William and Kate attend 'racy' 50th birthday party for Pippa's husband, report says
The royal couple reportedly joined a sprawling Berkshire celebration for James Matthews, pitting a high-profile guest list against neighbor concerns over noise and timing.
Prince William and Kate Middleton attended a "racy" and wild 50th birthday party for James Matthews, Pippa Middleton's husband, at their Berkshire estate last Saturday, according to the Daily Mail.
The party took place at Matthews and Pippa's 145-acre estate in their reportedly sleepy Berkshire village, the Daily Mail reported. The gathering's theme was described as "racy," a nod to Matthews's career as a professional racing driver. In addition to William and Catherine, guests included retired racer Christian Horner and his wife, former Spice Girls member Geri Halliwell, as well as Matthews's brother, Spencer Matthews, and his wife Vogue Williams. James Matthews is the heir to the Scottish feudal title of Laird of Glen Affric and later co-founded Eden Rock Capital Management, where he serves as chief executive. Pippa, 42, and James have been married since 2017 and share three children.
The celebration, described as starting in the afternoon and running through the predawn hours of the following day, featured at least one elaborate element: a Supermarine Spitfire fighter aircraft display over the couple's estate. Neighbors said the loud engines and boisterous music disrupted quiet that afternoon and into the night, with concerns raised about dogs and late-night noise levels. Several locals told the Daily Mail that while the area is accustomed to high-profile guests and opulence, the levels of noise and what they termed entitlement were out of step with the neighborhood.
It was not the first time the couple's social prominence has drawn attention, but the guest list underscored the event's blend of royal circle connections and celebrity associates. In addition to William and Kate, attendees reportedly included Matthews's close circle, such as Spencer Matthews and Vogue Williams, and high-profile figures from the worlds of sport and entertainment. The party's theme and timing contrasted with more low-key celebrations in nearby communities, fueling local discussion about balance between private celebrations and neighborhood standards.
The event's focus on a milestone birthday for James Matthews—whose business and family ties sit at the intersection of finance, sport, and high society—reflects the prominent public interest in the wider Cambridge-led circle. While the Daily Mail cited dynamic background details about Matthews's career and his marriage to Pippa, the coverage centered on the juxtaposition of a lavish, high-profile gathering and neighbor concerns about etiquette and neighborhood harmony. As the night wore on, residents described the atmosphere as boisterous, with some suggesting that the hosts could have considered alternatives that would have reduced disruption, such as a quieter, more intimate celebration or a silent disco instead of the loud, late-night festivities.
The Daily Mail's report, picked up by other outlets, highlighted the paradox of a family frequently in the public eye hosting a private milestone while navigating expectations from a nearby community unaccustomed to such scale. The family has not publicly commented on the specifics of the party, and representatives for the couple did not provide additional information beyond what was reported in the tabloid coverage. In the broader context, the event adds to a long-running public fascination with the private lives of the royal-related circle and their social engagements, particularly when they intersect with prominent celebrities and high-profile business figures.
