention, and it reminds me very much of a gorgeous dress that Carole Middleton wore to Wimbledon a couple of years ago.

Her daughter, the Princess of Wales, might often steal headlines for her sartorial choices, but it's clear where she learnt her fashion know-how from, as Carole always looks fabulous. This dress was spot on for a day at the tennis. Covered in vintage-style florals, she styled it perfectly for a summer's day with a round rattan bag.

"When the sun comes out, floral dresses are sure to follow and Carole Middleton loves wearing hers to everything from Wimbledon to Ascot," says woman&home's Digital Royal Editor, Emma Shacklock. "Her blue one from 2022 is one of my favourites and it epitomises everything I love about Carole's signature style - it's timeless, elegant and easy to wear."

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The high street version of Carole’s dress will look equally as special, and will make a wise choice for a wedding, a day at the races or even a fancy lunch with friends. The gentle colours will work well with shimmery gold and silver accessories, or take a note from Carole and add a woven bag and a pair of espadrilles. The key to styling your blooms is to keep your accessories pared-back and to a minimum - just keep things simple and let your dress have its moment!

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Flower-covered buys really are timeless, and can be worn again and again without looking dated or off-trend. Buy your botanical-inspired dress now and it really will look blooming gorgeous for years to come.

Carole Middleton may have worn this sultry red midi dress over a decade ago, but the timeless look is one we'll always draw inspiration from, and her elegant hairstyle topped the look off beautifully.

The Princess of Wales's mother wore the striking piece for a family night back in 2012, but her timeless look is one you could easily recreate now. The flattering cut of a classic pencil dress paired with a simple pair of black court pumps is one that will never go out of fashion.

"Red will always make a memorable and striking alternative to a little black dress," says woman&home Fashion Ecommerce Editor Caroline Parr. "Carole's style is so simple with its bracelet-length sleeves and minimal detail. It allows the head-turning colour and flawless fit to do all the talking!"

Carole's simple updo hairstyle really lets the simple neckline shine, with 3/4 length sleeves and well-tailored shoulders leaning into that timeless, trend-less look.

Accessorizing with a simple, dainty chain and stud earrings stops the look from being too over the top and lets the dress do all the talking, as does the choice of simple black heels.

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No matter the length and style of your hair, an updo like Carole's is a great style that can add some timeless charm into any outfit you put together - and with some insight from the experts, recreating her look can be made incredibly simple.

According to experts, sometimes they key to getting the perfect updo can be as easy as keeping your styling simple but effective. "Don’t overcomplicate it," Kiki Koh, the Creative Director at John Frieda, told us.

"To look chic, it needs to look effortless. Even if you went to a salon, it needs to look like you could have done it yourself."

Every time the Princess of Wales or her siblings talk about their childhood, it’s clear how close the Middleton family have always been - and will always be. Speaking recently to Hello!, Kate’s brother James has now described how "fortunate" he was to have multiple mother figures when he was growing up.

As the youngest in the family, he admitted that he got "away with quite a lot", but added that he jokingly says he had "three mothers growing up". Alongside his actual mum Carole, his sisters Kate and Pippa were people he looked up to and could always turn to.

"I had my mother and my two sisters, who were mothering figures to me. I was very fortunate," he said. "We had a fantastic childhood, and they included me in everything they did, and still do. I'm now in my late 30s and we still have that friendship."

The Princess of Wales is five years older than James and Pippa is four years older. Even though James’s comments were light-hearted, his admiration for his older sisters and how they continue to look out for each other couldn’t have been more honest or heartfelt.

Each of the Middleton siblings now has families of their own and busy lives, but they still make time for plenty of family visits. According to James, he, Kate and Pippa were brought up to be grateful for every moment with their loved ones.

He explained, "We're a close family, and we’re fortunate in that we see lots of each other. My parents play a good role in getting us all together in that respect. We've been brought up knowing that you can't take family for granted."

"You don't get to choose them, as you can choose your friends. But I don't think you can give up on your family like you can sometimes with friends," James added.

This sentiment is something that probably really strikes a chord with James, as he’s been incredibly open in the past about how his family all rallied round when he was struggling with his mental health and battling depression.

In an interview with The Telegraph back in 2019 James shared that "all" of the Middletons, including the future Queen, joined him for some therapy sessions.

This was "actually a very, very big thing", he said, before revealing that it was "so important because that helped them understand me and how my mind was working."

"And I think the way the therapy helped me was that I didn’t need my family to say, "What can we do?" The only thing they could do was just come to some of the therapy sessions to start to understand," he continued.

