We're all familiar with the British royal family—but what about the family tree of Kate Middleton, who married into the House of Windsor over a decade ago? As Kate and William celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary, here's everything you need to know about the Middleton family, the extended family of Catherine, the Princess of Wales:
Kate's dad: Michael Middleton
Michael Francis Middleton (b. June 23, 1949) grew up in Leeds. He attended Clifton College, then the University of Surrey. After, he worked as a flight dispatcher for British Airways.
His mother, Valerie Middleton (née Glassborow) (b. 1924, d. 2006), was a volunteer nurse and code-breaker during World War II, and his father, Captain Peter Middleton (b. 1920, d. 2010) was a RAF fighter pilot. In fact, Peter even flew alongside Prince Philip in 1962. Peter's mother, Olive Lupton, was part of the Lupton family, a prominent family beginning in Tudor-era Britain. Valerie and Peter had four boys, including Michael. His brothers are named: Richard Middleton (b. 1947), Simon Middleton (b. 1952), and Nicholas Middleton (b. 1956).
Kate's mom: Carole Middleton
Kate's mom was born Carole Goldsmith (b. January 31, 1955) to Dorothy Goldsmith (née Harrison) (b. 1935, d. 2006) and Ronald Goldsmith (b. 1931, d. 2003). She has one brother, Gary Goldsmith. Her dad's family comes from coal miners, and her dad Ronald worked as a builder. Her mom, Dorothy, worked in a jewelry school. Carole intended to be a teacher, but her parents couldn't afford to put her through college. She started working as a secretary for British Airways, and eventually became a flight attendant, when she met Michael Middleton. In 1987, she launched Party Pieces, a party goods company, but in 2023, she sold the business.
Catherine, Princess of Wales
The eldest of Carole and Michael Middleton's children, Kate was born Catherine Elizabeth Middleton (b. January 9, 1982). Kate attended St Andrew's School, then Downe House School and Marlborough College. After, she took a gap year and enrolled at the University of St Andrews, where she met her future husband, Prince William (b. June 21, 1982). (Read a timeline of Kate and William's relationship here.) After many years of dating, the two would eventually tie the knot in a grand royal wedding in 2011. Upon her marriage to William, she became known as Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. Following the death of Queen Elizabeth, she became Catherine, Princess of Wales.
Kate and William have three children: Prince George (b. July 22, 2013), Princess Charlotte (b. May 2, 2015), and Prince Louis (b. April 23, 2018). All three children follow their father in the line of succession to the British throne.
Kate's sister: Pippa Matthews
Carole and Michael's middle child was born Pippa Charlotte Middleton (b. September 6, 1983). Like her older sister, Pippa attended Marlborough College. She then went onto study at the University of Edinburgh, and worked in PR before joining Party Pieces. She's also written two books, Celebrate: A Year of Festivities for Families and Friends (2012), and Heartfelt (2016).
In 2017, Pippa wed James Matthews (b. August 21, 1975), heir to the Laird of Glen Affric. (More on James Matthews here.) They have three children, Arthur Matthews (b. October 15, 2018), Grace Matthews (b. March 15, 2021), and Rose Matthews (b. June 2022).
Kate's brother: James Middleton
The youngest of Carole and Michael's children is James William Middleton (b. April 15, 1987). Like Pippa, he went to Marlborough College and then University of Edinburgh, but he dropped out after a year. He's been an entrepreneur, starting "Cake Kit Company" which sold kits for buyers to create their own themed cakes; Boomf, a marshmallow company; and Ella & Co, a dog-food order company. Notably, he breeds dogs—both of Kate and William's dogs, Lupo and Orla were both gifts James.
In September 2021, he married Alizee Thevene, a financial analyst. In July 2023, James and Alizee shared they were expecting their first child, and they welcomed Inigo Middleton sometime in September or October 2023. In 2024, he announced he would be writing a memoir, Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life, set to publish in fall 2024.
Emily Burack (she/her) is the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, culture, the royals, and a range of other subjects. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram.
