Prince William's unwavering commitment to his wife, Catherine, and her family was revealed during his father's coronation. According to Robert Hardman's new royal book, *The Inside Story*, William stood firm on his demand that the Middleton family be prominently included in the event—a gesture that brought Catherine to tears.
Hardman recounts how William made a direct request to ensure that Catherine’s family would be in attendance and seated in a high-profile position. This move starkly contrasted with the treatment of other extended royal family members. For instance, the Queen Mother's family, the Bowes-Lyons, had only two representatives, and the Mountbatten family, Prince Philip's relatives, were represented solely by Countess Mountbatten. Even Lady Pamela Hicks, a former member of the royal household under Queen Elizabeth, was not invited.
The inclusion of Michael and Carole Middleton, along with Catherine's siblings, James and Pippa, at the coronation marked a significant departure from traditional royal practices. This decision underscored the evolving nature of the royal family since Queen Elizabeth's 70-year reign. As Hardman noted, "Having all of them there was very important to him. He was absolutely insistent that his wife's family be properly included."
The move not only highlighted William's dedication to his wife but also signaled a shift towards a more inclusive royal family. This inclusivity reflects the broader changes within the monarchy, especially under King Charles, who has expressed a desire for a slimmed-down monarchy. This approach aims to reduce the number of working royals funded by taxpayers, aligning the House of Windsor with the modern world's expectations of royalty.
William's insistence on including the Middleton family in such a high-profile event showcases his deep respect and love for Catherine and her family. This extraordinary gesture brought Catherine to tears, emphasizing the profound impact of William's commitment to her and her loved ones. As the royal family continues to evolve, moments like these serve as a testament to the personal bonds that transcend traditional royal protocol.
When Catherine, the Princess of Wales, was spotted publicly for the first time after undergoing surgery and hospitalization in January, the person by her side was her mother, Carole Middleton. Two weeks after being seen in the passenger seat of a car driven by her mother, Catherine, the wife of Prince William, announced publicly that she had been diagnosed with cancer in July. In only her second public appearance since announcing her cancer diagnosis, Catherine attended Wimbledon with her sister, Pippa Middleton Matthews, by her side, as well as her daughter, Princess Charlotte, one of her three children with William.
That Catherine's mom and sister were both seen publicly by her side during her recovery came as no surprise to royal watchers, who have long observed Catherine's closeness with her family. Catherine's younger brother, James Middleton, wrote on Instagram after her cancer announcement, "Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together as a family. We will climb this one with you too."
Michael and Carole Middleton, Catherine's parents, wed over 40 years ago and soon after welcomed Catherine and her siblings, Pippa Middleton and James Middleton. The Middletons raised their children in Bucklebury, a village in West Berkshire, England, where they still live today. Catherine, now a mother of three herself, has said previously that she and her siblings spent a lot of time outdoors as kids and with their grandmother. "I had an amazing Gran 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," Catherine said in a 2020 podcast interview. "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," she continued. "As children, we spent a lot of time outside, and it's something I'm really passionate about."
The Middletons, who met while they both worked at British Airways, raised their three children while building careers as entrepreneurs. In the late 1980s, the couple started their own retail business, Party Pieces, a party supply company that they sold last year.