Their unwavering support and desire to understand his experience meant a huge amount to James Middleton. Over the years Kate has been a high-profile advocate for mental health support as well, particularly with regards to young people.

In 2023 the Princess gave a passionate speech to mark World Mental Health Day at a forum in Birmingham in which she reflected on why it’s so vital to focus on this.

"It is important, however, to remind ourselves of the big picture as we meet here today. What are we trying to improve by focusing our efforts on mental health? Ultimately, we are working to build a happier, healthier world.

"We want to shape fairer, safer, kinder, more equal societies—societies that seek the common good and a better future together," she declared.

It’s her belief that if we all talk about mental health with this at the forefront of our minds, it "need not have so many negative connotations" and we can "normalise it" as something we all have and need.

Carole Middleton’s high-waisted jeans and satin shirt were a sophisticated combination that’s still right on trend for 2025.

We all love jeans for their comfort factor and more relaxed feel but you don’t have to cast your favourite pairs aside when you want a more sophisticated look. Tailored trousers are great but jeans can be dressed up easily and Carole Middleton is the expert at creating smart-casual outfits with them. Her high-waisted deep blue jeans that she wore in a picture for her former business, Party Pieces, back in 2021 are a gorgeous example of this - and they’re right on trend for 2025 too! Denim trends come and go but for 2025 darker washes are officially back.

This is great news for those of us who love indigo or midnight blue washes and Carole tends to favour darker shades too. They naturally feel more formal and her jeans from 2021 were deep blue, with statement buttons on the front. We couldn’t see much of them in the picture taken by photographer Liz Mcauley but they made a real impact.

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The buttons looked to be tortoiseshell and had a shiny finish which was a lovely contrast against the blue denim. The dark blue shade of Carole’s jeans is one of those spring/summer fashion trends for 2025 we can get behind as it’s easy to dress up with tailored jackets and heels and doesn’t seem as casual as light-wash denim.

The Princess of Wales’s mother has a generally smart-casual style and her jeans would give a polished edge to an off-duty outfit too. We couldn’t see the shape of the bottom of this pair, but from the waistband it looks as though they might have been wide-leg or straight-leg jeans. These are quite different to her beloved skinny jeans but Carole has stepped out in looser styles in recent years, showing that she’s not unwaveringly loyal to this streamlined shape.

The buttons on her jeans were arranged in a neat square formation and were very distinctive and vintage-esque. We’d always recommend going for a high-rise cut like Carole’s jeans if you want to accentuate your waist. High-waisted jeans are also great when you want to tuck in your tops to create a streamlined silhouette.

She wore her jeans with a satin shirt in the Party Pieces picture. It had a feminine pussybow neckline, flowing sleeves and delicate pleats at the front giving it extra structure. The soft champagne colour was complemented by the sheen of the fabric and we can imagine Carole wearing this as part of different date night outfits.

Satin always feels quite glamorous and it continues to be very popular in 2025, with everything from satin skirts to slip dresses and nightwear making an appearance on the high street. Paired with denim and you’re on to a winning outfit formula - as Carole Middleton showed in 2021. She accessorised with subtle pearl drop earrings and we would have worn suede ankle boots or ballet flats to complete this ensemble.

Carole Middleton wore an elegant white tie front jacket for a special evening out back in 2011 long before they became a trend.

When your signature style is as classic as Carole Middleton's, it's no surprise that when trends come and go she’s very often been ahead of the curve and worn it already at some point. This is true of collarless jackets which the Princess of Wales’ mum has loved for years as well as her tie front jacket from back in 2011. Tie front pieces surged in popularity last year and although they can be daunting with their skin-bearing design, this doesn’t have to be the case, especially if you go for a jacket, cardigan or waistcoat that you can layer a top under.

Carole wore her white tie front jacket over a simple black knee length dress to create a stunning date night outfit for an evening at the Palladium Theatre. She and Michael Middleton attended the Venezuela Viva gala performance together and her jacket was longline, with a neat collar.

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The three quarter length sleeves were subtly puffed at the top to give more structure and the jacket had three ribbon details running across the front. These were the only fastenings for the jacket and even if they had some discreet press studs for security as well, they certainly created the chic look of a tie front style.

The minimalist design and classic white tone of Carole’s blazer made it very versatile as an evening jacket and it worked so well with her black dress underneath. She allowed the stark colour contrast to make an impact all on its own and accentuated this with a pair of timeless black court heels and a bag that appeared to have the strap tucked inside to make it a clutch.

