Carole Middleton is not so much famous as infamous in Britain as the social-climbing, pushy Mother of the Bride. Dubbed ‘doors to manual’ by some of the British social elite, she has been privately and publicly mocked for her humble beginnings and wanting the best for her children.

Excuse me, have I missed the point here?

The Middletons have done exactly what Mrs. Thatcher advocated back in 1979 – they got on by working hard, building a business and not relying on handouts from anyone. They have invested in themselves and their talents. Having done that, they did what any other parent might do, gave their children the best start in life they could by investing in their education.

The world may be under the impression that Catherine, Princess William of Wales and Duchess of Cambridge, is a commoner but let’s not be under any illusions here. All commoner means is not royal or titled. She has had a wonderful upbringing and a privileged, expensive education at one of Britain’s finest schools, paid for by the hard work and aspirations of her parents.

Why is that so awful? Most people in Britain, the world even, are doing exactly that – whether it be getting their children into the best local school, sports team or whatever.

The cynical insinuation has been that Mrs Middleton and her daughter set their sights on Prince William as a future husband and son-in-law long ago and Kate’s attending St. Andrews University was part of the plan to snare her Prince.

We are not in the school playground. That opinion allows for William being nothing more than a pawn in Catherine’s game and he’s smarter than that. So are the Middletons – they wouldn’t be where they are today without being astute and grounded. As loving parents they will have thought long and hard about their daughter being involved with ‘The Firm’, as the Royal family is affectionately known.

Marrying the future King of England maybe the crowning ambition of many a female aristocrat, but the world has seen what a suffocating and soul-destroying place it can be if you’ve not been born into it. Diana, Princess of Wales, was an aristocrat and look what it did to her.

The Middletons have endured the cruel jibes, said nothing, got on with things and done their best. Carole Middleton has been reported as being ‘difficult’ over the past weeks, upsets with designers that kind of thing. Seriously? Is that all they can come up with? She is a tough lady, they’re not dealing with a timid woman overwhelmed or out of her depth, she is a force to be reckoned with. And what mother of the Bride isn’t stressed before before her daughter’s wedding?

Yesterday Carole Middleton got her revenge on those critics, snipers and social snobs with style, class and dignity without saying a word.

As she walked into Westminster Abbey in a stunning outfit by Diana’s favorite designer, Catherine Walker, she blew every negative, mean, and cruel comment out of the water. She may have been as nervous as hell, but she outclassed every senior royal female except the Queen. Next to her Camilla looked like a matronly frump despite the designer clothes – hard to believe there is only a seven year age difference between them.

Princess Anne – what can you say? She tries hard but never seems to get it right. The Princess’ Beatrice and Eugenie? Sitting behind the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh they looked as if had arrived directly from a provincial pantomime. Cinderella I’m guessing. What were they thinking and who let them out of the house dressed like that?

The aristocracy in Britain is obsessed with breeding – coming from the right family, having the right connections. They forget breeding isn’t class.

Yesterday the Middleton’s showed the world they are as good as anyone. Mr Middleton the consummate father, Pippa and James the supportive siblings, good-looking, elegant and self-assured.

And who can doubt that Kate is the perfect match for William as she sailed through yesterday as if she’d born and raised an aristocrat, with dignity, style and grace.

Carole Middleton, congratulations on a job well done.