Carole and Michael Middleton live in a £4.7 million home in Bucklebury. For most of then-Kate Middleton’s courtship with Prince William, the Middletons lived in a smaller (but still nice) family home in Bucklebury. Then after Kate and William married, William took money out of his trust to help Carole and Mike purchase this larger “manor house” fit for a queen. I always call it Middleton Manor, I have no idea if the place actually has a name. Middleton Manor is supposed to be quite nice, one of the nicest homes in Bucklebury. It’s gotten a number of upgrades over the years, mostly security upgrades, and the Middletons apparently own commercial property in Bucklebury too, where Party Pieces is headquartered, and for a time, where James Middleton operated his clownish marshmallow operation, Boomf. We never did learn who owns the pot farm adjacent to Middleton Manor, by the way.
In any case, you get the idea. The Middletons are big fish in the small pond of Bucklebury, and Carole Middleton swans around like the lady of the manor. Now, five months after Russia invaded Ukraine, Carole wants people to know that she’s thinking about housing Ukrainian refugees in Middleton Manor. This story is so curious.
The Duchess of Cambridge’s parents want to welcome Ukrainian refugees into their Berkshire home, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. Carole and Michael Middleton are understood to be examining plans to create an annexe at the manor house in the village of Bucklebury that they bought for £4.7 million a decade ago.
‘Bucklebury has housed a good number of refugees and Carole has been getting advice from villagers and seeking information about how the process has worked for others in the area,’ said a source. Neighbours who have already provided sanctuary include broadcaster Chris Tarrant and Tory politician Lord Benyon, a friend of the Middletons who recently held a fundraising event for refugees at his stately home.
The source added: ‘Carole talked about wanting refugees to feel they have their own space in her home and has been talking about the logistics of how it all works. There have been a few conversations about this, back and forth. Carole suggested she and some of those who are housing refugees should meet up, to get to know each other and because she wants to find a way to house refugees herself. She’s very philanthropic and wants to be known for her charitable nature as well as her business.’
It is thought one option under consideration is to convert a living room at seven-bedroom Bucklebury Manor into separate accommodation for a family fleeing Ukraine. There are, however, issues around security still to consider, given the regular visits to the property by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their three children, George, Charlotte and Louis.
‘Carole doesn’t have many outbuildings and Kate’s security stay in the main house when they come, so she’ll have to find a way to make it work that is safe,’ said one Bucklebury villager. ‘Carole is very popular here and she’s done wonders for the community and for the family farm. She’s a real tour de force.’
Mrs Middleton, 67, who founded the event supplies firm Party Pieces in 1987, is already involved with Bucklebury Farm Park, a petting zoo owned by her son-in-law James Matthews – daughter Pippa’s husband – which offers free entry to Ukrainian refugees.
The source added: ‘Carole is looking for other ways to support some of the refugees while she sorts out the logistics for accommodating them at her home. She has looked into hosting a fundraiser or a village social event for refugees which could take place at the farm.’
If Carole and Mike are able to help, good for them. The stories of people welcoming refugees into their homes are so heartwarming. But I have to say that this particular story strikes me as somewhat odd. One, we’re five months into the Ukrainian crisis. While people still need help and obviously it’s important to keep news about Ukraine circulating, it does feel like Carole is coming to this kind of late? Almost like she’s bandwagoning and clout-chasing? It also strikes me that this is almost a Kate-like promise to eventually be keen? Carole isn’t making firm plans to welcome refugees – she’s making plans to add some buildings to her manor estate with the cover story of “possibly welcoming refugees maybe.” Also: all of this Middleton news recently feels so sus. Why are all of the Middletons everywhere right now? Why is Carole trying to get credit for thinking about refugees? Curious.
Photos courtesy of Getty, Avalon Red, Backgrid.
