Pippa Middleton's family life in 'Berkshire mansion' with husband James Matthews keeps bond with Kate 'balanced'
Pippa Middleton and the Princess of Wales have kept their bond 'fairly balanced' over years in the royal spotlight, according to a royal expert
When it comes to the Princess of Wales's close bond with her sister, Pippa, it's their humour over royal protocol, open chats and Pippa's marriage to 'wealthy' James Matthews that has kept things 'balanced' over the years, a royal expert says.
Flashback to April 2011 and Pippa Middleton was one of the most talked about people at Kate Middleton and Prince William's wedding, with the big day thrusting her into the royal spotlight as her sister married into The Firm.
Since then, life has changed immensely for the sisters, with Catherine now the Princess of Wales and both of the women having become mothers to three children of their own.
Despite over a decade of being at the centre of The Firm, the Princess of Wales still has an 'extremely close' bond with her sister, with a royal expert claiming that Pippa's marriage and laughter between the siblings have helped a balance remain in their dynamic.
The Making of a Royal Romance by Katie Nicholl | £8.88 at Amazon
Published in 2011, this provides a fascinating insight into the lives of Prince William and Kate. It reflects back on her childhood, her close family and her romance with the future King. The book goes up to the preparations for the couple's fairytale wedding and also focuses on their life in Wales together.
Speaking to OK! last year, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond pointed out that it's likely Catherine and Pippa find humour in royal protocol when in private.
"They talk about everything and I very much doubt that Catherine expects her sister to stand on ceremony when they are together," Jennie explained, adding, "In public, of course, Pippa pays due respect to the future Queen, but I suspect they probably both find that sort of protocol quite funny."
And with the Prince and Princess of Wales now residing in Adelaide Cottage near Windsor to raise Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, the sisters are close by to each other, with Pippa and husband James Matthews bringing up their children, Arthur, Grace and Rose, in a spacious home in Berkshire.
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.
"The fact that she has married an extremely wealthy man, James Matthews means that the relationship between the two sisters has remained quite a balanced one," Jennie continued.
"Pippa and James have a riverside mansion in Berkshire, less than an hour’s drive from Windsor and half an hour from [Carole and Michael Middleton] in Bucklebury."
Pippa and businessman and hedge fund manager James tied the knot in 2017 at St. Mark's Church in Englefield in Berkshire, after James reportedly popped the question during a trip to the Lake District in 2016.
The couple welcomed their first child, Arthur, in October 2018, before becoming parents for the second time to daughter Grace in 2021. The family of four became a family of five in 2022, when their second daughter, Rose, arrived.
Caitlin is News Editor for woman&home, covering all things royal, celeb, fashion, beauty and lifestyle. Caitlin started on local papers and titles such as Cosmopolitan, Now, Reveal and Take a Break while studying for her Multimedia Journalism degree. She also worked in Fashion PR as a Press Assistant for Arcadia's Topshop before becoming a part of the Now team. Caitlin went on to add the likes of Woman, GoodtoKnow, WhatToWatch and woman&home to her writing repertoire before moving on to her current role.
-
Jennifer Lopez's coffee-coloured slingbacks are the chic (but comfy) heels we need in our spring wardrobe
We'll be investing in this Jennifer Lopez-approved trend for spring and beyond
By Lauren Hughes Published
-
This is what actually happens when you look at your phone before bed
We all want to know does blue light affect sleep as much as we think it does. The experts have something a little unexpected to say on this...
By Grace Walsh Published
-
Why Kate Middleton was royally teased by Prince William's family in the early days
Kate was teased by members of the royal family after her first walkabout
By Jess Bacon Published
-
Prince William's risk proposing to Kate that could've landed him in 'a lot of trouble'
Prince William's romantic Kenya proposal to Kate Middleton posed a risk that could've landed him in hot water with his relatives
By Jess Bacon Published
-
Kate Middleton's contradictory pizza choice won't be everyone's go-to but it sounds mouth-watering
The Princess's surprising pizza topping of choice is quite unusual and it directly goes against one of her other mealtime preferences
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton's exact Clarins Lip Perfector she wore for pretty pink pout at Wimbledon is a bargain today
Kate Middleton was spotted with a candy pink Clarins lip gloss when she sat in the Royal Box at Wimbledon in 2019
By Caitlin Elliott Published
-
Kate Middleton's divisive hobby she loves doing in the 'dark and rain' that Prince William thinks is 'crazy'
The Princess of Wales opened up about this surprising hobby in a special podcast appearance and revealed the weather doesn't stop her
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton's favourite tinted SPF is on sale just in time for summer
The Princess of Wales was once seen buying this Laura Mercier classic
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
Victoria Beckham's Mango collab has the perfect rival for Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle's white wardrobe staple
VB's Mango collection has dropped - and it features the white blazer of dreams
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
Kate Middleton was a 'terrible' waitress before she was royal
The Princess of Wales had various jobs before she married Prince William - and she says she was particularly bad at waitressing
By Caitlin Elliott Published