Pippa Middleton

Philippa Charlotte Matthews
Born	Philippa Charlotte Middleton (1983-09-06) September 6, 1983 Reading, Berkshire, England
Occupation(s)	Author, columnist, socialite
Known for	Younger sibling of Catherine, Princess of Wales; author of Celebrate and Heartfelt; Vanity Fair and The Sunday Telegraph contributor
Notable work	Celebrate: A Year of Festivities for Families and Friends; Heartfelt: Over 100 Quick and Easy Recipes for a Healthy Heart

Philippa Charlotte Matthews (born Middleton; 6 September 1983) is a British author, columnist, and socialite, known as the younger sibling of Catherine, Princess of Wales.

Originating from Reading, Berkshire and raised in Bucklebury, Middleton attended Marlborough College before obtaining a degree in English literature from the University of Edinburgh. She initially pursued careers in public relations and event management prior to joining her family’s party supply enterprise. Middleton attracted media attention during her sister's relationship with Prince William, particularly at their 2011 nuptials. She has published two books: Celebrate: A Year of Festivities for Families and Friends and Heartfelt: Over 100 Quick and Easy Recipes for a Healthy Heart, as well as contributed columns to Vanity Fair and The Sunday Telegraph.

In 2017, she wed James Matthews, a hedge fund manager, ex-racing driver, and heir to the lairdship of Glen Affric. The couple has three children. Through marriage, she holds the courtesy title Mrs. Glen Affric the Younger in Scotland.

Early life and education

Philippa Charlotte Middleton was born on 6 September 1983 at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, Berkshire, England. She is the middle child among three siblings born to Michael (b. 1949), a former flight dispatcher for British Airways, and Carole Middleton (née Goldsmith; b. 1955), who previously worked as a flight attendant. Her father comes from an affluent Yorkshire lineage with aristocratic ties, while her mother’s ancestry includes labourers and coal miners from County Durham. The family resided in Bradfield Southend, where she was baptized at St Andrew's Church. Philippa’s elder sister is Catherine, Princess of Wales, and her younger brother is James.

Due to her father's employment with British Airways, the family relocated to Amman, Jordan in 1984 but returned to Berkshire by 1986. In 1987, her mother established Party Pieces, a mail-order business specializing in party supplies. The family moved into Bucklebury Manor in 1995. Philippa received her education at private institutions such as St Andrew's School in Pangbourne, Downe House School in Cold Ash, and Marlborough College, where she earned a sports/all-rounder scholarship. She completed an undergraduate MA in English literature at the University of Edinburgh, during which time she shared accommodation with members of British nobility.

In 2022, Middleton completed a postgraduate master's degree in Physical Education, Sport and Physical Literacy from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.

Career

Following graduation, Middleton briefly joined a public relations agency in 2008 focusing on luxury goods promotion, then transitioned to an events management position at London-based Table Talk, which specialized in corporate functions and celebrations. In 2008, Tatler magazine designated her as "the Number 1 Society Singleton," underscoring her high social profile. Since then, she has frequently been labeled a socialite and extensively covered by media outlets alongside her sister due to their lifestyle. In April 2012, Time magazine included her among the 100 Most Influential People in the World.

Middleton worked part-time for her family’s company Party Pieces by editing its web-based magazine Party Times. Penguin Books offered her a £400,000 advance for a party planning guide titled Celebrate, released in autumn 2012; however, sales fell short of expectations amid mixed critical reception. She ended her relationship with her literary agent in March 2013.

She regularly contributed to various publications, writing for The Spectator beginning December 2012 and launching a food column for Waitrose Kitchen magazine in spring 2013. In June 2013, Middleton was appointed contributing editor at Vanity Fair, producing a series of articles. Starting September 2013, she authored a biweekly sports and social column for The Sunday Telegraph, which concluded in May 2014.

In May 2013, Middleton became sole director and shareholder of PXM Enterprises Limited based at 19 Portland Place, London; this company was dissolved by mid-2017.

Philanthropy

In April 2013, Middleton was named an ambassador for the Mary Hare School, which supports deaf children in Berkshire. By June 2014, she had taken on the role of ambassador for the British Heart Foundation (BHF). That same month, she engaged in two fundraising challenges: the Race Across America, a 3,000-mile cycling event spanning the United States, and the Bosphorus Cross Continental Swim, a 6.5-kilometer swim in Istanbul. To aid the BHF’s fundraising efforts, her bicycle was sold through an eBay auction. Additionally, she participated in the BHF's Roll out the Red Ball event held at the Park Lane Hotel in February 2015, where she auctioned a dress designed by L.K.Bennett.

In June 2015, Middleton partnered with British designer Tabitha Webb to create a floral pink dress and a light scarf, with all proceeds directed to the BHF. That same month, she also took part in the London to Brighton Bike Ride supporting the charity. Later, in September 2015, she joined a 47-mile swim-run race in Sweden alongside her brother and fiancé James Matthews to raise money for the Michael Matthews Foundation, which honors Matthews' late brother. In September 2016, Middleton published her second book titled Heartfelt, with earnings benefiting the British Heart Foundation.

Personal life

Middleton served as maid of honour at her sister Catherine’s wedding to Prince William in 2011. The gown she wore was crafted by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen and attracted widespread media coverage. Constructed from ivory crêpe fabric featuring a cowl neckline and organza-covered buttons, it generated considerable demand and inspired numerous High Street replicas, illustrating what became known as the "Pippa Middleton effect" on retail sales.

The Middleton family lodged complaints with the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) in 2011 over intrusive behavior from photographers and unauthorized publication of private holiday images, including topless photos of Pippa. After discussions, several newspapers consented to remove these pictures from their websites and halt further publication. In 2016, Middleton's iPhone was compromised by a hacker who demanded £50,000; authorities apprehended the suspect shortly afterward.

Middleton became engaged to James Matthews—a hedge fund manager and former professional racing driver—in July 2016. Their wedding took place on 20 May 2017 at Englefield Estate near the Middleton family residence. Matthews' family owns the expansive Glen Affric estate in Scotland covering 10,000 acres; once he inherits it, Middleton will hold the title Lady Glen Affric and currently uses the courtesy style "Mrs Matthews of Glen Affric Younger."

The couple has three children: Arthur Michael William (born October 2018), Grace Elizabeth Jane (born March 2021), and Rose Louise Victoria (born June 2022). They live on Barton Court estate situated along the River Kennet near Kintbury in West Berkshire.