She was propelled into the spotlight when her daughter Catherine married Prince William in 2011, and Carole Middleton has managed to slip into a royal lifestyle with complete ease ever since.
While she’s known for her elegance and glamorous outfits, she completely stole the show as she joined a host of stars and royalty at Wimbledon on Wednesday in a relaxed and summery white dress.
Showing off a glowing tan, the 63-year-old once again defied the years in the youthful outfit, and towered in nude wedges alongside her husband Michael. Adding large sunglasses and carrying a tanned bag, she appeared completely relaxed and a far cry from her more formal appearances with the royal family.
Carole flashed a beaming smile to cameras as she made her grand entrance, before joining Princess Michael of Kent, Tim Henman’s mother Jane and more in the main Royal Box to watch day three of the annual tennis tournament, including Roger Federer’s match against Lukas Lacko.
Joining them in the main box in centre court was footballer Gerard Pique, rugby player Matt Dawson, actor Stephen Mangan, Lady Gabriella Windsor and Lord Frederick Windsor.
The couple’s youngest daughter Pippa is a regular face at the tennis tournament, and while she didn’t join her parents this time round, she’s likely to make an appearance in the coming week with her millionaire financier husband James Matthews.
However, Catherine herself is unlikely to appear like previous years as she continues to enjoy her maternity leave following the birth of her son Prince Louis.
And it’s a busy week for the whole family as they prepare for Louis’ christening on Monday. Kensington Palace previously confirmed he will be baptised in the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace – famously the setting for Queen Victoria’s wedding in 1840 to Prince Albert, as well as the wedding of the Queen’s grandparents, King George V and Queen Mary, in 1893.
Louis will be baptised by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, who recently took the lead at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding in Windsor.
The christening itself is set to be an extravagant affair with classic music, pretty chocolate and expensive candles — at least if Carole gets her way.
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She shared her lavish demands in her Baby London magazine column recently, Daily Mail reported. And she thinks a decent christening party should cost roughly £2,000 (AU$3,526, US$2,669).
Detailing ways to celebrate such an occasion, the Duchess of Cambridge’s mother suggests creating a time capsule box and asking guests to place handwritten notes, photographs or trinkets inside for the baby to receive on its 18th birthday.
Carole recommends dressing the newly-christened baby in something beautiful, such as a £125 silk gown from Monsoon, adding the baby must also be showered with standout gifts.
The event planner suggests a £49.95 English Trousseau piggy bank from Harrods, a £265 Philippa Herbert plaster cast of the baby’s feet, a £125 Meminio leather ‘memory case’ or a £30 Steiff teddy.
But thats not all. To reward guests for their efforts, Carole recommends expensive candles and chocolate favours for guests to take home. Meanwhile, simple music just won’t cut it — and Carole encourages parents to splash out on a classical harpist or singer for the event.