CELEBRATIONS are in order for Princess Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, who have been married for 44 years today.

While millions tuned in to watch Kate Middleton marry Prince William in 2011, less is known about her parents’ nuptials in 1980.

Carole and Michael Middleton are celebrating 44 years of marriage todayCredit: AFP

We got a glimpse of Carole’s staggering engagement ring at Wimbledon in 2019Credit: Getty

Carole has a £200,000 ‘art-deco’ ring with a square blue stoneCredit: Getty
The couple met when Michael was working as a flight dispatcher and Carole was a flight attendant for British Airways.

It wasn’t long before Michael popped the question, and the pair went on to say their wedding vows at the Church of St James in Dorney, Buckinghamshire.

Carole has been seen wearing several engagement rings over the years, but her latest sparkler is a £200,000 ‘art-deco’ ring with a square blue stone surrounded by diamonds.

She may have been inspired by Kate with the colour, as her daughter received a sapphire ring from Prince William.

Carole’s ring bears a striking resemblance to Pippa Middleton’s £250,000 three-carat Asscher-cut diamond engagement ring.

And while Carole’s jewellery piece certainly is breathtaking, caring for a ring of that calibre can come with challenges.

Diamond expert David Allen of 77 Diamonds said: “It is inspired by the art deco style of the 1920s and 30s.

“Featuring what looks to be a four-carat Asscher cut diamond, it is surrounded by an octagonal surround of round brilliant diamonds to give it that feel of yesteryear.”

Ben Roberts, Managing Director of Clogau – the brand responsible for the Welsh gold that the royals have used to create their wedding rings since 1923 – revealed the upkeep can be expensive.

Speaking about Kate’s 12-carat sapphire engagement ring, he told Hello! magazine: “Even without any alterations, caring for an heirloom of such value comes with its own challenges.

“Kate and her team will need to employ careful maintenance, with regular inspections and in-depth evaluations, gentle cleaning to restore sheen, and, if necessary, expert repairs to ensure its longevity.

“That way, she can continue to wear it every day and maintain a constant connection to the past while grounding her in the present as a beloved senior member of the Royal Family.”

Michael and Carole welcomed their first child Catherine in 1982.

Philippa, known as Pippa, came a year later and in 1987 they completed their family when son James. was born.

Kate Middleton also has a blue ring, which is the late Princess Diana’s 12-carat sapphire engagement ringCredit: Getty

James proposed with a £250k three-carat Asscher-cut diamond engagement ringCredit: GC Images – Getty
Michael and Carole are now the proud grandparents to second in line to the throne Prince George, his sister Princess Charlotte, and Prince William and Princess Kate’s third child, Louis.

They also have three more grandchildren through their second daughter Pippa, who is married to hedge-fund manager, and brother of the Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews, James Matthews.

James and Pippa share two daughters, Grace and Rose, and also have one son called Arthur.

Michael and Carole’s son James Middleton married French financial analyst Alizée Thevenet on September 11, 2021.

What is Michael and Carole Middleton’s net worth?

Michael and Carole’s Party Pieces business meant that the couple turned themselves into self-made millionaires.

At the time of Kate’s wedding to Prince William in 2011 the business was estimated to be worth £30million, reports DailyMail.com.

However, as of 2024, it’s thought the couple have more than £54million between them.

They had their first son Inigo in October 2023.

In 1987 the Middletons launched their own business Party Pieces, after Carole realised she could make some money from creating party bags.

After growing the firm into a multi-million-pound business, Party Pieces was badly hit by the pandemic and Covid restrictions and in April 2023, the company called in advisers at restructuring firm Interpath to try to raise fresh funds for the business.

However, the family decided to move on from the company and in May 2023 the business was sold in a pre-package deal to the Essex-based entrepreneur James Sinclair.

Meanwhile, Kate and Prince William announced their engagement in 2010, with the royal proposing with his mother’s ring in Kenya.

At the time of its creation, the ring was worth £28,000, according to Marie Claire.

Vintage ring expert Sam Mee estimates that these days its value is more like £390,000.

However, given the historical significance it now holds, some believe it is actually priceless.