The increasing prominence of Carole Middleton, the mother of the Princess of Wales, in royal events is noteworthy. Despite not being a royal herself, her attendance at high-profile occasions like King Charles’s coronation and Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, which had limited guest lists, underscores her importance to the future of the Royal Family. However, it is important to clarify that even when Prince William and Kate become King and Queen Consort, Carole Middleton will not hold the title of “Queen Mother.”
The title “Queen Mother” is specifically reserved for the mother of the current monarch and the widow of the former King. The most recent example is Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the mother of Queen Elizabeth II and wife of King George VI, who passed away in 2022. While Carole Middleton will be the mother of a Queen, she is not a member of the Royal Family herself, and therefore, she will not be granted the special title of “Queen Mother.”
The line of succession and royal titles hold specific protocols. Queen Camilla will not hold the title of Queen Mother if she is widowed when Prince William ascends to the throne. Instead, she will be referred to as a Dowager Queen or Queen Dowager, which is the designation given to a former Queen Consort whose husband, the King, has passed away. The title of Queen Mother is reserved for a Queen Dowager who is also the mother of the reigning monarch.
Furthermore, Carole Middleton, the mother of Catherine, Princess of Wales, is not expected to receive a title during King Charles’s reign or Prince William’s future reign. According to the Royal Family website, the monarch has the sole authority to confer titles of honor in the United Kingdom. However, new hereditary peerages are typically granted only to members of the Royal Family.
The Sun’s Arthur Edwards provides insightful information about Kate Middleton’s significance within the Royal Family and the potential honors her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, might receive.
Edwards explains that while it is possible for Carole Middleton to be granted a life peerage, it is not highly likely that Prince William would be advised to bestow this honor upon her. However, when Kate becomes Queen, she may choose to appoint her mother or sister Pippa as one of her Queen’s Companions, which would grant them a title, albeit not an official peerage or honor.
The article also provides background information on Kate Middleton’s parents. Michael Middleton, born in 1949 to a wealthy family with aristocratic ties, attended the prestigious Clifton College in Bristol. Carole Middleton, née Goldsmith, was born in 1955 in London to a relatively ordinary family and grew up in Southall.
Overall, the article informatively discusses the potential honors Kate Middleton’s parents might receive and provides context about their backgrounds, highlighting their rise to prominence after their daughter’s marriage to Prince William.
The couple, Michael and Carole Middleton, met while working as cabin crew for British Airways. They went on to exchange wedding vows in 1980 at the Church of St James in Dorney, Buckinghamshire.
In 1987, the Middletons ventured into entrepreneurship by launching their own business, Party Pieces, after Carole recognized an opportunity in creating party bags. Through their dedication and hard work, they successfully grew Party Pieces into a multi-million-pound enterprise.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent restrictions posed significant challenges to the business. In April 2023, Party Pieces sought the assistance of restructuring firm Interpath to explore options for raising fresh funds. Ultimately, the family decided to move on from the company, and in May 2023, Party Pieces was sold in a pre-package deal to the Essex-based entrepreneur James Sinclair.
The business owned by Carole Middleton, Kate’s mother, was estimated to be worth £30 million at the time of Kate’s wedding to Prince William in 2011, according to DailyMail.com. However, as of 2024, it is believed that the couple has a combined net worth exceeding £54 million.
Prince William may consider appointing Carole to the Royal Victorian Order, an honor personally awarded by the Sovereign for services rendered to them. Queen Elizabeth appointed Kate and several other royals to this Order. If Carole provides significant support to Prince William when he becomes King, he could bestow this honor upon her. Nevertheless, it is most likely that Carole will retain her title as Mrs. Carole Middleton and continue to play a crucial role in the lives of Prince William, Kate, and their three children – George, Charlotte, and Louis.
