The Duchess of Cambridge family firm where she used to work part time has shed half of its staff amid fears for the future, according to reports.
Party Pieces is owned by Kate’s mum Carole Middleton and is said to be a one stop shop for party supplies selling costumes, cakes and decorations.
She launched her business Party Pieces in 1987, the same year her son James was born. The website now sells around 7,000 products.
But three workers were laid off yesterday according to The Sun, with an insider saying: “There
is a terrible air of doom and gloom about the place.”
(Image: PA)
A web designer, PR agent and Search Engine Optimization expert have allegedly been chopped, after three warehouse staff were axed before Christmas.
On the firm’s website Mrs Middleton says all her three children were involved in the creation of the business.
It says: “It’s always been a family business and all the children have played a part. James established our personalised photo cakes, Catherine started the 1st birthday side of the business, and Pippa developed the Party Pieces blog.”
Mrs Middleton had said last year the business was born out of a ‘strong feeling’ she had not achieved anything after getting married at 25.
She said: “I don’t see myself stopping [work]. If I did I’d have to have so many projects on. I’d have to redecorate the house. I’d love to travel, but then I’d miss the grandchildren.
She even likened herself to a “hurricane” in the hectic Party Pieces office
“I’ve got a billion ideas I still want to do.”
(Image: WireImage)
A Party Pieces spokesperson said it was “working on an exciting development partnership”.
It added: “The company’s structure is being reviewed to align with its financial targets, in consultation with staff.”
Carole and her husband Michael, who live in £4.7m home in West Berkshire, have been discreet during the 13 years since her daughter Kate Middleton began dating Prince William.
But Carole revealed that her “life is really normal – most of the time” in her first interview for 13 years.
(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
The Duchess of Cambridge’s mother also revealed she stopped reading stories about a year ago and it “doesn’t make a difference” what people say about her.
Breaking her silence in an interview with The Telegraph the 63-year-old said that at first she thought it was better to know what people thought but now she has changed her mind.
She insists that for more than 12 months, she has completely ignored the endless speculation about her circulating online and said she is not sure how she is perceived by the public.