BeforeKate Middletonwas raisingthree childrenwithPrince William, she was growing up alongside her siblings, sisterPippa Middletonand brotherJames Middleton.
The Princess of Wales and her younger siblings are the three children of Michael and Carole Middleton, and they grew up together in the village of Bucklebury, England.
While much has changed for their family since childhood, James says he’s proud of how his older sister has continued “blossoming” intoher growing rolewithin the royal family.
In March 2024, Kate announced that she’d beendiagnosed with cancerafter undergoing a planned abdominal surgery. James publicly supported his sister on Instagram, writing, “Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too.”
From their upbringing to entering the royal spotlight, here’s everything to know about Kate Middleton’s siblings, Pippa and James Middleton.
They grew up in Bucklebury, England
Kate Middleton with her dad Michael and sister Pippa in Jerash, Jordan.The Middleton Family/Clarence House/Getty
The Middleton Family/Clarence House/Getty
After Kate’s arrival on Jan. 9, 1982, Pippa was born on Sept. 6, 1983. The family of four relocated from Bradfield Southend, Berkshire, to Amman, Jordan, the following year. After returning to the U.K. in 1986, James joined the family on April 15, 1987.
After sharing that she enjoys spending time outside with her family, the royal explained, “I had a very happy childhood.It was great fun — I’m very lucky, I’ve come from a very strong family.”
She continued, “My parents were hugely dedicated to us — my siblings. I really appreciate now as a parent how much they sacrificed for us.”
They were part of Kate’s wedding
Kirsty Wigglesworth - WPA Pool/Getty
Pippa and James were supportive on Kate and William’swedding dayon April 29, 2011.
James read a bible verse during the ceremony, calling on people to live a peaceful and righteous life.
Pippa keeps her marriage and kids private
Pippa married her husband, James Matthews, on May 20, 2017, and they have welcomedthree kids: son Arthur Michael William and daughters Grace Elizabeth Jane and Rose Louise Victoria.
Though the couple tend to keep their relationship and kidsout of the public eye, Pippa has occasionally spoken about juggling motherhood and her personal goals, including fitness.
“Family life and motherhood has consumed much of my spare time and unsurprisingly the challenges I thrived on have taken a back seat,” she told fitness brandHOKAin 2021. “Running and fitness still form part of my weekly routine but not to the level it was before.”
“My running has been more after babies and toddlers than crossing finish lines, which I’m fine with — for now!" Pippa added.
They are involved in charitable organizations
Pippa Middleton poses for a photo with her brother, James Middleton, after finishing the Race Across America in June 2014 in Annapolis, Maryland.Paul Morigi/WireImage
Paul Morigi/WireImage
Like their older sister, Pippa and James work with charitable organizations. Since 2014, Pippa hasserved as an ambassadorfor the research charity The British Heart Foundation, which funds research into heart and circulatory diseases and their causes.
When her ambassadorship was announced in 2014, Pippa spoke about how she hoped to raise awareness around the importance of heart health for women and prevention of disease through healthy habits.
“I was shocked to learn that nearly three times more women die from coronary heart disease than breast cancer. I’m passionate about raising awareness amongst women of this killer disease and I look forward to working with the BHF to highlight to women the risks of heart disease and importantly, how they can reduce them,” she said in astatementat the time.
James has also gotten to work with charities he is passionate about, including Pets as Therapy, where he serves as an ambassador after experiencing firsthand the “incredible impact” of animals.
“The charity does amazing work, bringing the joy and comfort of animals to those in need, whether it’s in hospitals, nursing homes, schools or other environments," he said inhis bioon the organization’s website. “I’m so grateful to be a part of such a meaningful organisation.”
In addition, he has also helped open a center for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and Dogs Trust Cardiff and donated a puppy to Guide Dogs, which trains service dogs. In May 2023, his dog food company, James & Ella (formerly called Ella & Co.), donated cold-pressed dog food to displaced dogs in Ukraine via K9 Rescue International.
“They are a small team who are making a big difference, and I’m honoured to have played a small part in their efforts,” hecaptioned an Instagram videoof dogs in Ukraine enjoying the food. “I’m so grateful that there are organisations going above and beyond to help support these innocent souls. Let’s continue to make a difference, one bowl of food at a time.”
James married his wife in 2021
Alizee Thevenet and James Middleton attend the Bulgari gala dinner to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and unveil the ‘Jubilee Emerald Garden’ in July 2022 in London, England.David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty
David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty
Jamestied the knotwith longtime girlfriendAlizée Theveneton Sept. 11, 2021, over three years after they first met. For the French financial analyst, her “something borrowed” for the wedding had extra special meaning for her husband and his family — it was his mother’s wedding dress!
“While talking about dresses with Carole and sharing ideas during lockdown for inspiration,I tried on her wedding dress and fell in love with it,” she revealed toHello!magazine. “It fitted me perfectly and was exactly what I wanted. It always troubled me that wedding dresses are only worn once, so it was amazing to give such a beautiful dress a second lease of life.”
Afterannouncing their pregnancyin the summer, the pair became first-time parents when their son, Inigo, was born in October 2023.
“No matter how prepared I thought I was …I was not prepared for the overwhelming emotionof meeting Inigo for the first time and the love for my darling Alizée as we became three,” the proud new dadwrote on Instagramwhile sharing photos of the newborn.
They attend royal events
Pippa and James Middleton arrive at the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in May 2023 in London, England.Andrew Milligan - WPA Pool/Getty
Andrew Milligan - WPA Pool/Getty
Princess Kate’s sister and brother make frequent appearances at royal events, both formal and more casual. In May 2023, they were both present in Westminster Abbeyat the coronationofKing CharlesandQueen Camillawith their parents.
The family was alsoon hand to support Kateat the royal’s first-everChristmas carol concertin 2021. The Middleton family was seated front and center during the event, which paid tribute to the work of U.K. individuals and organizations who supported their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pippa and James have also madefrequent appearances in the standsof the Wimbledon tennis championships most summers,both togetherand with their significant others.
They’re supportive of each other
Kate Middleton with her sister Pippa Middleton at the 2012 Wimbledon Championships tennis tournament.LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty
LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty
Despite their busy schedules, Kate and Pippa made time to support their brother when he was going through a difficult period. After theloss of his beloved cocker spanielElla, who hecredited with saving his life, his sisters were there to support him.
“Everybody knew how much she meant to meand there was a day they feared the most: the day Ella was no longer in my life. She meant something to all of them too,” James wrote in a tribute essay published inThe Sunday Times.
James, who has been open abouthis struggles with depression, added of Kate and Pippa, “My sisters came to some of my therapy sessions. They’ve always been there during difficult times and they were at my side during the hardest of times as well.”
He also shared that his loved ones attended Ella’s burial and that her influence will live on through her puppies, many of whom have stayed in the family.
source: people.com
