Kate Middleton’s family business might be in trouble.
According to Stephen Moyes and Carri-Ann Taylor, journalists from the Sun, the Duchess of Cambridge’s mom fired half of the staff of Party Pieces earlier this week. A fourth worker was also told that his job was on the line.
Among those who lost their jobs were the company’s web designer, PR agent and search engine optimization wizard. An unnamed source told the outlet that “there is a terrible air doom and gloom about the place.”
Insiders claimed that in recent months instead of stocking the warehouse and posting out goods on demand, the products are only ordered in as required. Also, prior to the recent firing, three warehouse workers were axed just days before Christmas. However, they were reportedly replaced just weeks later.
Another source said that the moral of the company is at rock bottom. In December there was no Christmas tree or festive decorations in the office despite being a party company.
Middleton’s parents founded their family business in 1987. According to Carole, Party Pieces has always been a family business and her children Middleton, Pippa and James played a part in it.
“James established our personalised photo cakes, Catherine started the 1st birthday side of the business, and Pippa developed the Party Pieces blog,” Carole said.
“Because they all grew up with me working, Party Pieces has been very much part of our lives and what we talked about. I still ask their advice and say ‘What do you think of this?’” she added.
Middleton’s Party Pieces business was involved in several controversies. In August 2018, Carole and Michael were accused of cashing in on Meghan Markle’s birthday by promoting its colorful banner with personalized message that read “Happy 18th Birthday Meghan” in the run-in to the Duchess of Sussex’s birthday.
In October of the same year, the company was criticized again for selling a Princess Diana zombie costume for Halloween. The white princess gown was blood-drenched with a gruesome print of the zombie princess’ ribcage and organs.
Princess Diana’s friend Simon Simmons said that it was “sicker than sick” and hoped that the people would boycott Middletons’ site. Meanwhile, royal expert Ingrid Seward found the item in a “very poor taste.”