Pippa Middleton’s birthday | Daily Mail Online

She enjoys her own private life as a family, but also stands by her sister, the Princess of Wales.

Pippa Middleton, who turns 41 today, has had a difficult year as she watches her older brother battle cancer.

The couple has always had an exceptionally close relationship and this has really become apparent lately.

When Kate went to Wimbledon in July, after days of speculation about her attendance, Pippa was there too (along with Princess Charlotte).

As her sister was warmly welcomed onto the famous Centre Court, Pippa smiled proudly.

Her strong bond with her cousin Charlotte was also evident as the two chatted happily during the matches.

Pippa’s unwavering loyalty to her sister has even led to speculation that she could become Kate’s lady-in-waiting, although nothing has been officially confirmed.

Philippa Charlotte Middleton was born on September 6, 1983 to Carole and Michael Middleton. She is only 18 months younger than her sister.

The family moved to Jordan when she was one year old and she spent her early years in Amman while her father worked for British Airways.

In 1986 they returned to Berkshire and the following year her younger brother James was born.

During her childhood, Pippa helped out in her parents’ family business, Party Pieces.

Her mother Carole revealed in an interview with The Telegraph in 2018: ‘It was part of the kids’ lives – and it still is – and they came to help. They did a lot of modeling.

‘Pippa did the blog. I still value their ideas and opinions.’

The middle child, Middleton, attended St Andrew’s School in Pangbourne and then went on to Marlborough College, where she was awarded a sports scholarship.

She then studied English literature at the University of Edinburgh.

After graduating, she worked briefly at a PR agency promoting luxury products, before moving on to a job in event management.

Pippa sparkled in a figure-hugging Alexander McQueen dress at Kate’s wedding to William in April 2011, where she was her sister’s bridesmaid.

Copies of her bridesmaid dress soon went on sale on the high street and were much sought after.

It was the start of a trend now known as the ‘Pippa Middleton effect’.

Years later she said she didn’t expect this reaction: “I was surprised and I still don’t understand it.”

‘I’ve been in the public eye for a number of years and as a result I’ve developed a thick skin.

“But it’s quite difficult to manage it all by myself. I’ve been through a lot, like being followed by people hiding behind cars and jumping out with cameras. That can be nerve-wracking.”

Pippa explored various career options and wrote for publications including Waitrose Kitchen Magazine, The Sunday Times and Vanity Fair.

However, Pippa’s life as a media personality was reportedly ‘quietly and diplomatically kept in check’ by her brother-in-law Prince William.

Instead, she shifted her focus to more charitable initiatives and is now an ambassador for The British Heart Foundation, Disability Snowsport UK and The Mary Hare School for deaf children.

In 2016, she became engaged to James Matthews, a racing driver who later became a city trader. The couple married in May 2017 at St Mark’s Church in Englefield, Berkshire, near the Middleton family home.

They now have three children together: Arthur, Grace and Rose.

She gave birth to her children in the Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital in London, the same place where Kate gave birth to Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Pippa and James enjoy a quiet life with their children in Berkshire, where they own a stunning £15million estate with 150 acres of land.