What to Know
Usually, the royals who are in the news in the United States are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who have no shortage of haters. But now, after Kate Middleton‘s mom, Carole Middleton, was seen out at Royal Ascot in June 2026, people are talking about that side of the British Royal Family. Mainly, though, people are wondering if Carole was drunk or just having an exceptionally good time.
In a Reddit post, where a user shared a video of Carole on a balcony at Ascot, the same user questioned if Carole was indeed drunk at the event. It wouldn’t be the first time that she was accused of drinking a little more than some others, but it’s also a pretty bold claim considering her behavior could be attributed to almost anything.
People think Carole Middleton has the tendency to be unaware of boundaries.
Carole Middleton appears to be intoxicated at Ascot Royal box, people around her seem to have realised it, it looks like Kate had to approach her and scolded her and take her inside.
— Nina (@ShakeLS) June 18, 2026
As i said it's quite telling her husband isn't around anymore at these public appearances.…
Before Kate joined the royal family and married William, her family had no ties to royalty of this magnitude. And, according to some critics, her behavior could be due to nerves at such a public event. There was even speculation that drinking at events like these could be what helps Carole and William bond.
But the video in question on Reddit shows Carole looking incredibly animated as she speaks with other people on the balcony. And when Kate arrives to seemingly take her aside, it only adds to the rumors of Carole having a little too much to drink.
“Hey she worked hard to put her daughter in the right circles so she could have these moments,” a Redditor joked on the post.
Someone replied to that user with, “Kris Jenner works hard but Carole Middleton works harder.”
Others speculated that Carole looks almost “too happy” to be simply drunk.
“She looks like she’s on some kind of upper,” a user commented. “Not necessarily drunk.”
However, to be fair, someone else wrote, “I mean, I’ve been to Ascot during Ladies Day, you’ll be hard pressed to find a single sober person. It’s a proper knees up!”
Some “feel sorry” for Kate when it comes to her mom.
Princess Kate stayed subdued at Ascot, while Carole Middleton looked drunk https://t.co/S4DkjOcggy pic.twitter.com/pbvqrKPPmP
— Kaiser@Celebitchy (@KaiseratCB) June 18, 2026
Under a post on X (formerly Twitter) about Carole at Ascot, users discussed the possibility that Carole often drinks publicly. They even agreed that some of her behavior, allegedly fueled by alcohol, must be embarrassing for Kate in particular.
“Whenever Carole is out and about, I feel sorry for Kate,” a user wrote.
Another person commented, “In other words Kate looked as though she was sucking lemons and old Carole was sloshed.”
Under another X post, “Carole Middleton appears to be intoxicated at Ascot Royal box, people around her seem to have realized it, it looks like Kate had to approach her and scolded her and take her inside. As I said it’s quite telling her husband isn’t around anymore at these public appearances.”
Kate Middleton’s health is concerning for some.
Despite what some critics think about Carole potentially being drunk at Ascot, people also couldn’t help but notice Kate’s thin appearance and observations that she looks tired. Which could have, according to some, contributed to Carole’s need to drink more than usual and be more outgoing than one might expect, given her daughter’s health.
In May 2026, TODAY reported that Kate was, at that time, in remission after her cancer diagnosis. She went public with her diagnosis two years previously. Now, per the royal family, Kate is working on getting her health back on track while in remission. But the concerns for her remain, even with Carole seemingly throwing caution to the wind with cameras around.
READ NEXT: Prince George Set to Attend Prince William’s Former Boarding School to the Tune of $85k Per Year
