Princess Kate’s Sister Pippa Middleton Given Unwanted New Title as Neighbours Share Fresh Complaints
Princess Kate’s sister Pippa Middleton has been given an unwanted new title by neighbours with claims about her tipping habits adding to the criticism surrounding her and her husband’s relationship with local residents.
Princess Kate’s younger sister has attracted attention in recent months following a dispute over a footpath running through the couple’s £15million country estate. Their reported decision to restrict public access to the route has caused frustration among some people living nearby.
Now, fresh allegations have emerged suggesting that Pippa and her hedge fund boss husband have become a frequent subject of local gossip.
The claims were highlighted by The Times columnist Max Hastings, who described the atmosphere surrounding the couple in the West Berkshire village of Kintbury.
Hastings suggested that maintaining good relationships with neighbours is particularly important in country communities, where residents often value a peaceful relationship with those living nearby.
He wrote that much of the local gossip in the area focused on Pippa and her husband, with some residents allegedly unhappy about their behaviour.
Among the claims mentioned were accusations of stingy tipping and suggestions that the couple sometimes behave as though they are “more-royal-than-the-royals”.
These descriptions reflect reported local gossip rather than established facts about the couple’s conduct. However, the remarks have added another layer to the scrutiny surrounding their life in the countryside.
Hastings also drew an unfavourable comparison between the reports about Pippa and the public image of her older sister, the Princess of Wales.
He praised Kate for demonstrating how to carry out royal duties without appearing pretentious, describing her approach as a daily example of how to handle the role with humility.
The comparison is particularly striking because Pippa has generally maintained a more private public profile than her sister, despite remaining a familiar name because of her connection to the Royal Family.
The controversy also comes amid wider discussion about the way wealthy public figures manage their properties and relationships with surrounding communities.
Pippa and her husband’s reported decision over the footpath has already attracted attention, with concerns centred on access to a route that local people had used.
Meanwhile, Hastings noted that being careful with money is not necessarily unusual among members of the Royal Family. Several royals have previously been described as financially cautious, with efforts to avoid unnecessary spending.
For Pippa, however, the latest claims risk adding to an increasingly uncomfortable picture of her relationship with neighbours. Neither the reported tipping allegations nor the criticism described by Hastings should be treated as a confirmed account of her personal behaviour.
