Carole Middleton's "Almost Unheard-Of" Discretion Has Turned Her From a Royal "Guest" to "Family," Says Biographer

Carole Middleton and Zara Tindall wearing gray coats walking next to each other.

When Carole Middleton made an appearance at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, she didn’t just exchange pleasantries with the Royal Family and move on to her own friends. Instead, Princess Kate’s mother walked into the racecourse with Zara and Mike Tindall, going on to watch the races from the royal box next to Queen Camilla and Princess Anne. Carole even hugged the no-nonsense Princess Royal as they cheered on the horses, and one royal biographer says that the Middletons have become a trusted part of the Royal Family.

Royal author and journalist Robert Jobson recently told Hello! that Carole’s discreet nature has helped earn the admiration of the royals. “The Middletons aren’t guests any more,” he shared. “They stopped being guests a long time ago. They’re family.”