Carole and Michael Middleton's sacrifices for Kate's childhood that she's never forgotten
Carole and Michael Middleton's sacrifices to support their children are something the Princess of Wales once spoke about on a podcast
![Composite of Michael and Carole Middleton at Wimbledon in 2021 and Kate Middleton at the opening of Evelina London's new children's day surgery unit in 2023](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mJh7en4XtKdMb6GWdx9rSh-415-80.jpg)
Carole and Michael Middleton's sacrifices for Kate’s childhood are something that she’s never forgotten.
The Princess of Wales’s parents have continued to play a vital part in her life since she became a royal. Over the years Carole Middleton in particular has been described as "indispensable" and a regular visitor at Kensington Palace to help with Prince George, Charlotte and Louis’s bedtime before the Wales family moved to Adelaide Cottage. The families now live closer to each other and Kate has previously reflected upon how "dedicated" Carole and Michael are. So much so that they "sacrificed" a lot for Kate and her siblings, Pippa and James growing up and she came to appreciate this even more as an adult.
Speaking to Giovanna Fletcher on her Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast in 2020, the Princess of Wales reflected upon her idyllic childhood. It was then that she explained how Carole and Michael "sacrificed" their free time to cheer them on at all their sporting events.
Kate: The Future Queen by Katie Nicholl | £7.91 at Amazon
Published in 2013 and written by Vanity Fair's Royal Correspondent Katie Nicholl, this fascinating biography explores the life of the now-Princess of Wales. It features intriguing facts and commentary about her life, including her early years and her romance with Prince William.
"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 mum 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.
A post shared by The Prince and Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales)
A photo posted by on
During another podcast appearance last year Kate explained how her parents encouraged her love of sports when she was a child.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
"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."
Carrying this lesson through to her parenting approach, the senior royal now encourages Prince George, Charlotte and Louis to try different things too. Kate explained at a visit to Nottingham Trent University in 2023 that whilst at university she’d gone to plenty of clubs and that "it’s one of the things with [her] kids too, just trying out new things".
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 whilst 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 at the time she might have had to work around the time difference too. This was such a heartfelt gesture from Carole and one that was likely very much appreciated by the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!
-
Gorgeous wedding guest makeup looks for women over 40 to bookmark now and recreate later
We've handpicked some of the best wedding guest makeup looks for women over 40 for the next time you attend someone's nuptials
By Lucy Abbersteen Published
-
32 natural makeup tips for women over 40
Try these natural makeup tips for a glowy 'no makeup' makeup look
By Aleesha Badkar Published
-
The personal touch on Kate Middleton and Prince William's wedding tables that you'll want to take note of if you're planning a wedding
The Prince and Princess of Wales apparently made a special decision when it came to their wedding tables that fans might not know about
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton and Prince William ignored this royal tradition, and it will 'strengthen their family unit'
The Prince and Princess of Wales made a choice for Prince George, Charlotte and Louis that strayed from an established royal tradition
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
The Buckingham Palace privilege Kate and Prince William received from Queen Elizabeth that no-one else has had since
The Prince and Princess of Wales are still the last royals to have received a rare Buckingham Palace privilege after plans were changed
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton and Prince William’s ‘unusual’ decision for George, Charlotte and Louis as they ‘can’t undo destiny’
The Prince and Princess of Wales's parenting approach is reportedly quite 'unusual' and they're following in the Middletons' footsteps
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton shares new Prince George photo on his 11th birthday - and he looks so grown up
The Prince and Princess of Wales have released a new photograph of Prince George to mark his 11th birthday
By Caitlin Elliott Published
-
Kate Middleton’s ‘quick’ fashion formula for an elegant outfit works with a ‘busy lifestyle’ and we’re taking notes
The Princess of Wales has found a signature style approach that works for her and we love how easy it is to recreate ourselves
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton’s tradition with Princess Charlotte is so adorable and it shows how much their shared passion means to them
The Princess of Wales revealed that she and Princess Charlotte had taken up a sweet activity together during the Wimbledon championships
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton’s luxurious Lip Perfector is currently the cheapest it’s been for a very long time and we’re buying several shades
The Princess of Wales was pictured using her Clarins Lip Perfector at Wimbledon in 2019 and we've found it with 20% off right now
By Emma Shacklock Published