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- Carole Middleton Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse – Ladies Day, Day 3 Berkshire, England – 21.06.12,Image: 308735318, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: – / Wenn / Avalon
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- Carole Middleton attending the wedding of her daughter Pippa Middleton and James Matthews at St Mark’s Church, Englefield, Berkshire, UK. 20/05/2017.,Image: 513165692, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR SEVEN DAYS- Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: – / Avalon
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- 167256, Carole Middleton, the mother of the Duchess of Cambridge and Pippa Middleton, spectates from the Royal box on day four of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships. London, United Kingdom – Thursday July 6, 2017. UK, FRANCE, AUS, NZ, CHINA, HONG KONG, TAIWAN, SPAIN & ITALY OUT Photograph: Ã?© Stephen Lock/i-Images, PacificCoastNews. Los Angeles Office (PCN): +1 310.822.0419 UK Office (Avalon): +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 sales@pacificcoastnews.com FEE MUST BE AGREED PRIOR TO USAGE,Image: 533038972, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS, DIRECT SALES ONLY UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE IN CAPTION – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251 Madrid: +34 91 533 4289, Model Release: no, Credit line: i-Images, PacificCoastNews / Avalon
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- The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, accompanied by other Members of the Royal Family, will attend the Together At Christmas community carol service at Westminster Abbey on Wednesday 8th December. Hosted and spearheaded by The Duchess, and supported by The Royal Foundation, the event will pay tribute to the incredible work of individuals and organisations across the UK who have supported their communities through the COVID-19 pandemic. Filmed for broadcast, the service will provide a moment for the nation to come together and reflect, to think not only of the extraordinary challenges that we have faced, but also to celebrate the acts of kindness that we have witnessed across our nation, the communities pulling together to protect and care for those in need, and those who have stepped up to help others. Combining traditional elements with a modern and inclusive feel to encompass people of all faiths and none, the service will feature carols sung by the world-renowned Westminster Abbey choir alongside musical performances by Leona Lewis and Ellie Goulding. It will also incorporate a performance of To The Day, a poignant composition created for the service by poet and writer Lemn Sissay, and readings delivered by speakers including The Duke of Cambridge, British Paralympian and junior doctor Kim Daybell and Kate Garraway. 8 December 2021,Image: 647072730, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon / Avalon
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- ** RIGHTS: ONLY UNITED STATES, BRAZIL, CANADA ** London, UNITED KINGDOM – Carole Middleton attends day nine of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 12, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. Pictured: Carole Middleton BACKGRID USA 12 JULY 2017 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- ** RIGHTS: ONLY UNITED STATES, BRAZIL, CANADA ** London, UNITED KINGDOM – Carole Middleton and Michael Middleton seen on day three at The Championships at Wimbledon. Pictured: Carole Middleton, Michael Middleton BACKGRID USA 4 JULY 2018 BYLINE MUST READ: RUSHEN / BACKGRID USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- London, UNITED KINGDOM – Members of The British Royal Family attend “Together At Christmas” Community Carol Service at Westminster Abbey. Pictured: Carole Middleton, Michael Middleton and Pippa Middleton BACKGRID USA 8 DECEMBER 2021 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- London, UNITED KINGDOM – Members of The British Royal Family attend “Together At Christmas” Community Carol Service at Westminster Abbey. Pictured: Carole Middleton BACKGRID USA 8 DECEMBER 2021 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
It sounds to me like Carole wants to add some outbuildings to her estate and thinks that it will be easier to do so (maybe from a permit or zoning perspective) if she says its for the Ukrainian refugees. Wonder if the new outbuilding will be for Kate’s security so they don’t have to stay in the house if Kate starts staying there for longer stretches of time…..hmmm.
Oh and @Kaiser – I think the actual name really is just Bucklebury Manor. So Middleton Manor fits too lol.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bucklebury_Manor
It sounds like Carole is expecting kate and the kids to stay over more often and wants to create extra space, using the Ukrainian refugees as an excuse.
If she really wanted to help them she would have done so right away.
This is it. She wants to expand her “manor” with grants and tax breaks (not sure how it works in the UK, but I’m sure there are incentives).
