Family of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge

Family of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge

Coat of arms granted to Michael Francis Middleton (the father of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge) on 19 April 2011, as the armigerous head of the family
Ethnicity	English
Current region	Bucklebury, West Berkshire, England
Earlier spellings	Middeltone, Mideltuna, Middeltune
Place of origin	United Kingdom
Members	Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge Michael Francis Middleton Carole Elizabeth Middleton Philippa Charlotte Middleton James William Middleton Captain Peter Middleton
Connected families	Lupton, Goldsmith, British Royal Family

Members of the Middleton family have been related to the British Royal Family since the marriage of "Kate" Middleton to Prince William in April 2011 when she became Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

By the early 19th century, the Middleton family was established in the West Riding of Yorkshire as cultural and civic figures, particularly in the legal profession. The law firm, Messrs Middleton and Sons, was founded in Leeds by gentleman farmer and solicitor William Middleton Esq. of Gledhow Grange Estate. The family firm existed for over 150 years, closing in 1985.

William Middleton's descendants include Richard Noel Middleton, a solicitor who was one of the founders of the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra, Michael Francis Middleton and his three children; Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, socialite and columnist Pippa Middleton, and businessman James William Middleton.

Other descendants of William Middleton are Captain Peter Middleton, who was Prince Philip's co-pilot, and solicitor Henry Dubs Middleton, chairman of the Leeds General Infirmary. The Middleton family were described as "friends of British royalty" to whom, in their civic capacity, they "played host as long ago as 1926".

Many of Michael Middleton's relatives were solicitors in the Leeds-based family firm, Middleton and Sons. His grandfather Richard Noel Middleton, great-grandfather John W. Middleton (d.1887) and great-great-grandfather William Middleton, Esq., were solicitors. Richard Noel was one of the founders of the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra and a director of William Lupton and Sons, the wool manufacturing firm his wife Olive, had inherited in 1921. His niece, Lucy Middleton, is a solicitor.