Inside Prince William’s close relationship with ‘second mum’ Carole Middleton

Prince William is said to be “confiding” in Carole Middleton as his mother-in-law becomes an even greater support to the future King while Princess Catherine receives treatment for cancer.

As Prince William continues to navigate his royal duties while supporting Princess Catherine through her cancer treatments and caring for the couple’s three children, his close relationship with his mother-in-law, Carole Middleton is beginning to emerge.

The future King was spotted last weekend with Mrs Middleton, who is believed to be staying with the family while her daughter is being treated for cancer.

According to the Daily Mail’s Diary editor, Richard Eden, he said: “I’m told he popped into a pub in North Norfolk at the weekend with his mother-in-law, who is said to have been staying with the Prince and Princess of Wales for Easter.”

The late Queen Elizabeth, Carole Middleton (L) and the now Queen Camilla following the 2011 wedding ceremony of Prince William and Princess Catherine. Picture: AFP

A patron explained the visit was very “low-key”, and said: “He just walked in and through the pub. He appeared to be with Carole Middleton.”

According to royal experts, Mrs Middleton has become become something of a “second mum” to the Prince of Wales and someone he can “confide” in.

One royal expert claimed she has taught her son-in-law “how a loving and supportive family works”.

“William’s in-laws have become like second parents and Carole is almost a Diana-Type mum.”

She has provided a “real sense of normality amid any chaos” for Prince William since he married Princess Catherine in 2011, royal biographer Angela Levin told The Sun.

Michael Middleton, Carole Middleton, King Charles, Eliza Lopes and Queen Camilla. Picture: Getty Images

“[Carole] made him feel secure, comfortable and protected and he didn’t have to worry about what he said or be responsible for her emotions,” she said.

Ms Middleton, whose home is only a short ride from the Wales’ Windsor base, is an involved grandmother to Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

In an interview Good Housekeeping, Mrs Middleton - who has seven grandchildren in total - has remarked that she wants to “run down the hills, climb the trees and go through the tunnel at the playground”.

Prince William and Princess Catherine with their families on their wedding day in 2011. Picture: AFP

“As long as I am able to, that’s what I’ll be doing,” she said. “I cook with them, I muck around dancing, we go on bike rides.”

Royal expert Rachael Andrews said that with Carole and Michael Middleton, Prince William has two people to confide in “who are removed from the monarchy”.

The prince is also close with his wife’s parents because of their united commitment to Princess Catherine’s happiness and safety.

Michael and Carole Middleton arrive at Westminster Abbey ahead of the coronations of King Charles and Queen Camilla. Picture: AFP

As reported by The Mirror, author Jennie Bond earlier this year told OK that “attacks” from Omid Scobie’s Endgame left Prince William feeling “guilty and angry because he promised Kate’s parents that he would protect and look after her”.

“The attacks from Omid Scobie were vicious, so William will feel guilty because all she’s done is fall in love with someone who happened to be a future king,” she said.

“There’s obviously a lot of baggage that comes with this – it’s a unique and different life which you’ve got to have a very thick skin for.”

Prince William also found a mother figure in Mrs Middleton, with him and Princess Catherine relying on her support after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle left the UK, a source told The Sun.

Cameras captured the Prince of Wales, 41, and his son, 10, standing up and clapping to their beloved team Aston Villa win. Picture: Getty Images

Prince William enjoys a night out with his son. Picture: Getty Images

WILLIAM, GEORGE’S NIGHT OUT AT SOCCER

It comes as Prince William and Prince George enjoyed a father-son night watching their favourite soccer team play as Princess Catherine receives cancer treatment.Cameras captured the Prince of Wales, 41, and his son, 10, standing up and clapping to their beloved team Aston Villa who went on to win the match

Prince George donned a Villa’s blue-and-claret scarf and was seen on video cheering on the players, as his father stood close to him and spoke a few words. The young prince also appeared to be with a friend who stood on his other side.

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis have almost finished their school Easter holidays, and have been spending time privately with their parents.