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Aside from the gold-toned hardware on her bag, the Princess of Wales’s mum went for a fully monochrome look and this is rather unusual to see from her nowadays. As a special evening look it had a Chanel-esque feel, particularly with the quilting on her clutch. This outfit was such a sophisticated way to wear a tie front piece and it’s become a great source of inspiration for us now that these styles are everywhere.

Tie front jackets and tops naturally feel quite feminine and formal thanks to the ribbons at the front and so they work quite well with more sleek and tailored dresses for an evening look. However, you can also easily dress them down and layering is one of our favourite tie front top styling hacks as simply by adding a white T-shirt underneath they look more casual.

A jumper would also work well under a tie front jacket and adding a pair of blue jeans makes this into an everyday ensemble that feels put together but relaxed. With a more statement design like tie fronts we prefer going simple like Carole did when it comes to the rest of what we’re wearing.

It was an elegant evening out 14 years ago and would be such an on-trend ensemble if Carole Middleton were to re-wear this jacket with something similar in 2025. Unfortunately we haven’t seen her bring out this jacket publicly since then but it’s possible that she still has it in her collection and shares the Princess of Wales’s love of keeping her old favourite items.

Carole Middleton’s flared jeans from 20 years ago are right on trend today and they’re easy to dress up or down to suit any occasion.

The Princess of Wales’s mother is one of those people whose style has remained effortlessly elegant, no matter the decade or the occasion. So many of her outfits from the years before Kate became a member of the Royal Family are still something we’d wear now and her love of denim has never wavered. She might be seen more often nowadays wearing gorgeous midi dresses to more formal events, but for low key outings Carole has always loved a good pair of jeans.

Like Kate, skinny jeans have been one of her go-to styles for a long time, but Carole’s flared jeans from 2005 are a stunning alternative that are still right on trend now, 20 years later. She wore them to the Spirit of Christmas Shopping Festival with the Princess of Wales and they’re a great choice for daily wear when you want comfortable jeans that make you feel put-together.

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Carole’s jeans were on the subtle side and flared out from the knee down, but were more streamlined at the top. We often find skinny jeans uncomfortable over our calves by the end of the day, but the looser silhouette of flares avoids this whilst still having a more fitted top half to balance out the bottom hems.

The Princess of Wales’s mother appeared to be wearing a mid-rise pair of flared jeans and we’re not at all surprised that she opted for a darker tone. When it comes to jeans, lighter shades often feel a lot more casual and Carole Middleton’s signature style is typically quite smart-casual even for day-to-day outings. She’s always favoured indigo and mid-blue washes and the deeper colour of her flares in 2005 gave them a more elevated feel.

Once you’ve found the best jeans for your body type it’s all-too-tempting to stick with that design, but flares are a style that woman&home’s Digital Fashion Writer Molly Smith believes have a "timeless quality" and would definitely work in 2025.

"Whilst denim trends come and go, flares will always remain my ultimate go-to," she says. "The flared silhouette is flattering, and there is a timeless quality about this style that I believe will always be in fashion. Pair yours with a fitted blazer for a smart-casual feel or a satin blouse for a dressed-up occasion."

We’ve seen more relaxed jeans like flares and wide-leg jeans become increasingly popular in recent years and this is showing no sign of changing in 2025. However, as Molly said, flared jeans like Carole Middleton’s will always be a classic choice and they’re easy to elevate or make more casual.

The Princess of Wales’s mum wore hers with low-heeled black ankle boots, a matching black blazer with a cosy faux fur scarf and carried the Mulberry Helier bag. This combination was chic but low-key for a day browsing the stalls at Spirit of Christmas with Kate, but she could have made it more comfortable still with a pair of her best white trainers and a longline coat. To take it up a notch for a slightly more formal occasion, we would have gone for higher heeled boots and a black shirt or fitted jumper and sparkling jewellery.

Ultimately, though, you can style flared jeans like Carole’s in exactly the same way you would wear skinny jeans to create an ensemble that looks so put-together but is comfy and on trend for 2025.

The little black dress. Every woman has one, because, if all else fails, the LBD will never let you down.

There are many reasons for the enduring popularity of the little black dress – from it being a timeless classic to being one of the most flattering dresses to hide a tummy – the stylish possibilities are endless. Plus pulling on your favourite LBD gives you quite a confidence boost that's hard to replicate.

When we think of this versatile piece, Carole Middleton's black satin midi dress from the last 2000s always springs to mind. The length, fit, neckline and material all came together to form a classic look with the most beautiful silhouette. Way ahead of its time, satin is a fashion trend back with force this year – proving Carole was way ahead of the curve with her classic piece.

