James Middleton shares adorable photo of himself as a baby with his mother Carole on her 70th birthday
James Middleton has shared an adorable snap of himself as a baby with his mother Carole in celebration of her 70th birthday.
The mother-of-three - James, 37, Pippa, 41, and the Princess of Wales, 43, - celebrates her milestone birthday today, marking the day with her nearest and dearest in a celebration which is being kept tightly under wraps.
And to mark the occasion, Carole's youngest child shared a sweet baby snap of himself with his mother on Instagram, writing: 'Happy 70th Birthday to my darling Mother. My Hero'.
It is thought that the Royal Family, who are reportedly very fond of the Middletons, may also be on hand to celebrate her big birthday.
Grant Harrold, who previously worked as King Charles's butler, told the Daily Express the King and Queen may throw a birthday bash for Mrs Middleton.
'As it's a special birthday, I definitely think the King and Queen will be doing some sort of party for her, maybe in London as they like to mark special occasions', he told the newspaper.
It comes following speculation that Carole and her husband Michael may be granted a title – as grandparents of a future king, and to reward them for their unstinting loyalty and discretion to the Royal Family over the past two decades.
Middleton family friend and business tycoon Sir John Madejski has previously called for this. ‘They should be the Earl and Countess of Bucklebury,’ he said in 2014. ‘They deserve it. They are great people and really good role models.’
James shared a sweet baby snap of himself with his mother on Instagram, writing: 'Happy 70th Birthday to my darling Mother. My Hero'
James and Carole Middleton pictured together at the wedding of Pippa in May 2017
Carole and Michael Middleton attend the second day of Royal Ascot in June 2024
Carole Middleton is seen playing cards in Kate's personal message after she finished her chemotherapy
And over the last 12 months, Carole's role within the firm has been even further cemented as she helped the family through daughter Kate's cancer diagnosis and preventative course of chemotherapy.
She was also centre stage in Kate’s personal Instagram video, released last September after her chemotherapy finished, there were scenes of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis on the swings at home in Norfolk, her and William lying on a blanket on the nearby beach, and Carole and Michael playing card games around the table.
This appearance of the Middleton parents was very ‘telling’, a source reveals, adding that Carole was the family linchpin who often did the school run during this period, driving the children – and her daughter – there and back so that Kate could still be part of their daily routine.
In December, at Kate’s annual ‘Together at Christmas’ carol service, six-year-old Prince Louis clutched a poignant little label for the ‘kindness’ tree which read, in wobbly handwriting: ‘Thank you Granny and Grandpa because they have played games with me.’
Daily Mail Royal Editor Rebecca English previously said on the Palace Confidential podcast that she believes Carole could be made a member of the Royal Victorian Order in the future.
The honour is given by the monarch to those who have helped the Royal Family. It is usually handed to members of household staff or ambassadors for the UK.
'They could do that', Ms English said on the podcast. 'I don't think we would see that in the King's lifetime, but possibly William's.'
Carole's rise to the public consciousness began when her eldest daughter started a relationship with Prince William around 20 years ago during their days as students at St Andrews University.
A Mother's Day tribute from the Princess of Wales to her mother Carole Middleton
Carole Middleton and the Duchess of Cambridge attend day 1 of Royal Ascot in June 2017
Prince William is said to be very close with his in laws (pictured at Royal Ascot in 2024)
The Princess of Wales (at the time the girlfriend of Prince William) pictured with mother Carole at the parade ground at the Royal Military College in 2006
Carole is descended from Durham coal mining stock. After achieving four A-levels, she wanted to become a teacher, but her parents couldn’t afford the college fees, so she decided to get a job to be able to fund it herself.
Initially she landed a place on John Lewis’s trainee scheme, then moved to a secretarial job at what became British Airways, where she realised she wanted to become an air hostess instead of a teacher.
She was so determined to be good at her job that she would record her on-board announcements and play them back to herself.
Soon, the smiley, pretty, determined young woman caught the eye of a BA flight dispatcher called Michael from Leeds, whose family had aristocratic ties, and the pair fell in love.
They moved into an apartment in Slough, close to Heathrow, and were married in 1980.
The first child, Catherine, was born two years later, followed by siblings Pippa and James. But a little thing like motherhood wasn’t going to slow Carole down.
In 1987 she launched a party business, Party Pieces, after being able to find only one type of paper plate (with clowns on) for Kate’s fifth birthday.
Its success transformed Carole into a self-made millionaire within a few years, and Michael left his job at BA to pitch in.
The family moved from a two-bedroom cottage to a five-bedroom house a few miles away in Berkshire, and the three children went to private school.
In 2012, the success of Party Pieces (it’s since been sold, after hitting tougher times during the pandemic) enabled Carole and Michael to move into a £4.7 million Grade-II Berkshire manor house, Bucklebury Manor, which has seven bedrooms and enough space for plenty of grandchildren.
