Carole and Michael Middleton's 'huge influence' on Prince William and Princess Kate's future reign


Author Simon Vigar told HELLO!'s A Right Royal Podcast that Kate's upbringing and family will likely influence her future reign with Prince William


Eleanor Dye
Eleanor DyeOnline Royal Correspondent
1 hour ago
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When Prince William And Kate one day come to the throne, they will likely take a different approach to King Charles. 

The Prince of Wales is widely expected to usher in a more "modern monarchy", previously admitting in 2025 that "change is on my agenda". 

Speaking on HELLO!'s A Right Royal Podcast, Simon Vigar, author of The Four Wives of Windsor, revealed that the Middleton family will have a "huge influence" on how the Waleses conduct their reign. 

Royal expert Simon was asked how much of an influence Kate’s own upbringing and family have had on the way she is raising her three children, Prince George, 13, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, eight, and the way she will influence the monarchy.

To hear the conversation, watch an extract from HELLO!'s A Right Royal Podcast in the video above. 

Simon said: "Catherine is married to the next King and she is the mother of the one after that. I think clearly the Middleton family will have a huge impact on the future of the monarchy."

Listen to the full podcast episode below:

What will Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet's royal role be in future?

The Princess of Wales's "backbone" in family life

Carole and Michael Middleton raised Kate and her younger siblings, Pippa and James, with a very outdoorsy childhood, which has inspired the way she raised her children. 

Simon told us: "I was told by one of my sources that the late Queen, very early on, identified what a good thing Catherine was, and how she was the absolute backbone of the Middletons.

Prince William standing proudly alongside Kate, George, Charlotte and Louis. The Princess was also joined by her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, and her brother, James Middleton© Instagram
Carole and Michael supported Kate on her Three Peaks challenge

"Catherine was given several years, as we know, to decide whether she was going to join the royal family or not. 

"And once she had made that decision, she was all in. And her children, George, Charlotte and Louis, are having a similar childhood to what Catherine, Pippa and James had."

Childhood photo of James Middleton and sister Kate© Instagram
Kate has taken inspiration from her childhood (pictured with brother James)

Carole, 71, has always been a "rock" for Kate and has supported her through thick and thin, remaining close by her side throughout her cancer diagnosis and recovery in 2024. 

How Prince William is taking a 'personal' approach to power 

Prince William has hinted at signs of change in recent months. 

Prince William and Kate Middleton laughing in a carriage© Getty Images
Prince William will take a new approach when he becomes King

HELLO!'s royal editor, Emily Nash, said: "Over the past couple of years, we’ve seen him at his most emotionally open more than ever before - whether dad-dancing at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, coming close to tears while speaking to a bereaved wife and mother or opening up to Eugene Levy at Windsor, he has increasingly been wearing his heart on his sleeve."

The Prince appears to be revealing his personality to the public more and more, for example when he's seen cheering on Aston Villa in the stands, or openly talking about his pride in Kate's recovery from cancer. 

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