Kate Middleton spent less than 24 hours in Kensington Palace, staying only long enough for her son Prince George to receive visits from his royal relatives. Instead, she headed for Bucklebury, Berkshire to stay with her mother Carole Middleton.When the Middletons bought their £4.85 million house, which is located at the end of a country lane in the picturesque village, it was with a view to just this eventuality.
Similar dresses, similar attitude from Kate and Carole
Unlike their old house, where Kate's father Michael was photographed mowing the lawn shortly after the royal wedding, the property is secluded enough to accommodate the most famous couple on the planet, without the fear of prying eyes.
With 18 acres, there is plenty of space for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's security detail.
Inside the seven-bedroom home Carole will be doing what any grandmother in the land has done, giving the first-time mum tips on how to handle her new role.
Carole facing the press as her daughter was to do just over 24 hours after giving birth
In a break with royal tradition the Cambridges have chosen not to hire a nanny which means it is capable Carole who will step in to give the frazzled mother a rest.Plus, the new dad won't be around long enough to help with night-time feeds and nappies – something Kate reveals he has already got stuck into – because of his search and rescue job in Anglesey.When his two weeks paternity leave is up William will be back on call in Wales.
Kate has inherited the Middleton mettle from her mum
Mother and daughter have always had a good relationship, without any of those flare ups that are typical in the teenage years, say those who know the Middletons.
Their closeness only increased the day Kate came home and announced she was dating a Prince. "You can get quite consumed by a relationship when you are younger," said the Duchess in her engagement interview.
When the relationship threatened to overwhelm her it was to Carole she turned for support since she was unable to confide in her friends like most girls.
Everyone outside the hospital said the noise of the cheers and flashing cameras was intense. Yet both handled it with the same calm and composure.
Watching them leaving the Lindo Wing a few hours apart both in patterned dresses – Kate in Jenny Packham, Carole in Orla Kiely, one of her daughters' favourite designers – their attitude couldn't have been more similar.
Mother and daughter have always been extremely close
Her husband knows how much she values her family and he is fond of them too. "William appreciates his in-laws' home and lifestyle," says royal author Penny Junor. "It's so different from the way he was brought up and loves the fact that there aren't loads of footmen and butlers everywhere. It's a normal house, where everyone sits down to lunch together. And it's a happy home. "The kind of home, in fact, that's perfect for a new baby to grow and thrive.