Kate Middleton’s Siblings Once Admitted They Had a Hard Time Dealing With the Fame of the Royal Family
Kate Middleton and Prince William seem to be a match made in heaven. Still, although Kate came from an affluent British family, she had no idea what she was in for when she started dating Prince William back in the early 2000s.
These days, Kate is the pinnacle of class; she’s one of the most-liked royals in the family and has clearly earned her spot. But it wasn’t always easy for her — and her brother and sister have since admitted that it wasn’t easy for them, either.
Kate was raised in a very tight-knit family
Growing up, Kate and her family did everything together. Her mother and father, Michael and Carole Middleton, raised their kids to put family first, and these days, the five of them are still a close-knit group. Kate and her sister, Pippa Middleton, were close in age, and though they were competitive, it was always in a fun-loving way.
Kate’s younger brother, James, is five years younger than her, and she always supported his every move, including going to therapy with him when he was struggling with his mental health. William, Kate, and their kids have even skipped Christmas with the queen in the past to spend it with her family instead.
Kate wants to emulate her upbringing in raising her own children
William and Kate now have three children of their own to raise, but Kate hasn’t forgotten the dynamic she had while growing up. And she reportedly hopes to raise her own children with the same family dynamic that she was fortunate enough to have.
William and Kate try to be the most hands-on parents possible, despite their massive fame and responsibilities. They spend as much time outside with the kids as they can and hope to give them a sense of normalcy, despite raising them under a microscope.
Kate’s brother said he felt pressured to be successful
Though Kate’s siblings are very supportive of her relationship and lifestyle, her brother, James, did admit to feeling some pressure with having such a prominent sister. “Suddenly, and very publicly, I was being judged about whether I was a success or a failure,” he told Tatler in 2019. “That does put pressure on you.” He hinted that the pressure coming from Kate’s fame played a role in his depression, though he made sure to say that there were several factors.
James and Pippa share Kate’s last name, and naturally, people started to accuse them of trying to profit off the family name through their own businesses. In 2014, Pippa told Today that the attention that came with her dress at her sister’s wedding was “embarrassing,” though she noted it was flattering as well. “It has been difficult, I suppose, going from a very normal life to sort of managing everything that happened after the wedding,” she said.
Kate still remains very close with her siblings
These days, Kate still keeps up a good relationship with her parents and siblings. It’s easy to get swept away in the royal life, but Kate has managed to balance her status with also remaining grounded and remembering where she came from. Though she doesn’t see her brother and sister as much as she once did, she’s now channeling her close relationships with them into the way she raises her own kids.
