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Prince William’s university friends jokingly name Kate Middleton’s family the On Masse Middletons after seeing their tight bond in the UK

Prince William
Prince William

While the royals are known for their formal titles and centuries-old traditions, behind the palace walls, things can get a lot more personal — and sometimes, even a little cheeky.

Turns out, Prince William’s circle of friends had a funny nickname for the Middleton clan back when he and Kate were still dating, and it’s not what you might expect.

The Middletons and Their Royal Circle Nickname

According to royal author Katie Nicholl, while writing her bestselling book The Making of a Royal Romance, she discovered that Prince William’s pals referred to Kate’s family as the “OM Middletons.”

The nickname stood for “On Masse Middletons” — a playful jab at how the Middletons seemed to always be together, moving as a close-knit pack.

Whether it was a family holiday or a high-profile outing, the Middletons did everything as a unit.

Most recently, they were all seen supporting Kate at Wimbledon, once again showing how tight they are as a family.

The Family That Fled Together: Escaping the Paparazzi

Nicholl pointed to one particular moment that cemented the nickname.

Back in July 2009, a tabloid scandal involving Kate’s uncle, Gary Goldsmith, sparked a media storm.

Goldsmith was secretly recorded by undercover reporters in Ibiza, appearing to snort cocaine and brag about Kate and William’s visits to his villa — charmingly called “La Maison de Bang Bang.”

The fallout was immediate. Cameras and reporters swarmed the Middleton home, leaving the family desperate for privacy.

Their solution? Fleeing to the Caribbean island of Mustique together to escape the press frenzy — once again proving just how united they were when it mattered most.

Family Support Shines Through During Kate’s Cancer Battle

The “On Masse” bond wasn’t just about vacations and social appearances.

That tight family structure became a lifeline when Kate went public with her cancer diagnosis in March 2024.

Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael, along with her siblings James and Pippa, quietly rallied around her at her home in Windsor.

They all live nearby, and their presence made a huge difference during her recovery.

In a candid interview, Kate’s younger brother James opened up about how difficult that time was.

“For her and her family, it was a challenging time,” he told The Times, adding that it was equally tough for the extended family.

James, now running his own dog food brand, shared how the experience taught him what it really means to love someone — by showing up, unconditionally, without expecting anything in return.

Kate’s Recovery Video Highlighted the Middleton Family’s Role

After completing her preventative chemotherapy last September, Kate released a touching video that showed glimpses of her family life.

The footage featured intimate scenes — including her parents playing cards with her, William, and their three children — subtly underscoring how vital the Middletons had been during her healing process.

In the voiceover, Kate reflected on the journey, saying the experience reminded her and William to appreciate “the simple yet important things in life… of simply loving and being loved.”

Carole and Michael Middleton: The Grandparents Who Step In Without Hesitation

Those close to the Princess of Wales often praise Carole and Michael Middleton for their down-to-earth approach to parenting and grandparenting.

Friends describe them as “brilliant” at stepping in whenever needed — whether that’s hosting sleepovers for the grandkids or dropping everything to lend a hand.

They’ve been there from the very beginning. When Prince George was born, William and Kate headed straight to the Middletons’ home in Bucklebury just a day after leaving the hospital.

It was proud granddad Michael who helped photograph the newborn future king in their garden for his first official pictures.