Carole Middleton has confirmed daughter Pippa is expecting her second child in a candid interview with Good Housekeeping.
The Duchess of Cambridge’s mother, 66, who lives in Berkshire with her husband, Michael, told the magazine she is a ‘very hands-on’ grandmother to Kate’s children Prince George, seven, Princess Charlotte, five, and Prince Louis, two, as well as Pippa’s first child Arthur, two.
Speaking of her hopes for the next year, Carole revealed younger daughter Pippa is pregnant with husband James Matthews, explaining: ‘I hope to see more of my family than I could last year, including, of course, my new grandchild.’
During the candid discussion, the 66-year-old also revealed her love of Jess Glynne and House music for ‘kitchen discos’.
The Duchess of Cambridge’s mother Carole Middleton, 66, has confirmed daughter Pippa is expecting her second child in a candid interview with Good Housekeeping
Kate Middleton’s sister Pippa was snapped days ago walking through the streets of London with what appeared to be a blossoming baby bump
Carole appears on the cover of the magazine wearing a £375 Seventies-inspired floral print dress from Wyse London, befitting the arrival of spring.
The 66-year-old opened up about her close relationship with the four youngest members of her family, explaining: ‘I want to run down the hills, climb the trees, and go through the tunnel at the playground. As long as I am able to, that’s what I’ll be doing. I cook with them, I muck around dancing, we go on bike rides.’
She said she would hope to pass down a love of the countryside and hoped she could help them ‘really see the value of being able to appreciate nature and be active outdoors.’
Describing herself as ‘very family-orientated’, Carole said she has always ‘tried hard to be a listening grandmother and mother-in-law’ to Prince William, 38, and Pippa’s husband James Matthews.
Carole said her relationship with Kate, Pippa and James had ‘evolved’ as they had welcomed their own children
She said: ‘That is why we are all still close, because our relationship has evolved as my children have had children. I’ve learned to be a wise grandmother, I hope.’
Meanwhile she said she had spent ‘a lot of quality time’ with son James and his girlfriend Alizee, who moved in with the Middletons to their Berkshire home ahead of the first lockdown.
Carole explained the rest of the family had become ‘good at doing video calls’ and had done ‘a lot of quizzes’ which became ‘very competitive.’
Pippa was snapped last week out and about in London with the beginnings of a blossoming baby bump, however Carole’s comments offer confirmation she is expecting her second child.
A source close to the Middleton family told Page Six in December Kate’s sister was expecting, saying: ‘Pippa and James are thrilled, it’s fantastic news amid a difficult year. The entire family is delighted’.
Describing herself as ‘very family-orientated’ and a ‘very hands-on’ grandmother to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Arthur (pictured, with Prince George and Charlotte)
The interview comes amid reports the mother-of-three has asked the publishers of the magazine not to promote the cover with her, over fears it will look ‘insensitive’ while Prince Philip is battling ill-health in hospital.
Carole has reportedly asked publishers of her interview not to promote it because Prince Philip, 99, is still in hospital.
The news comes ahead of a ‘tell-all’ interview with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Oprah Winfrey which is set to air in the UK on Monday night, despite criticism of its timing.
A source told the Sun: ‘Carole is incredibly proud of her company and all the hard work that goes into it.
‘But whilst backing the business, she didn’t want to turn any news into a media circus because she is so respectful and sensitive to Catherine, and the royal family.’
Last month, royal commentators Jennie Bond and Tom Quinn predicted it will be Carole and husband Michael, who will spend the most time with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Kate Middleton’s family will have a ‘bigger influence’ on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s children than the Firm, experts have claimed. Pictured, Kate and William with Prince George, seven, Princess Charlotte, five and Prince Louis, two at at Anmer Hall in Norfolk
Quinn said: ‘It will be the Middletons that have the influence, because the royal family is too formal, it’s too stuck in its ways.’
Bond added: ‘Kate will always turn to Carole for help, advice guidance, and just get together and romping around with the kids – possibly before she would get together with Camilla and Charles.’
Michael and Carole Middleton met while working for British Airways as an aircraft dispatcher and air hostess, marrying in Buckinghamshire in 1980.
While Michael, 71, was born into well-off family, Carole grew up in a council house in Southall, west London.
The pair founded hugely successful business Party Pieces in 1987 from their garden shed.
They moved into their home in Berkshire in 1993, where they raised their three children Kate, Pippa and James, 33.
Due to their thriving business were able to send Pippa and Kate to the prestigious Marlborough College.
Michael and Carole Middleton met while working for British Airways as an aircraft dispatcher and air hostess, marrying in Buckinghamshire in 1980. Pictured, Carole, Michael, James and Pippa Middleton