Carole Middleton has suffered a fresh blow following the collapse of her family business.
The firm responsible for handling the insolvency of Carole's business has acknowledged it will be unable to pay the total fees.
The Party Pieces company owned by Carole and Michael Middleton went into administration last year, owing creditors £2.6million, and Interpath Advisory was appointed to manage its collapse.
The firm discovered that £268,928 in time costs incurred by the advisers could not be met by the realisation of Party Pieces's assets.
Carole Middleton's business Party Pieces collapsed last year
Getty
Interpath’s team was unable to recoup the total fees for the work by its restructuring professionals, according to reports in The Times.
Party Pieces's insolvency involved longer hours than expected to meet statutory requirements.
Carole and Michael launched Party Pieces in 1987 as a business organising children’s parties.
They later branched out into selling decorations and gifts.
Carole Middleton's company collapsed resulting in family businesses losing £450,000
GettyLike many small businesses, the company suffered a drop in sales during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This resulted in Princess Kate's parents' business falling into administration.
Party Pieces was sold to James Sinclair, a 38-year-old entrepreneur, for £180,000.
Carole, 69, stepped back from the day-to-day running of Party Pieces in 2019.
Carole and Michael Middleton live a 40-minute drive away from Princess Kate
PAShe became a brand ambassador for the business and a new management team was put in place.
The businesswoman remained the director and returned to help run the company as it sought a rescue deal in spring 2023.
GB News has contacted Carole Middleton for comment.
Carole and Michael live in Bucklebury, a 40-minute drive away from the Prince and Princess of Wales at Adelaide Cottage.
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Carole Middleton is very close with her daughter the Princess of Wales
GettyThe couple are thought to be hands-on grandparents with Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five.
They also have three other grandchildren through their daughter Pippa, named Arthur, Grace and Rose Matthews.
In addition, Carole and Michael's son James has a son named Inigo Middleton with his wife, Alizee Thevenet.