Special title Kate Middleton could grant her mother Carole and sister Pippa when she becomes Queen revealed
A royal expert weighed in on whether Kate's dad Michael will receive an honour
KATE Middleton is extremely close to her family, including mum Carole and sister Pippa.
And when Prince William’s wife becomes Queen one day, her beloved family members could be in line for some special honours.
Royal author Phil Dampier told Fabulous that Pippa Middleton could be given a similar role to Queen Camilla’s younger sister, Annabel Elliott, who is one of her six “companions”.
He said: “I certainly think there could be a role for Pippa as a lady-in-waiting or companion type role.
“This needs to be someone the then Queen can trust and rely on, and who better than her sister?
“Pippa has some commercial interests but I’m sure by the time Kate becomes Queen she would be happy to fulfil that role if required.
“It’s not necessarily a full time job so she would be available.
“We all know what a sensation she was at their wedding in 2011 and since then she has kept a relatively low profile and of course is happily married.”
Another person he thought could be in line for a “companion” position is Kate’s stylist and close friend Natasha Archer, as she is “someone else she trusts and would be ideal for a supportive post.”
But could the rest of the family receive any royal titles?
Queen Camilla‘s family have remained titleless.
Her parents passed away in 1994 and 2006 – and her two children, Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes, were never given titles.
Phil said: “I can’t see the Middletons getting any titles while Charles is King, and I don’t think they would want any.
“But when William becomes King and Kate Queen things could change.
“Both Michael and Carole Middleton are both extremely close to their grandchildren George, Charlotte and Louis and have had a major hand in looking after them.
“Lots of two-bit politicians who have done very little to deserve them get Knighthoods, and every year dozens of royal servants and police protection officers get gongs of one degree or another, so why not Carole?
“Her contribution to the stability of the monarchy is vital behind the scenes and so maybe she and her husband deserve recognition more than some others.
Who are Michael and Carole Middleton's children?
Michael and Carole welcomed their first child Catherine, who tends to go by Kate, in 1982.
Philippa, known as Pippa, came a year later and in 1987 they completed their family when son James. was born.
Michael and Carole are now the proud grandparents to second in line to the throne Prince George, his sister Princess Charlotte, and Prince William and Princess Kate’s third child, Louis.
They also have three more grandchildren through their second daughter Pippa, who is married to hedge-fund manager, and brother of the Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews, James Matthews.
James and Pippa share two daughters, Grace and Rose, and also have one son called Arthur.
Michael and Carole’s son James Middleton married French financial analyst Alizée Thevenet on September 11, 2021.
They had their first son Inigo in October 2023.
The name Inigo is of Spanish and Basque origin, and means “fiery”.
“I don’t think people would object if they were given an honour, but it wouldn’t be anything as grand as a dukedom or peerage, more likely an Empire medal.
“I certainly don’t think Kate’s sister Pippa would feel comfortable with an honour and I doubt she would get one, but I can imagine the parents getting something in a few years.”
One title Carole won’t be receiving is that of the Queen Mother and the widow of the former King, as that is typically used for someone who is the mother of the current monarch.
Michael Middleton was born in 1949 to a wealthy family who already had some ties to aristocracy and went to the prestigious Clifton College in Bristol.
I certainly think there could be a role for Pippa as a lady-in-waiting or companion type role. This needs to be someone the then Queen can trust and rely on, and who better than her sister?
Phil Dampier
His wife Carole, whose maiden name was Goldsmith, was born in London in 1955, to a relatively normal family and grew up in Southall.
The couple met when working as cabin crew for British Airways.
The pair went on to tie the knot in 1980, and later became parents to Kate, Pippa and James.
What does a companion or lady in waiting do?
British professional coaching company Debrett's gave their guide on the role...
A lady in waiting is an attendant to a female member of the Royal Family and she is usually the wife or daughter of a peer but could just be a close friend or cousin of the royal she is attending. Her duties are to act as a companion and to help the Royal during her day-to-day duties. On occasions she would be involved in replying to non-official correspondence and diary events.
When Queen Elizabeth died, it was announced that The Queen Consort, Queen Camilla, would not have ladies in waiting but instead she would be attended by queen’s companions, also that the role would be much more informal in that they would not be involved in the administrative tasks usually covered by ladies in waiting.
The King also announced in September 2022 that the late Queen’s ladies in waiting would be retained, those that were not intending to retire, and would be known as ladies of the household. Their main duty would be to help in hosting events at Buckingham Palace.
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In 1987 the Middletons launched their own business Party Pieces, after Carole realised she could make some money from creating party bags.
After growing the firm into a multi-million-pound business, Party Pieces was badly hit by the pandemic and Covid restrictions and in April 2023, the company called in advisers at restructuring firm Interpath to try to raise fresh funds for the business.
However, the family decided to move on from the company and in May 2023 the business was sold in a pre-package deal to the Essex-based entrepreneur James Sinclair.
Michael and Carole’s Party Pieces business meant that the couple turned themselves into self-made millionaires.
At the time of Kate’s wedding to Prince William in 2011 the business was estimated to be worth £30million, reports .
