William is thought to have been drawn to the Middleton family partly because they represented a sense of normality he has rarely been able to experience. With no direct links to aristocracy prior to her marriage to William, Kate’s family offered the royal an escape away from the spotlight. As a result, Mrs Middleton has apparently gained more impact on the Royal Family than initially realised.

Royal author Phil Dampier told Fabulous Digital back in February: “Carole is a very strong woman who comes from quite a humble background and the fact that she has worked herself up with a successful business has given her a backbone of steel.”

Mrs Middleton has grown her own company, Party Pieces, from a homegrown business built in her shed to a firm which is said to have “made the family millions” according to the Daily Mail’s Richard Kay, over three decades.

Her husband also gave up his own job to assist with Party Pieces.

Mr Dampier continued: “Kate turns to [Carole] for advice and comfort all the time and she spends a lot of time with William and Kate’s three children.”

Some insiders have suggested there was even a battle over their eldest child, Prince George, after William’s father Prince Charles felt he did not get to see him enough.

A royal source told The Sun: “Now that Harry and Meghan have in effect left the Royal Family, there is a lot more pressure on William and Kate.

“Carole will be a stabilising and supportive force in the background, looking after the kids when needs be but also just being there for them.

“Carole is very much a power behind the throne and her influence is immense.”

A royal insider even told Fabulous Digital that Mrs Middleton has become a substitute mother for William, who lost Princess Diana when he was just 15.

They explained: “William’s-in-laws have become like second parents and Carole is almost a Diana-type mum.”

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“He certainly feels William spends more time with the Middletons than he does with his own family.”

Mrs Middleton even told The Telegraph back in 2018 that she was without a doubt a “hands-on” grandmother.

She emphasised how she always wants her family to be her priority.

Kate’s mother explained: “Family comes first and that will always be the case, even when I have more me time.”

While Charles is known to also be a keen family man, his dedication to his job means he has to prioritise his duty to the crown.

William acknowledged as much during a 2019 BBC documentary dedicated to his father called ‘Prince, Son and Heir: Charles at 70’.

The Duke of Cambridge explained: “When he’s there, he’s brilliant [but] we need him there as much as possible.”