Michael, Carole, Pippa and James Middleton.Photo Credits: Pippa (WEEN.com); Carole and Michael Middleton (XPOSUREPhotos.com); James Middleton (Royal Gossip); Photo of Elizabethan via thamesdinnercruises.co.uk
The Queen has issued an invitation to the entire Middleton family (Carole, Michael, Pippa and James) to join the Diamond Jubilee pageant on The River Thames, it was revealed recently. The surprise move by the Queen shows just how much Kate means to the royal family.
Though the Middletons won’t be situated on the royal barge, they will travel behind the Queen as part of the royal squadron on the the Elizabethan, a replica 1890s Mississippi paddle steamer.
“Michael and Carole’s inclusion on the Elizabethan has only just emerged and has taken a lot of people by surprise, but the Queen is incredibly supportive of the Duchess and her family,” a source told the Daily Mail.
“Boats travelling in the Royal Squadron are solely reserved for special guests of the Queen, which demonstrates just how far the Middletons have come.”
Prince Charles’s former valet (Michael Fawcett) has been hired to attend to the Middleton family for the day; this is possibly a result of Kate’s close relationship with her new father-in-law.
