Inside William’s close relationship with ‘second mum’ Carole Middleton as couple ‘enjoy pub crawl together’: Prince of Wales ‘confides’ with mother-in-law and ‘even helps with housework’ at her Berkshire mansion

She has been his mother-in-law for 13 years – and over the decades, Carole Middleton has become not just family, but a close friend the Prince of Wales can ‘confide’ in.

Recently, the couple were reportedly spotted on a ‘low key’ pub outing in Norfolk as the Princess of Wales was believed to have stayed at home.

It is understood that Kate’s mother stayed with her and William, 41, in Norfolk over Easter – while her daughter is being treated for cancer.

It’s no wonder William and ‘second mum’ Carole, 69, have formed a bond over the years. A former expert has also noted how she has taught her son-in-law ‘how a loving and supportive family works’.

She has given the prince a “real sense of normalcy in the midst of all the chaos” since he married Kate in 2011, royal biographer Angela Levin said The sun in 2021.

“(Carole) made him feel safe, comfortable and protected and he didn’t have to worry about what he said or be responsible for her feelings,” she claimed.

Carole has also been present as a supportive and very involved grandmother to William and Kate’s children.

Talking to PEOPLEA palace insider also said that Carole and her husband, who only need to take a short drive from Bucklebury, Berkshire to Windsor, are already ‘an ongoing factor in the upbringing of their grandchildren’.

In an interview Good housekeepingCarole – who has seven grandchildren in total – has noted that she wants to ‘run down the hills, climb the trees and go through the tunnel in the playground’.

“As long as I’m able to, that’s what I’m going to do,” she revealed. ‘I cook with them, I tumble around and dance, we go on bike rides.’

And the Prince has also found someone he can trust and talk to in his mother-in-law.

Talking to Okay in 2022, royal expert Rachael Andrews said that with Carole and Michael, William has two confidantes ‘removed from the monarchy’.

According to the outlet, William has even been known to help out at their Berkshire home by washing the car with his father-in-law. He and Kate, 42, are also said to have lived there when George was first born.

The prince is also close to his wife’s parents because of their united commitment to Kate’s happiness and safety.

As reported by Mirrorwriter Jennie Bond told OK earlier this year that the ‘attack’ of Omid Scobie’s Endgame left William feeling ‘guilty and angry because he promised Kate’s parents he would protect and look after her’.

“The attacks by Omid Scobie were vicious, so William will feel guilty because all she has done is fall in love with someone who happened to be a future king,” she said.

‘There’s obviously a lot of baggage that comes with this – it’s a unique and different life that you have to have a very thick skin for.’

William also found a mother figure in Carole, with him and Kate relying on her support after his brother Prince Harry and Meghan Markle left Britain, a source said The sun in 2020.

They said: ‘William’s in-laws have become like second parents and Carole is almost a Diana-Type mother.’

The insider added that William and Kate visited Berkshire ‘quite a few’ times after the Sussex departure.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are also sure to rely on their in-laws as Kate – who recently opened up about being diagnosed with cancer – undergoes treatment.

She is likely to have been loved by her caring parents after leaving hospital following an operation in January.

A few weeks later, Kate’s mother was snapped behind the wheel of a car driving her daughter – who was pictured for the first time in two months since January – around Windsor Castle.

And the happy parent is by her daughter’s side as she focuses on her health.

Talking to The independent last month a source close to the Middletons said: ‘Carole has been the driving force that has kept the family together with a minimum of fuss and maximum modesty.

‘She has ferried and picked up George, Louis and Charlotte, taken them to school sports matches and given them endless support. She has been a real Mary Poppins-like figure.

‘She has come to the rescue, provided reassurance and has been a rock for Catherine and William as they come to terms with the news.’

It comes as William has reportedly been spotted on a ‘low key’ pub outing in Norfolk with his mother-in-law as his wife apparently stayed at home.

“A patron tells me, “It was all very low-key, without any great fanfare. He just walked in and through the pub. He appeared to be with Carole Middleton,” wrote The TheWSTNews’s Richard Eden in today’s paper.

‘There was no sign of Catherine, who is being treated for an unknown form of cancer.’

Carole has reportedly been supporting her daughter through her recovery at her home in Windsor, where the princess is stepping back from royal duties until cleared to return by her medical team.

The prince broke his silence on social media following the tragic news of his wife’s cancer diagnosis only on Wednesday, and paid tribute to English lioness Rachel Daly after she announced her retirement.

daIn a statement shared on the Instagram account run by the Prince and Princess of Wales, he said: ‘Thank you for so many unforgettable performances with the Lioneses, Rachel Daly’.

“A lot more goals for Villa now,” he joked, while Rachel now focused solely on her role as Aston Villa’s number 9.

The family have kept a low profile in recent weeks as the Princess of Wales takes time to recover amid rounds of ‘preventive’ chemotherapy to stop the disease.

Prince William, who has not been seen in public since his wife’s announcement, is not expected to resume public duties until his children return to school after the holidays.

In an emotional video message at the end of March announcing the news, the princess said it had been an ‘incredibly hard few months’ for her family but she was ‘doing well and getting stronger every day’.

She added: “My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I have to focus on making a full recovery.”