WHILST Carole Middleton might not be a royal herself, there’s no doubt that she’s incredibly important to the future of the Royal Family.
The mother of the Princess of Wales has attended numerous high-profile royal occasions throughout the years, from King Charles’s coronation to Queen Elizabeth’s funeral– both of which had limited guest lists.
But whilst Carole Middleton, 69, has been thrust into the royal spotlight as a result of her daughter Kate being married to Prince William, Carole will not be a Queen Mother even when Prince William and Kate become King and Queen Consort.
The title ‘Queen Mother’ is used to refer to someone who is the mother of the current monarch and the widow of the former King.
The most famous Queen Mother in recent history was Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the mother of Queen Elizabeth II and wife of King George VI, who passed away on September 8, 2022, at her home in Balmoral.
Whilst Carole Middleton will be the mother of a Queen, she is not a member of the Royal Family herself and so she will miss out on the special title.
Not only this, but Queen Camilla will also not be Queen Mother if she is widowed when Prince William ascends to the throne.
In that instance, she will be a Dowager Queen or Queen Dowager – the title given to a former Queen Consort whose husband the King has passed away.
A Queen Dowager can only become known as the Queen Mother if they are also the mother of the next monarch.
Carole Middleton isn’t expected to get a title during King Charles’s reign and it’s unlikely she’ll get a title in Prince William’s future reign either.
As per the Royal Family website, the monarch is the “fountain of honour” in the UK and has the “sole right” of conferring titles of honour.
However, it’s understood that new hereditary peerages are typically only granted to members of the Royal Family.
Whilst it’s possible Carole could be given a life peerage, it is not hugely likely that Prince William would be advised to grant her one.
At the same time, it’s also possible that when Kate becomes Queen, she may choose to make her mother or sister Pippa one of her own Queen’s Companions.
Whilst this would then be a title of sorts for them, it is not a peerage title or official honour.
Who are Kate Middleton’s parents?
CAROLE and Michael Middleton shot to fame the moment their daughter Kate Middleton married Prince William.
The proud parents of the Princess of Wales, they also have two younger children Pippa and James.
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.
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.
They said their wedding vows at the Church of St James in Dorney, Buckinghamshire.
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 DailyMail.com.
However, as of 2024, it’s thought the couple have more than £54million between them.
Prince William may also consider appointing Carole to the Royal Victorian Order – an honour personally awarded by the Sovereign for services to them.
Queen Elizabeth appointed Kate and plenty of other royals to this Order.
If Carole supports Prince William in a significant way when he’s King, he could give her this honour.
Despite this, it’s most likely that Carole will remain as Mrs Carole Middleton and will continue to have a key role in the lives of Prince William, Kate and their three children – George, Charlotte and Louis.
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