Princess Kate’s mom Carole Middleton brings her party-goods business to NEW JERSEY

Estimated read time 6 min read


Kate Middleton’s mother has launched her party goods business in New Jersey supermarkets with royal-themed goods and cardboard photos of herself. 

Carole Middleton, 67, is selling her Party Pieces products at ShopRite supermarkets across the Garden State. 

The line was announced Tuesday, with Carole visiting four stores in Aberdeen, Hazlet, Shewsbury and the appropriately-named Middletown to help launch her goods.

DailyMail.com visited the Hazlet and Middletown stores on Wednesday to check out the range, which was easy to spot thanks to the five photos of Carole on display in Hazlet – and eight that had been erected in Middletown. 

Carole, whose 40 year-old daughter became the Princess of Wales upon the death of Queen Elizabeth last month, is flogging a ‘princess and unicorn’-themed garland set and garland stand.

It includes packets of plates and napkins for $4.49 each, bags for $5.99, a cupcake carousel for $24.99, a table cover for $4.99 and a garland for $10.99.  

Also on offer is a pink-floral themed collection. The packaging doesn’t give it an official name – but ShopRite’s PR named the collection ‘A Very English Rose’ in its press release about the launch. 

Carole’s daughter Kate and Kate’s late mother-in-law Princess Diana are among the royal women whose good looks have previously received that very compliment. 

The range includes 8 paper plates ($4.49), 8 paper cups ($4.49), napkins ($4.49) and bunting ($8.99). 

The Princess of Wales' mother Carole Middleton has launched her Party Pieces goods across New Jersey supermarkets. It includes royal-themed lines, including this unicorn and princess garland, which retails for $10.99

The Princess of Wales’ mother Carole Middleton has launched her Party Pieces goods across New Jersey supermarkets. It includes royal-themed lines, including this unicorn and princess garland, which retails for $10.99 

Carole is also selling unicorn and princess-themed cups at $4.49 for a packet of eight, as well as unicorn and star-themed napkins

Carole is also selling unicorn and princess-themed cups at $4.49 for a packet of eight, as well as unicorn and star-themed napkins 

One of the pricier items in Carole's range is this unicorn and princess carousel treat stand, which costs $24.99

One of the pricier items in Carole’s range is this unicorn and princess carousel treat stand, which costs $24.99 

Cardboard inserts featuring photographs of Prince William's mother-in-law with the words 'founded by Carole Middleton' have been included in the Party Pieces displays, with eight of the snaps displayed in Middletown's ShopRite

Cardboard inserts featuring photographs of Prince William’s mother-in-law with the words ‘founded by Carole Middleton’ have been included in the Party Pieces displays, with eight of the snaps displayed in Middletown’s ShopRite 

Carole's Party Pieces range also includes this pretty floral collection. While the packaging doesn't have a name, ShopRite's PR called it the 'Very English Rose' collection - a compliment paid to Carole's daughter Kate, and Kate's late mother-in-law Princess Diana

Carole’s Party Pieces range also includes this pretty floral collection. While the packaging doesn’t have a name, ShopRite’s PR called it the ‘Very English Rose’ collection – a compliment paid to Carole’s daughter Kate, and Kate’s late mother-in-law Princess Diana

The Very English Rose range includes eight paper plates for $4.49, eight paper cups (pictured) for $4.49, napkins for the same price, and bunting for $8.99

The Very English Rose range includes eight paper plates for $4.49, eight paper cups (pictured) for $4.49, napkins for the same price, and bunting for $8.99

The goods are also emblazoned with red, white and blue union flags, with their packaging boasting of being ‘designed with love’ by Middleton. 

Carole visited New Jersey stores for the launch in Aberdeen, Hazlet, Shrewsbury and Middletown – with some stores already appearing to be sold out of some products.

A ‘Rose Arch Treat Stand’, costing $11.99, from the English Rose collection only had one left on the shelves at the Hazlet store.

One staff member told DailyMail.com: ‘There are a lot of Brits around here, in this part of New Jersey, so maybe that’s why they’re being sold in the select stores.’

Carole lives with her husband Michael at their mansion in Bucklebury, Berkshire, and is notoriously-private. The couple are also parents to Pippa, 39, and James, 37.

