THE OTHER ROYAL MATRIARCH

On her milestone birthday, we look at Carole Middleton's unique relationship with daughter Kate - the future Queen – and her family

- TRACY SCHAVERIEN

Her unwavering loyalty and support have sustained the Princess of Wales through the toughest times of her life, including her recovery from cancer. And as Carole Middleton celebrated her 70th birthday last week, daughter Kate was one of the first people to express her love and gratitude to the matriarch who has been her rock through thick and thin.

Carole's milestone on 31 January came after a turbulent year in which Kate has needed her strong, resilient mother more than ever. No doubt her big day was a double celebration as she and her family put the trauma of recent months behind them.

“Carole has always been a rock for Kate, especially this past year – she's been amazing,” royal expert and author Ingrid Seward tells HELLO!.

“I have met her a couple of times and the word that keeps coming back to me is ‘strength’. I imagine her as a sort of pioneer woman, driving a wagon with a rifle at her feet and three children in the back, fighting off any enemy. Basically, that's what she's been doing all her life, isn't it?”

A MOTHER'S STRENGTH

Carole has certainly shown strength as she has steadfastly remained by Kate's side, caring for her at home as she recovered from abdominal surgery and was later given the devastating news that she had cancer.

Last March, she was spotted driving her daughter in a 4x4 near Windsor Castle, close to the home Kate shares with her husband the Prince and their children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and six-year-old Prince Louis. It was the first time the Princess had been seen since her operation, and it was clear how much she was relying on her mother.