Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana’s christening on July 5 was meant to be a joyous day for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
But in the latest issue of Woman’s Day magazine, it’s been revealed that behind Catherine’s professional smile lies uncharacteristic frostiness towards one of the women she trusts most – her mum, Carole Middleton.
Perched proudly next to Prince Charles in the official royal portrait, Carole couldn’t have looked happier. Not to mention Catherine’s siblings, James and Pippa Middleton, who were planted in a powerful position behind Prince William and George.
The Middleton inclusion in this historic photograph sent tongues wagging among longtime royal watchers, who say their very presence in both Princess Charlotte’s portrait proves the monarchy’s protocol has changed immensely since the marriage of her parents, both 33, in 2011.
In stark contrast, at William’s and Harry’s christenings, the official royal photographs show that Princess Diana’s side of the family was nowhere in sight.
Woman’s Day magazine says that behind the scenes, Catherine is begging her mother to tone down her desire to be treated like a royal. But so far her wishes appear to be falling on deaf ears.
The Middleton’s desire for prominence was again displayed front and centre at Wimbledon recently, with Pippa and James even sitting in the prestige royal box, while mum Carole made quite the entrance with Michael in tow behind her.
Catherine’s youngest brother James seems to be taking his royal relations for granted complaining, to digital magazine The Young Director in January, “Yes, it does get frustrating. I work incredibly hard — just like every other person in business and work and aside from the fact that yes, I am the brother of someone very important, I am, at the end of the day, just James.”
Meanwhile Carole and Pippa have both capitalised on their royal connections and have gone on to write books, party guides and secure columns in national publications. Carole, who has made her millions running a children’s party business, has even been known to design royal themed birthday parties for the little “prince or princess” in your life – much to the distaste of Britain’s upper classes – some of whom snidely refer to her as “Queen Carole”.
Taking after his late mother, William wants the Middletons to be considered part of the family but in this week’s magazine, on stands now, we discover that Kate isn’t quite so pleased with the interference.
Pick up this week’s issue of Woman’s Day, on stands now, to read all about the on-going drama between the Duchess and the Middletons