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The Gist
Carole Middleton reportedly has a "very close" relationship with King Charles.
The duo officially became in-laws after their respective children tied the knot in April 2011.
They also share three grandchildren: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
It's no secret thatKing CharlesandKate Middletonbonded over the news of theirdual cancer diagnosesin 2024. It was the "hardest year" ever experienced by the royal family, according toPrince William; since then, the Princess of Wales has announced she is inremission, and the monarch's treatment has likewise entered a "precautionary phase." Throughout that difficult period, the royal family was able to lean on one duo in particular:Carole and Michael Middleton.
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"The real anchors in [Kate's] life are her parents [Carole and Michael Middleton], and her brother James andher sister Pippa," royal expert Katie Nicholl once toldEntertainment Tonight. "While you certainly don't see them photographed together very often, they are very much there in the background ... They are absolutely fundamental."
As the parents of Kate, Carole and Michael were "welcomed into the royal fold," says Nicholl, after she and Prince Williamtied the knotin April 2011. Since then, fans have enjoyed glimpses, every now and then, of their special connection as both in-laws and grandparents. When it comes to Carole and King Charles in particular, their bond has been on display atRoyal Ascotas well as at Sandringham. Ahead, here's everything you need to know about how Carole Middleton has become close with King Charles in the years since their children wed.
They became in-laws in April 2011.
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On April 29, 2011,Prince William and Kate Middletonmade their decade-long partnership official when they said "I do" at Westminster Abbey in front of approximately 1,900 guests. From that point on, the groom's father Charles and his stepmother Camilla were officially Middleton's in-laws, and vice versa. The families celebrated with the aforementioned lavish ceremony, followed by a 600-person reception at Buckingham Palace and a 300-person dinner hosted by the Prince of Wales.
Notably, the mother of the bride wore a baby blue crepe coat dress to the ceremony courtesy of one ofPrincess Diana's favorite designers: Catherine Walker. Camilla, for her part, donned an Anne Valentine number (she also tapped the Brit for her outfit atPrince Harry and Meghan Markle's weddingin 2018).
They share three grandchildren.
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Two years after their lavish nuptials, Prince William and Kate Middleton welcomed their first son,Prince George; the couple's parents thus became grandparents for the first time.Princess CharlotteandPrince Louisfollowed in 2015 and 2018, respectively.
"It's a different part of your life," Charles once said of becoming a grandparent, perPeople. "The great thing is to encourage them, show them things to take their interest. My grandmother did that, she was wonderful. It is very important to create a bond when they are very young."
As for the Middletons, one palace insider previously toldPeoplethat "[Kate's] parents are an enduring factor in the upbringing of their grandchildren."
They both seem to love Royal Ascot.
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In June 2025, Kate Middleton surprised royals fans by withdrawing last minute from Royal Ascot. Carole, however,didmake an appearance, and was spottedhaving a rather fabulous timewith both King Charles and Prince William in the royal box.
Carole was also joined by her son James's wife Alizee Thevenet. Their appearance further cemented the fact that the Middletons have been "very, very welcomed into the royal fold," per royal expert Katie Nicholl, who shared as much withThe Sun.
The Middletons have been "welcomed into the royal fold."
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Speaking of the royal family's embrace of the Middletons, royal expert Katie Nicholl also noted that the in-laws "have a very close relationship," adding that Carole and Michael "had a lovely relationship withthe late Queen."
"The Middletons have been so pivotal and important this year," she said in December 2024, referencing Kate's battle with anundisclosed form of cancer. The Princess of Wales announced she was inremissionin January 2025; King Charles, meanwhile, is still undergoing cancer treatments, though they have been "reduced" and moved to a "precautionary phase" as of 2026.
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