God this woman is the worst.
Hang on … the place is actually named Buckleberry? I always thought that was a joke name like Salt Island.
I live in a place which along several other towns, my friends and I call The Blueburys I figured it was like that.
@North of Boston, 😂
Also, this reads like it was written by CarolE herself. Her “PR” efforts are so transparent.
that was my thought @Lorelei. Carole is the “Bucklebury villager” lolol.
Yes @ Lorelei, it was written by that hag. CarolE’s fingerprints are all over this bit; ‘Carole is very popular here and she’s done wonders for the community and for the family farm. She’s a real tour de force.’
I need a vomit bag to read this crap pumped out by CarolE. My gawd, she is the top 5 of the worst humans on Salt Island.
Yo, I can’t believe it’s the real name either. I always think of the cartoon show when I read it.
If it was a joke name it would probably be ‘Buttonbury’.
If this idea does indeed come to fruition, I can’t throw shade on it.
It’s too little too late. It’s the Kate tactic, or Kate got it from her mom, talking about doing something rather than, you know, actually doing something. And expecting kudos for talking about doing something.
It is curious. I hope it is for the good of the refugees in need and not for personal gain. That’s all.
It said she wants to be known for her charitable nature as well as her business……
Genuinely charitable people do things for others because they want the person to be helped… not because they want to be seen as charitable. If it’s the latter, most people have the sense to try hide their motives, and pretend it’s because they care. That someone would directly say “she wants to be known as charitable” is weird.
“She’s done wonders for the community and for the family farm”? In what way? What specifically has she done for the community? And how is she involved in her son-in-law’s business? Is she taking credit for his charitable acts too? This is exactly like the keen articles about Kate. She will get credit for thinking good thoughts but, in the end, it wasn’t doable because of security for Kate and the grandkids.
I think that weed farm at the back of the house was a boon for the locals.
This story is just weird. Why does she have to leak to the press that she’s thinking of taking in Ukrainian refugees and why does she have to renovate her house to do it? Just give them two rooms. Carole is a real life Hyacinth Bucket.
Didn’t the express claim a few months ago that some of the British royal family were housing or thinking of housing Ukrainian refugees. Then we never heard anything more.
Feels like from Boris Johnson to the royal family some seem to use the situation in Ukraine for PR.
Bit weird that the article says Carole wants to be known for her philanthropy. I sort of wonder if Carole felt a bit of rivalry with Doria. It feels like after it came out that Doria had run a marathon for suicide prevention in 2019& had suggested Harry & Meghan volunteer with Project angel food back in April 2020 & there was article about Doria inspiring Meghan’s charity work that there seems to be more leaks like this about Carole’s charity work & volunteering.
Sorry, my comment above was in response to Amy Bee.
Ever so slightly off topic, has anyone else wondered about Pippa & James buying a £15 million house close to Bucklebury Manor — that’s got to burn Kate: when she moves into her little 4 bedroom cottage & baby sis is in a far nicer, bigger place than her. So are her parents. They have 7 bedrooms (I have no idea how many bathrooms). Even James & Alizee have recently bought a £1.5million farmhouse close to mummy and daddy in Berkshire. Middleton’s closing ranks?
I think Kate is more irked that the half-black duchess in Montecito has a nicer home and lifestyle.
They could be closing ranks or just getting ready to cash in when Willy Cone Head becomes POW.
Dear Kaiser you have a way with words and names. Love the adjectives you use as well..Let’s not forget the pic selections
Someone’s gotta work the pot farm.
I am certain that CarolE has a green thumb. Possibly Michael as well.
This story is so ludicrous. As everyone has mentioned, the war started 5 months ago. CarolE should have gotten her sh!t together 5 months ago, not now.
Is it too cynical to think that Ma Middleton is looking for a royal handout to do a bit of remodelling?
