Despite her royal status today, the Princess of Wales had a remarkably normal upbringing with her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, and her siblings, Pippa and James.
Growing up in a close-knit household, Kate and her siblings followed household rules and took on their fair share of chores—particularly during family mealtimes.
Royal biographer Katie Nicholl, author of Kate: The Future Queen, described how the Middletons prioritized family dinners as a time for bonding.
“The Middletons were an exceptionally close family, and Carole and Mike enjoyed the vibrancy of their children—the stories, the noise, and the laughter. Every weeknight, they would eat a home-cooked supper together around the kitchen table,” she wrote.
The children were expected to contribute, with one setting the table and another clearing up afterward. They also had to finish their meals before being allowed to leave the table.
Pippa Middleton later reflected on this in an article about her childhood, recalling: “As children, we had to eat absolutely everything.”
Given Kate’s well-known love for cooking, it’s likely that Carole involved her children in meal preparation as well. George Brown, a frequent visitor to the Middletons’ home, West View, shared insights into their daily life.
“Carole was a real homemaker. She was also a great baker and taught the girls to bake. The kitchen was a traditional cottage kitchen and the hub of the house, and Carole was always busy cooking up something,” he recalled.
Kate’s early experiences with cooking and household chores may have influenced her approach to parenting, as she and Prince William strive to create a similarly warm and grounded environment for their own children.
