In a recent interview, Carole, 66, explained that her family motivated her to work hard and become a successful businesswoman. "I'm not someone to sit on the sofa for a long time," she told Good Housekeeping.
"I have a lot of energy and enjoy my work.
"I grew up watching my parents, who both worked extremely hard."
The Duchess of Cambridge's mother has a company but, before she ventured into the business world, worked as an air-stewardess.
Her company, Party Pieces, is hugely successful. The firm offers "attractive, best value party decorations, games and tableware", according to its website.
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Carole was educated in state schools and went on to work as a secretary.
She later worked as an air hostess for British Airways until she married Kate's father, Michael Middleton.
She founded Party Pieces in 1987.
Carole has previously said that she enjoys spending time with her three grandchildren.
Kate's mother has been credited with helping her daughter with George, Charlotte and Louis, especially when they were younger.
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Since the Duke and Duchess decided to go without a nanny in the beginning, Carole took on grandmother duties and helped raising the Royal children.
“Kate was having a conversation with the Queen in which she confided that she had found being with George on her own, and not having a full-time nanny or a maternity nurse, very hard," Katie Nicholl said in True Royalty’s documentary, Kate Middleton: Heir We Go Again.
“William and Kate wanted to be hands-on parents, and they did it until September and then they recruited a nanny.
"One of the things that allows William and Kate to be so ordinary is the presence of the Middletons in their lives.
"Carole turns up to help with bedtime and bath time. She is absolutely indispensable.”