Chairman of Aston Villa Nassef Sawiris with Prince of Wales and Prince George in Birmingham, England. Picture: Getty Images

Meanwhile, King Charles was spotted flying to Scotland for a break before he returns to public life following his cancer treatment.

Charles, 75, was seen carrying a suit bag and official government papers as he and Queen Camilla disembarked their private plane.

The royal couple, who celebrated their 19th wedding anniversary on Tuesday, arrived at Aberdeen Airport on Wednesday evening ocal time.

They will stay at Birkhall on the Balmoral estate for at least a week as King Charles continues to recover from treatment for an unnamed cancer.

Earlier this week, Prince William broke his silence on on social media for the first time since his wife’s cancer diagnosis.

Prince William lauded retiring English soccer star Rachel Daly (left) during a brief return to social media. Picture: Getty Images

The royal, an avid soccer fan and President of England’s Football Association, posted a personal message to British star Rachel Dale who announced her retirement.

“Thank you for so many unforgettable performances with @Lionesses, @racheldaly3. Plenty more goals for Villa now!,” he wrote on the official Kensington Royal account he shares with his wife.

Daly, who represented England during last year’s World Cup in Australia, made her final appearance for the Lionesses during a Euro 2025 qualifier against Ireland earlier this week before announcing her retirement.

The future king has stayed silent on the Wales’ social media feeds since Catherine made her cancer diagnosis public last month.

He is currently spending time with his family as his children are on a school break.

Thank you for so many unforgettable performances with @Lionesses, @RachelDaly3. Plenty more goals for Villa now! W https://t.co/JXmadhxW7L

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) April 10, 2024

PETER PHILLIPS SPLITS FROM GIRLFRIEND

Meanwhile, Peter Phillips, the son of Princess Anne, has split with girlfriend Lindsay Wallace after three years together.

Phillips, the eldest of the late Queen’s grandchildren, started seeing 43-year-old Wallace in 2021 following the end of his 13-year marriage to Autumn Kelly.

While it’s unclear why Phillips and Wallace decided to end their romance after years of displaying a “rock-solid” union, they are said to have remained amicable.

Peter Phillips has split from girlfriend Lindsay Wallace. Picture: Getty Images

“They were friends before their relationship blossomed. But Peter and Lindsay have gone their separate ways as the relationship simply ran its course,” The Sun reports, citing an insider.

The pair each have two children from previous relationships.

The 46-year-old Phillips has two daughters Savannah, 13, and Isla, 12, with Canadian Kelly. Wallace shares two children with her ex-husband Andrew Wallace. The former couple was married for 11 years.

Wallace has long ties to the royal family after attending Gordonstoun School -where King Charles also went – in Scotland with Phillips’ sister Zara Tindall.

Peter Phillips with Autumn Kelly on their wedding day in 2008. They split in 2020. Picture: AFP

Phillips even introduced Wallace to his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, at Windsor Castle.

Phillips, widely known as the late monarch’s favourite grandchild, soon began inviting Wallace to many royal events, including the Wimbledon championships, Ascot races, and the Coronation concert last year.

Royal insiders said this was a “clear sign Lindsay had been welcomed into the family” and rumours of a wedding began to circulate.

It’s unclear when their romance began to break down, and the pair did not join the royals at Sandringham for Christmas last year.

Peter Phillips with girlfriend Lindsay Wallace and Princess Anne. Picture: Getty Images

Phillips split from ex-wife Kelly, who he married at St George’s Chapel in Windsor in 2008, in 2020 with the divorce finalised the following year.

Phillips, who is 18th in line to the throne, gave an update on his uncle King Charles last month as he continues to receive treatment for cancer.

Phillips said that the monarch is “frustrated” by the pace of his cancer recovery.

“He’s frustrated that he can’t get on and do everything that he wants to be able to do,” he told Sky News Australia.

“He is always pushing his staff and everybody — his doctors and nurses — to be able to say ‘Actually can I do this, can I do that?’” he said.

Originally published as Inside Prince William’s close relationship with ‘second mum’ Carole Middleton