Inside William’s close relationship with ‘second mum’ Carole Middleton as the pair ‘enjoy a pub outing together’: The Prince of Wales ‘confides’ in his mother-in-law and even ‘helps with housework’ at her Berkshire mansion

She has been his mother-in-law for thirteen years – and over the decades, Carole Middleton has become not only family, but also a close friend who the Prince of Wales can ‘trust’.

Recently the pair were reportedly spotted on a ‘quiet’ pub outing in Norfolk as the Princess of Wales was thought to have stayed at home.

It is understood Kate’s mum stayed with her and William, 41, in Norfolk over Easter – while her daughter is treated for cancer.

It’s no wonder William and ‘second mum’ Carole, 69, have formed a bond over the years. A past expert also noted how she taught her son-in-law “how a loving and supportive family works.”

She has given the prince a “real sense of normalcy amid all the chaos” since he married Kate in 2011, royal biographer Angela Levin said. The sun in 2021.

‘[Carole] made him feel safe, comfortable and protected and that he didn’t have to worry about what he said or be responsible for her emotions,” she claimed.

Carole was also a supportive and very involved grandmother to William and Kate’s children.

Speak with PEOPLEa palace insider also said that Carole and her husband, who only have a short drive from Bucklebury, Berkshire to Windsor, are already “an enduring factor in their grandchildren’s upbringing.”

In an interview Good cleaningCarole – who has seven grandchildren in total – has commented that she wants to ‘run down the hills, climb the trees and go through the tunnel at the playground’.

“As long as I can do it, I will,” she revealed. “I cook with them, I mess around dancing, we go on bike rides.”

And the prince has also found someone he can trust and talk to in his mother-in-law.

Speak with OK in 2022, royal expert Rachael Andrews said that in Carole and Michael, William has two people to confide in “who have been removed from the monarchy.”

According to the outlet, William is even known to help out at their Berkshire home by washing the car with his father-in-law. He and Kate, 42, are also said to have stayed there when George was first born.

The prince also has a good relationship with his wife’s parents because of their shared commitment to Kate’s happiness and safety.

As reported by Mirrorauthor Jennie Bond told OK earlier this year that the ‘attacks’ in Omid Scobie’s Endgame left William feeling ‘guilty and angry because he had promised Kate’s parents that he would protect and care for her’.

“Omid Scobie’s attacks were brutal, so William will feel guilty for only falling in love with someone who happened to be a future king,” she said.

‘Of course there is a lot of baggage involved. It is a unique and different life that you have to have a very thick skin for.’

William also found a mother figure in Carole, with he and Kate relying on her support after his brother Prince Harry and Meghan Markle left the UK, a source said. The sun in 2020.

They said: ‘William’s in-laws have become like second parents and Carole is almost a Diana-type mother.’

The insider added that William and Kate visited Berkshire “quite a few” times after the Sussexes’ departure.

The Prince and Princess of Wales will also be sure to rely on their in-laws as Kate – who recently opened up about her cancer diagnosis – undergoes treatment.

She probably fell in love with her caring parents after leaving the hospital after surgery in January.

A few weeks later, Kate’s mother was caught behind the wheel of a car driving her daughter – who was pictured for the first time in two months since January – around Windsor Castle.

And the doting parent is by her daughter’s side as she focuses on her health.

Speak with The independent last month a source close to the Middletons said: ‘Carole has been the driving force in keeping the family together with minimum fuss and maximum modesty.

‘She picked up George, Louis and Charlotte and took them to school sports matches and gave them endless support. She has been a real Mary Poppins-esque figure.

‘She came to the rescue, provided reassurance and was a source of support to Catherine and William as they came to terms with the news.’

It comes as William was reportedly spotted on a ‘quiet’ pub outing in Norfolk with his mother-in-law, while his wife apparently stayed at home.

“A patron tells me: ‘It was all very quiet, without much fuss. He was just walking in and out of the pub. He appeared to be with Carole Middleton,'” wrote The Daily Mail’s Richard Eden in today’s paper.

‘There was no sign of Catherine, who is being treated for an unknown form of cancer.’

Carole has reportedly supported her daughter during her recovery at her Windsor home, with the princess stepping back from her royal duties until deleted to return by her medical team.

The prince only broke his silence on social media on Wednesday following the tragic news of his wife’s cancer diagnosis, paying tribute to England lioness Rachel Daly after she announced her retirement.

daIn a statement shared on the Prince and Princess of Wales’ Instagram account, he said: ‘Thank you for so many unforgettable performances with Lioneses, Rachel Daly.’

“There are a lot more goals for Villa now,” he joked, with Rachel now focusing solely on her role as Aston Villa number 9.

The family has kept a low profile in recent weeks as the Princess of Wales needs time to recover amid rounds of ‘preventive’ chemotherapy to stop the disease.

Prince William, who has not been seen in public since his wife’s announcement, is not expected to resume his public duties until his children return to school after the holidays.

In an emotional video message announcing the news at the end of March, the princess said it had been an “incredibly tough few months” for her family, but that she was doing well and growing stronger every day.

She added: ‘My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I need to focus on making a full recovery.’