Carole set up Party Pieces in 1987, 15 years before her daughter caught Prince William’s eye at a student fashion show at St Andrew’s University in Scotland.

It quickly became a success – with Party Pieces’ taking turbocharged after Carole’s daughter Kate hit the spotlight.  

Carole has since-faced accusations of cashing in on her daughter’s royal status with Party Pieces ranges, including a range for last year’s Diamond Jubilee celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s 70th year on the throne.

But supporters say Carole is entitled to offer goods for big, real-world celebrations like any other party goods firm.  

She and Michael are famously-private. 

Carole Middleton, the mother of the Princess of Wales, has launched her party paraphernalia business in the US (pictured looking at the products and posters)

Carole herself helped launch her range with a visit to four New Jersey ShopRite stores earlier this week  

 

Also on sale was a mermaid-themed range, including these party bags featuring mermaids who appeared to be wearing crowns made out of shells, and one toting a regal-looking scepter

Also on sale was a mermaid-themed range, including these party bags featuring mermaids who appeared to be wearing crowns made out of shells, and one toting a regal-looking scepter 

Carole visited four ShopRite stores to launch her range in the US, including this ShopRite store in Hazlet

Carole visited four ShopRite stores to launch her range in the US, including this ShopRite store in Hazlet 

The full range of Party Pieces goods can be seen in this photograph - as well as multiple photographs of Carole herself

The full range of Party Pieces goods can be seen in this photograph – as well as multiple photographs of Carole herself 

Carole's face also appears atop another display of paper plates, cups and other party-themed goods

Carole’s face also appears atop another display of paper plates, cups and other party-themed goods 

The range is billed as being a 'British design' that has been 'designed with love by Carole Middleton.' She set up the business in 1987, but has since been accused of cashing-in on her royal connections

The range is billed as being a ‘British design’ that has been ‘designed with love by Carole Middleton.’ She set up the business in 1987, but has since been accused of cashing-in on her royal connections 

ShopRite in Middletown, New Jersey (pictured Wednesday) is among the locations carrying Carole Middleton's range - and was visited by the Princess of Wales' mother herself

ShopRite in Middletown, New Jersey (pictured Wednesday) is among the locations carrying Carole Middleton’s range – and was visited by the Princess of Wales’ mother herself 

The late-Queen is said to have been deeply-impressed by their discretion, and the way they handled global media attention after their eldest daughter’s romance.

Prince William is also deeply-close to his in-laws, and is said to have adored the laid-back but close-knit atmosphere of their family home while dating Kate.  

Other lines on offer include spangled stars, dinosaur items and an under-the-sea collection which includes a mermaid princess. 

Across the variety if items table runners cost $4.49 while streamers in pink, gold and white will set shoppers back $5.99.

Popular items appeared to be the Star Plate, retailing for $4.49, as well as the matching cup set, with many items in the Dino the Explorer collection remaining on the shelves – including a shark head mask.

Balloons in pink, metallic, stars and blue are also on offer throughout the collection, costing $4.99, with matching bags and streamers.

Candles, trays, bags, garlands and birthday headbands are also available as part of the ‘Shooting Star’ collection.

Many of the items sold in the UK have yet to make it to the US stores, but Middleton teased at a ‘wider expansion’ in an Instagram post.

Party Pieces was founded by Kate Middleton’s mother in 1987 when she was looking for inspiration for her daughter’s fifth birthday party.

The firm is based at Child’s Court Farm in Yattendon, Berkshire. It employs 40 people and sends out 4,000 orders a week.

All three of her children have worked for it at some point – Kate helped develop the first birthday and baby category.

Carole previously said how in the beginning they had to do ‘everything ourselves’ and the children would sometimes help with tasks such as taking orders and filling boxes.

Speaking about the latest venture, she said: ‘It’s very exciting to see our Party Pieces Collection expanding into the US starting with Saker ShopRites, a leading retailer in New Jersey and family-owned business with a long history of commitment to the customers and communities its stores serve.

‘This is the culmination of great teamwork, and we’re happy to partner with Saker ShopRites for our initial launch.’

Richard Saker, president and chief executive of Saker ShopRites, added: ‘We are thrilled to be the first US retail partner for British heritage brand Party Pieces.

‘We know our customers are coming together again to mark special occasions in their lives and they want to make their parties spectacular.’



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