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Carole – who is not only a ‘rock’ to the Princess of Wales but also a style icon who has twinned with her daughter over the years – attended an event raising funds hosted by Kate back in 2008.

Looking elegant, Carole opted for a beautiful cocktail dress, cinched in at the waist to create a beautiful silhouette. The square neckline with thin shoulder straps and minimal accessories – opting for just a thin necklace – gave a clean, classic silhouette and a look that would be sophisticated in any decade.

Keeping the rest of her look as timeless, Carole wore a pair of opaque black tights and black pumps.

While Carole's photo is a throwback, simple black dresses are having a moment in 2025, too.

Scarlett Johansson's LBD for Saturday Night Live's 50th special was a wow moment, with the actress showcasing how to add plenty of sparkle to a black dress, and on the other end of the spectrum, Oscar-nominated star Mikey Madison walked the red carpet of the Independent Spirit Film Awards showing how to radiate glamour while just wearing a simple dress with no accessories.

From Carole Middleton in 2008 to the biggest stars of 2025, it's clear to see that the Little Black Dress is still the biggest name in fashion.

Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales are said to be enjoying a half-term break in a private paradise where Carole Middleton is reportedly staying.

Many of us will have been dreaming of a winter getaway these past few months and the Prince and Princess of Wales have now reportedly swapped freezing February in the UK for the Caribbean sunshine. On 11th February Kensington Palace confirmed that the couple wouldn’t be attending the 2025 BAFTAs, but that the future King would appear via a recorded message during the awards. It was thought that his and Kate’s absence could potentially have been due to a desire to spend time with Prince George, Charlotte and Louis after their half-term began on 14th.

Now the Mail on Sunday has claimed that the Waleses are spending the school break on the privately owned island of Mustique. Not only that, but Kate’s mum Carole Middleton is apparently also there and is said to have been on the island for several days before her family arrived.

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According to the publication, Prince William, Kate and their children are all believed to have flown business class, with a source alleging that the family flew to St Lucia before taking a private flight to Mustique. They add that it is thought that Carole is there too and that she supposedly had been there for "several days" before her daughter arrived. Mustique is owned by a private company and paparazzi aren’t allowed.

This makes it a peaceful haven for Kate and Prince William where they will be totally out of the public eye as they spend some quality time together as a family. The exclusive Caribbean island has long been a favourite of the royals, with the late Princess Margaret once describing it as the "only place" she could ever relax. The Middletons have also often holidayed there and Carole’s reported February trip comes just a few weeks after her 70th birthday.

It’s not known how she marked the occasion with her nearest and dearest at the time, but in 2015 the mum-of-three celebrated her 60th on Mustique and Kate, Prince William and the then-18-month-old Prince George joined her. It’s possible that if she and the Wales family are indeed spending half-term in the Caribbean, there could be some nod to Carole’s milestone 70th birthday during their trip, or that this could be in some way tied into her celebrations.

Either way, she will no doubt be delighted to spend time with her daughter, son-in-law and Wales grandchildren. The Prince and Princess of Wales tend to try and arrange their schedules so they can be there for Prince George, Charlotte and Louis’s school holidays as much as possible. Especially after the challenging past year when Kate was undergoing cancer treatment, prioritising time with loved ones when they can is something she and Prince William are even more committed to doing.

The future Queen revealed this in a special message released alongside a video by Will Warr in September, where she said that she and Prince William had been reminded to "reflect and be grateful" for the "simple yet important things in life", of loving and being loved.

This approach is something that has been clear since Kate resumed royal duties in 2025 and the couple’s recent Valentine’s Day picture highlighted a candid moment. Prince William, Kate and their children have a week to enjoy more "simple yet important" times together before term resumes and they return to Adelaide Cottage.

Carole Middleton has reportedly "always" been Kate’s "rock" as her family's "unflappable" matriarch.

From the moment the Princess of Wales was thrust into the royal spotlight her mum Carole Middleton has been by her side supporting her throughout all the ups and downs. Carole has been described as "indispensable" when it comes to helping out when Prince George, Charlotte and Louis were young. It’s now been suggested that Carole has "always been" her daughter’s rock thanks to her "strength". Opening up to Hello! about their mother-daughter bond, royal expert and author Ingrid Seward suggested that Carole’s support has been more important than ever over the past year when Kate underwent cancer treatment.

"Carole has always been a rock for Kate, especially this past year - she's been amazing. I have met her a couple of times and the word that keeps coming back to me is 'strength'," Ingrid said. "I imagine her as a sort of pioneer woman driving a wagon with a rifle at her feet, and three children in the back, fighting off any enemy. Basically, that's what she's been doing all her life, isn't it?"

