The Princess of Wales’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, may now reside in a lavish mansion in Berkshire, but they have made several moves over the years – including one overseas. The Middletons lived in Amman, Jordan, for two years between 1984 and 1986 where dad Michael worked as a manager for British Airways but mum Carole decided to move back home in order for her children so can have an English upbringing.
Kate was only two years old and Pippa eight months old when they moved abroad. The future Queen thrived during her short stay in Jordan, according to an insider who shared glimpses of her time in Amman.
Hanna Hashweh, chief executive of the Hashweh Corporation travel agency in Amman, told UAE’s National News in 2011: “They [the Middletons] lived in a two-storey rented villa, close to a park and the nursery where Kate went. I remember she was a very beautiful little girl.
“Kate’s father used to pick her up sometimes in his work uniform and the kids used to get very excited and run to see him. But most of the time the mother picked her up. She was always on time.”
Speaking about her move back to the UK in 1986, Carole told the Telegraph in 2018: “I wasn’t convinced I wanted to be an expat mum and Mike’s job there was coming to an end.”
The following year, in 1987, Carole gave birth to the youngest Middleton, James, and founded her now-sold business Party Pieces, which she managed with her husband.
The Middletons lived at West View in Bradfield, Southend, when they returned to England, which they had bought in 1980 for a reported £34,700.
The then two-bedroom semi-detached with its large windows and spacious garden sat just outside the town of Reading.
Carole and Michael sold the house in 1995 for £158,000 – now valued at £815,000 – and the family moved into Oak Acre, in Berkshire.
The property featured an English-style red brick exterior, Georgian-style windows, and sat in one-and-a-half acres of grounds.
In 2012, Princess Kate’s parents bought Bucklebury Manor in Bershire for £4.7million, in order to seek more privacy after their daughter was welcomed into the Royal Family.
The lavish seven-bedroom, Grade II listed house now serves as the family home and is where Princess Kate’s children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis can go and relax away from the public gaze.