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Kate Middleton’s parents axe half their staff amid business woes

It’s the shop that allegedly made Kate Middleton’s parents their millions but according to reports, Carole and Michael Middleton’s business is going through a hard time. Photo: Getty Images
It’s the shop that allegedly made Kate Middleton’s parents their millions but according to reports, Carole and Michael Middleton’s business is going through a hard time. Photo: Getty Images

It’s the shop that made Kate Middleton’s parents their millions but according to reports, Carole and Michael Middleton’s business is going through a hard time.

Three staff members at the Middleton’s Party Pieces business – which supplies decorations and favours for children’s parties – were laid off, and a fourth worker was told their future at the company is uncertain, according to The Sun.

“There is a terrible air of doom and gloom about the place,” a source told the publication.

Prince William has been “nothing but supportive” of his wife, Kate, and her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton,” Page Six reports.

Carole met flight dispatcher Michael while working as a flight attendant for British Airways.

The couple were married in 1980 and Kate was born on 9 January 1982. Pippa arrived the following year and the family moved to Jordan for two-and-a-half years.

Their only son James was born in 1987 and Carole launched her children’s party supplies business that year, putting up flyers in Kate’s local playgroup in Bucklebury.

A year or so later, Michael gave up his job to help.

Carole launched her children’s party supplies business that year, putting up flyers in Kate’s local playgroup in Bucklebury. A year or so later, Michael gave up his job to help. Photo: Getty Images
Carole launched her children’s party supplies business that year, putting up flyers in Kate’s local playgroup in Bucklebury. A year or so later, Michael gave up his job to help. Photo: Getty Images

Their three children – Kate, Pippa and James – “played a huge part” in the development of the business “from modelling for the catalogue to developing new categories for the brand”, the Party Pieces website states.

“James established our personalised cakes, Catherine started the 1st birthday side of the business, and Pippa developed the Party Pieces blog,” Carol says.

After graduating from St. Andrews University, Kate worked for her parents for a brief time and also as a buyer for British clothing brand Jigsaw.

Since then she has become a full-time royal and mum to Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

With extra reporting by Danielle Stacey

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