He famously accompanied his daughter, the then-Kate Middleton, to her wedding in a classic Rolls-Royce, before walking her down the aisle to marry the future King in 2011.
But despite being broadcast to millions on TV, Michael Middleton had a remarkably humble moment the very next day.
The grandfather of seven traded the Rolls-Royce for a lawnmower and was seen tending to the garden back at home in Berkshire. It proved that Michael, nicknamed "Mike" by his son-in-law, has always remained very down-to-earth.
Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, Prince William and Kate's former private secretary and Prince George's godfather, praised the "self-effacing" gesture in an interview with the Daily Mail this week.
He said: "My favourite image of the entire wedding was Mike [Middleton] sitting on his lawnmower the next day. That, to me, summed up the whole family set-up.
"Having walked his daughter down the aisle in front of billions, this rather self-effacing man was, the very next day, back in his garden. To me, that image of Mike represents the very essence of being English."
Very supportive parents
Michael, 76, and his wife, Carole Middleton, 71, live at Bucklebury Manor in Berkshire, a short drive from all three of their children, Pippa, James, and Kate.
© Getty ImagesThe couple has provided invaluable support to the Prince and Princess of Wales over the years, especially following her cancer diagnosis in 2024.
Writing in William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, author Russell Myers revealed that the Middletons often stay with the Waleses for weekends in Norfolk.
William, especially, was said to appreciate their support "beyond measure", telling an aide it gave them all "more room to breathe".
© GettyCarole and Michael were also seen playing cards with the family in a video released to signal the end of the Princess's chemotherapy in 2024, while Prince Louis wrote a sweet thank-you message to "granny and grandpa" for "playing games with me" at the Christmas carol service that year.
Celebrating 15 years together
The resurfaced moment comes as Prince William and Kate celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary on Wednesday.
The couple released a gorgeous photograph on the official Kensington Palace social media channels on Wednesday, marking a decade and a half since they tied the knot at Westminster Abbey on 29 April, 2011.
The picture featured the couple and their children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, ten, and Prince Louis, eight, lying on their backs on the grass. The Wales family were all barefoot for the candid photo, taken during their holiday to Cornwall earlier this month by one of their most trusted photographers, Matt Porteous.
"Celebrating 15 years of marriage ❤️," read the caption, alongside a simple red love heart emoji.