The Princess of Wales confirmed she was in remission back in January after previously sharing the news in September that she had completed treatment. Prince William paused royal duties for a time whilst Kate was undergoing treatment and according to Ingrid, when he resumed them, it was "unflappable" Carole who stepped in to help the couple.

The royal expert claimed, "Carole is a really helpful, practical and unflappable mum and grandmother. Rather than ask what she can do, she just gets on with it; she’s very proactive. When William went back to royal duties, she was doing the school run and probably doing things like filling the freezer with the kids' favourite foods."

Ingrid, who wrote My Mother and I, believes that looking after Prince George, Charlotte and Louis would have been "absolutely no problem" for their granny. More than that, she believes that Kate would "have been able to relax", safe in the knowledge that Carole’s "hand was on the wheel" at this unimaginably difficult time.

"She has been both a physical and emotional support to Kate," the expert added. "The Middletons are a traditional family, which is why William enjoyed being around them so much. When things go wrong, they pull together under Carol's direction. She is the matriarch of this family and they all take her advice because they have great respect for their mum."

In the video by Will Warr posted alongside the Princess of Wales’s message in September we saw a glimpse of the family sitting around the kitchen table with Carole and Michael Middleton, playing cards. It was such a special and joyful moment that clearly meant a lot to Kate for her to include it and Carole and Michael were the only non-royals who featured.

Meanwhile, the Princess of Wales explained in her engagement interview in 2010 how important her family is to her and how much help they’ve been whenever she’s needed them most.

"I hope we will be able to have a happy family ourselves. They've been great over the years - helping me with difficult times. We see a lot of each other and they are very, very dear to me," Kate shared.

To this day, they still see a lot of each other and in 2018 Carole confirmed to The Telegraph that despite her "biggest fear" being that she'd "lose" her family as her kids grew up, they've "stayed close".

In her first ever interview, Carole Middleton asked a question that spoke volumes about her focus and work ethic - and it reminded us of Princess Anne.

When the Princess of Wales married into the Royal Family it wasn’t just her who found herself thrust into the public eye like never before, but her family too. Over the years her parents Carole and Michael Middleton and siblings James and Pippa have been invited to plenty of significant royal occasions, including King Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronation in 2023. Kate’s proud mum has also given several interviews about her former business, Party Pieces, and shared rare insights into her family.

Her first ever interview was with The Telegraph back in 2018 and despite supposedly being "nervous" for this big moment, Carole went on to ask a hilarious question that we couldn’t admire more - and it was *very* Princess Anne-esque. The team on the photoshoot reportedly told interviewer Lisa Armstrong that Carole "doesn’t do sofas".

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"Two things you need to know. Carole’s very, very nervous, and she doesn’t do sofas," they claimed the night before she went to interview her. "When we asked her to perch on one,’ they continued, ‘Carole’s response was, "Who sits around on a sofa?"’

This is such a brilliant response from Carole Middleton and it was noted that for the interview in Berkshire she arrived at the Party Pieces boardroom and "immediately" took Lisa on a tour rather than sitting down. It seems that the Princess of Wales’s mum much prefers being up and about and threw herself into her work at the party supplies business.

This work ethic and focus on being hands-on is the approach taken by her daughter’s aunt-in-law Princess Anne. Famously no-nonsense and committed to her duties, the Princess Royal told Vanity Fair in 2020 that during the day "eating’s not really an issue". An aide went on to suggest that she never stops for refreshments until her work is over for the day.

Princess Anne viewed her late parents Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip as "role models" and spoke of how, like them, she views her job as "service" and of the utmost importance.

"It’s not just about, ‘Can I get a tick in the box for doing this?’ No, it’s about serving…. It comes from an example from both my parents’ way of working and where they saw their role being. I mean, my father served. It was a more direct form of service, I suppose you could argue," she said. "And the Queen’s has been a lifelong service in a slightly different way, but they both have that perspective of service which is about working with people."

She and self-confessed "night owl" Carole love being on the go and Princess Anne has been one of the most hard-working royals year after year. The Princess of Wales’s mum is now a busy grandmother-of-seven and her preference for activity extends into her hobbies too.

Kate is known to be very sporty - as are Prince George, Charlotte and Louis - and her parents inspired this love of getting outdoors.

"I suppose as a family we were just very active. And I can always remember being physical, using our bodies, whether it's walking, climbing the lake district in Scotland [or] swimming from a young age," she declared on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast in 2023. "[My parents] always encouraged us to be physically active and sporty and they always encouraged us into doing team sports and trying things."