It sounds like she’s planning to move the security staff from the main house to another building, or build something entirely new for the royal security, which might be covered by the taxpayer, right? How often are Kate and her children staying there that their security detail is a permanent fixture? Hmmm.
And all if these improvements are just a way for selfless Carole to make “improvements” to her house…for, uh, the refugees. Maybe. She’s certainly considering it.
@Jay, considering who we’re talking about, no, I definitely don’t think it’s too cynical. This woman always has ulterior (usually selfish) motives.
Sounds like the reno’s have already happened and the UK taxpayer has already footed the bill and this is pre-emptive PR to head off any stories about it.
Good catch @ DU!! That is probably what has happened already….
This is just a cover. A lousy cover, but one still the same.
This feels very much like the stories we hear about William wanting to take a course so that he could help out with a mental health crisis phone line or that he wanted to go back to flying ambulance helicopters during the pandemic but as far as I’ve seen he’s done neither. I think that Carole is taking a page out of her SIL’s playbook but then darn, because of security issues she’s unable to actually take refugees into her home.
I’d love this to be true and we need to stay focussed on the need for homes for refugees but my take on this story is obvious PR is obvious. Don’t hurt yourself jumping on that bandwagon CarolE.
I poured cold water on Pippa’s masters for her personally tailored course developed specifically based on only things she liked and was interested in, but it was actually refreshing a Middleton only courted publicity when having finished something.
Then… go do it lol. Don’t understand why this needs an announcement other than they want credit/publicity for doing so. And it’s not even a guarantee or whatever it’s a “she’s looking into it” so it may or may not even happen.
I have a feeling this detail- that William took money from his trust to give to the Middletons to buy a bigger house- is more relevant to explain what has been happening with them for years now.
I think they were very happy when William came along and were prepared to make the most of it. It was a win win even if Kate had only managed to be his university girlfriend- which was what EVERYONE expected- but William proved to be even more dumb and desperate, so once Kate started having ” heirs”, they convinced him there was ” need” for a better house.
I think William´s intentions were never to touch his trust. I think he asked Charles, was denied, got pissed, then touched his inheritance- which is the only money he truly has.
I think now he looks back and see it was a mistake and is one in the long list of grievances he now has, so this whole spiel of housing ukrainian refugees seems to be a ploy for having William giving them more money to renovate…I suppose Kate is indeed spending more time there with the kids and is not happy about the ” cottage” she got, so this is them either trying to explain renovations or forcing William´s hand
@Moderatelywealthy your theory makes a lot of sense to me. I had not considered money he spent from his inheritance may be part of his lengthy list of aggravations.
This strikes me as a cover story/excuse for adding a guest house to get…idk the zoning approval?? Neighbors on board?? I don’t know how all the works there but this is NOT about helping people.
Hmm. I’ll believe it when I see it. They’ve already suggested that this may not be feasible “for security reasons”, so I guess that will be reason given when it doesn’t happen.
The whole narrative is odd really. So she’s looking into doing a fundraiser at her house – meanwhile Lord Benyon has just gone ahead and done exactly that.
And “She’s very philanthropic and wants to be known for her charitable nature as well as her business.” Where has this suddenly come from?
There’s a big TV doc on Camilla this week (the non-critical kind) – maybe Carole feels she must compete?
Carole always has her hand out. The Middletons are always grasping for something. I wonder if William will finally get tired of that.
Does anyone remember when that totally random story about a Prince William affordable housing initiative came out a while back? It was a tactical SEO play to bury Prince William affair, which was trending at the time. This story gives me those same vibes, like they want to flood the zone with stories about the Middletons and Berkshire to bury all those speculative articles about Kate and William moving for some reason.
When Kate comes to stay at Bucklebury, her security takes a room as they have 7 bedrooms. Funny how it doesn’t mention Will or his security. More credence to the “I’m taking the kids to my parents!” fighting and the separate lives they are living. Alas, the stories of Carole’s being “the second mum” to Will have gone away, now she has to give the Mail something else.