In December 2022, Pippa Middleton, the younger sister of the future queen, was spotted on a long-haul flight with her husband James Matthews and their three children.
The family was headed to St. Barts for a Christmas break, and Pippa’s down-to-earth, hands-on approach to parenting caught the attention of fellow passengers.
Despite having a nanny on board, Pippa was seen chasing her young children up and down the aisles of the British Airways flight from Heathrow to Antigua.
What surprised those around her even more was the class of travel—premium economy, rather than first or business class—which showcased her desire to stay grounded, despite being married to a hedge fund financier.
A Low-Key Approach to Family Travel
Pippa’s choice to travel in World Traveller Plus, a premium economy cabin, was a stark contrast to the lavish lifestyle often associated with her.
Fellow travelers were impressed with her no-nonsense attitude toward parenting as she managed her children—Arthur, 6, Grace, 4, and Rose, 2—without causing a scene or complaining.
One passenger observed that James Matthews, sitting behind them, was casually reading the Daily Telegraph, seemingly oblivious to the commotion around him.
The sight of Pippa diligently attending to her children painted a picture of her down-to-earth nature and dedication as a mother.
Comparing Parenting Styles: Pippa vs. Vogue Williams
While Pippa’s low-key demeanor was on full display, the contrast between her and her sister-in-law, Vogue Williams, was also apparent.
Vogue, 39, has openly discussed her struggles with balancing domestic responsibilities.
On the Netmums podcast, she revealed that she handles 80% of the household chores and childcare duties, often leading to tensions between her and her husband, Spencer Matthews. This revelation shed light on their domestic life, where Vogue shoulders much of the responsibility, including the school run and minor household repairs like fixing broken radiators.
In contrast, Pippa’s seemingly effortless management of her children during the flight raises the question: would she also complain about an imbalance of chores at home? While Vogue’s podcast insights suggest a more vocal approach to her responsibilities, Pippa’s actions—such as handling her children’s needs with no drama on a long flight—suggest she takes a more pragmatic approach to her family life.
The Mysterious Relationship Between Pippa and Vogue
Though both women are married into the same wealthy family, the differences between them go beyond parenting styles.
A source close to Vogue described the two as “totally different people,” noting that the dynamics between Pippa and James Matthews often leave one wondering what conversations take place about Vogue.
While Pippa and James prefer privacy and low-key living, Vogue and Spencer have been known to indulge in the spotlight, with Spencer’s reality TV background and Vogue’s business ventures, including launching a non-alcoholic spirits brand.
This contrast is perhaps most evident in their vacations. Pippa and James tend to visit St. Barts at different times than Vogue and Spencer, with the two families rarely overlapping.
When Pippa and Vogue were photographed running together in 2019, their smiles seemed strained, suggesting that their relationship might be more about family obligations than true camaraderie.
The Differences in Luxury Lifestyles
Despite their contrasting personalities and public lives, both Pippa and Vogue enjoy the finer things in life.
Pippa and James reside in a luxurious £17 million, five-storey house in London, complete with an underground cinema and six bedrooms. Additionally, they own a £15 million Georgian mansion in Berkshire, set in 150 acres of land.
In comparison, Vogue and Spencer live in a more modern apartment in Battersea, currently for sale as they seek a “forever home.”
The two couples’ homes and lifestyles reflect their personalities—Pippa and James’ understated luxury versus Vogue and Spencer’s more contemporary, flashy tastes.
A Tale of Two Brothers and Their Very Different Wives
The contrast between Pippa and Vogue can also be traced back to their husbands.
James Matthews and Spencer Matthews, both educated at prestigious schools, have taken vastly different career paths.
James is a hedge fund manager who runs Eden Rock Capital, while Spencer initially gained fame in reality TV and recently launched CleanCo, a non-alcoholic spirits brand.
The differences in their personalities are stark—James is reserved and understated, while Spencer is brash and more inclined to seek the spotlight. This may explain why their wives, too, seem to live in different worlds.
Conclusion: Two Women, Two Worlds
At the end of the day, Pippa and Vogue’s contrasting lifestyles, parenting approaches, and personalities reflect the uniqueness of their lives.
While Pippa values privacy and the simplicity of her family life, Vogue embraces the public eye, balancing her business ventures with raising three children.
Despite being sisters-in-law, their differences appear to extend beyond their husbands’ careers, leading one to wonder just how much common ground they truly share.
Yet, despite these differences, both women enjoy their share of luxury, whether it’s the exclusive rooms at Eden Rock in St. Barts or the high-end properties they call home.
It seems that while they may have little in common, their family bonds will always tie them together.
