Carole Middleton, the mother of Princess Kate, Princess of Wales, is reportedly striving to protect her daughter from the financial difficulties facing their family, amidst Princess Kate's ongoing health challenges.
The Middleton family, including Carole's husband, Michael Middleton, is navigating more than $300,000 in debt following the administration of their business last year, The Times UK reports. This financial strain emerges as the Princess of Wales undergoes preventative chemotherapy.
A source close to the family shared with Us Weekly that Carole Middleton's primary concern is ensuring the Princess remains focused on her health, without the added stress of the family's financial situation.
"It’s a very worrying time for the family, but they are not looking for any assistance from their children and don’t want them to worry," the source stated, highlighting the independent stance taken by Princess Kate's parents, despite the involvement of her siblings, Pippa and James Middleton.
The Times recently detailed that the Middleton's business, The Party Pieces Company, faced insolvency firm costs exceeding $329,000 after entering administration in June of the previous year, accumulating over $3.16 million in debt. Royal commentator Afua Hagan underscored the challenging times for the Middleton family, noting Carole's efforts to minimize stress for her daughter during her public battle with cancer.
In 2021, the Party Pieces Company sought to broaden its market reach through a retail partnership in America, a move Carole Middleton described as exciting for the brand's expansion. Despite the optimism, the company experienced a significant setback as several key financial backers withdrew support, leading to its administration managed by Interpath Advisory.
Interpath Advisory's restructuring professionals have since incurred substantial fees, contributing to the family's financial burdens. Amid these difficulties, Princess Kate, 42, has sought privacy with her husband, Prince William, and their children, as she navigates her cancer diagnosis, which she described as a "huge shock" in a statement released by Kensington Palace.
Princess Kate emphasized the importance of handling this matter privately for the wellbeing of their young family, amidst speculations surrounding her absence from public engagements.
Meanwhile, Stephen Colbert, the host of "The Late Show" on CBS, has addressed the backlash over his recent jokes about Princess Kate, the Princess of Wales, following the announcement of her cancer diagnosis. Colbert, 59, known for his critical views on the monarchy, acknowledged the controversy but stopped short of issuing an apology.
During a segment on his show, Colbert recognized that his comedic remarks regarding the Princess's absence from the public eye had caused upset, particularly in light of her health news. While he did not offer a direct apology, he conveyed his sympathy for Princess Kate and her family.
"I do not make light of somebody else's tragedy," Colbert stated, underscoring his understanding of the gravity of any cancer diagnosis and its impact on the patient and their loved ones. He also expressed his wishes for the Princess's well-being, as per Express UK.
Colbert further remarked on the nature of his profession, explaining that as a television host, part of his role involves making jokes about current topics of public discussion. He admitted that speculation about the Princess's whereabouts prior to the official announcement had been rampant, and his commentary was in line with the widespread conversation.
Despite his attempt to clarify his position and extend well wishes to Princess Kate, Colbert's response has not quelled the criticism. Dickie Arbiter, a former press officer for the Queen, took to X (formerly Twitter) to critique Colbert's remarks. Arbiter criticized the absence of a direct apology from Colbert, commenting on the tendency of American chat show hosts to make jokes at the expense of others.
He emphasized that Princess Kate was in recovery following surgery, as stated by Buckingham Palace, and condemned the insensitivity shown by media figures and social media users alike. "The Princess of Wales didn't disappear, she was recuperating," Arbiter noted, urging a more thoughtful approach to public commentary.
