London: Kate Middleton is "appalled" by the vicious attacks against her mother in the wake of her split from Prince William.
Close sources say she blames snobbish courtiers and some of William's "grand" circle of friends for the unfair whispering campaign against Carole Middleton.
She believes royal aides have been briefing against her and her family.
A well-placed source said: "Kate will stay silent as agreed and she will. But it is fair to say she is appalled and upset at some of the awful things being levelled at her family and particularly her mother."
Close family
"She is not a broken woman, far from it, and nor for that matter is her mother. The Middletons are a close family. The comments about Carole, attributed to people close to the royal family say more about them than Kate and her family," the source said.
Kate was apparently particularly upset by "crass" remarks about her mother's chewing gum at William's passing out ceremony at Sandhurst.
And she was also, according to those in her circle, irritated by ridiculous assertions that Carole let herself down by saying "Pleased to meet you" instead of "How do you do" when being introduced to the royals.
Kate, who received a telephone call from William showing support over the weekend, has read a number of newspaper reports about the break-up.
Some sources insist that Carole Middleton, a middle-class businesswoman and former air stewardess, is "distraught" over William and Kate's decision to split. But others say that both her parents are simply concerned for their daughter.
Michael Middleton, Kate's father, is said to be particularly concerned about press attention.
In touch
Army officer Prince William, back on his troop commander's course with the Blues and Royals at Bovington, Dorset, is known to be grateful for Kate's discretion. He wants to remain friends and it is understood he has been in touch by phone over the weekend.
Although Kate insists she is fine, she has been given indefinite compassionate leave from her job as an assistant accessories buyer in the junior division of high street fashion store, Jigsaw - a job she got through its owners, family friends John and Belle Robinson.
