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It was meant to be the ultimate birthday gift: a glittering, no-expense-spared celebration for hedge fund tycoon James Matthews’ milestone 50th. Yet Pippa Middleton’s decision to stage the extravagant affair at their sprawling 145-acre Berkshire estate has sparked uproar among neighbours, who accuse the Princess of Wales’s younger sister of acting with “entitlement” and “complete disregard” for the quiet countryside community.
A Party to Remember – for All the Wrong Reasons
The trouble began on Saturday afternoon when locals looked skyward to find a Second World War Spitfire roaring through the skies in a specially arranged aerial display. What might have thrilled guests left residents less impressed.
“The engines were deafening – my poor dog was shaking for hours,” one villager fumed. “It’s exactly what we feared when Pippa moved in: people with too much money and not enough consideration.”
As dusk fell, the festivities shifted into overdrive. Guests spilled out across the manicured grounds as the music pulsed from inside the stately house and out into the still country air. The bass line, say neighbours, reverberated across the village until 1:30am.
“I’m a night owl and I like a good party as much as anyone,” another resident sighed. “But this wasn’t just a party, it was a spectacle. They could have had a silent disco – instead, they blasted us all out of bed.”
Guest List to Rival a Royal Wedding
If the noise was excessive, the guest list was equally extravagant. Industry whispers suggest the ‘racy’ theme was a nod to Matthews’ dalliance with Formula One. Among those rumoured to be in attendance were former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and his Spice Girl wife Geri Halliwell, who have long been part of the couple’s glamorous circle.
Also said to be there was Matthews’ brother Spencer, accompanied by his wife, Vogue Williams, and – tantalisingly – the Prince and Princess of Wales. Palace sources refused to confirm, but speculation has been rife that William and Kate joined the festivities privately, lending the event the sort of A-list sparkle money alone cannot buy.
A Spitfire, Champagne, and Country Outrage
Inside the grounds, champagne reportedly flowed, music thundered, and the roar of laughter echoed into the early hours. Outside the gates, the atmosphere was less convivial.
“People are furious,” one neighbour told this newspaper. “It was selfish and inconsiderate. We are a small community. People go to bed early. But because it was James and Pippa, they thought they could get away with disturbing the whole village.”
Others were more measured but no less critical. “They’re lovely people, I’m sure,” one local shrugged. “But it shows a lack of respect. There are a lot of wealthy families around here who manage to celebrate without upsetting the entire parish. This smacked of entitlement.”
The Matthews’ Country Life
Pippa Middleton, 42, and James Matthews, 50, purchased their vast country estate in Berkshire several years ago, retreating from London to raise their three children closer to nature. The move was seen by many as the couple’s bid to step away from the spotlight, with the serene countryside offering a welcome contrast to London’s relentless paparazzi.
But Saturday night’s spectacle suggests that the Matthews household is anything but subdued. The birthday bash, complete with air displays, booming music, and a guest list peppered with the glitterati, was less Downton Abbey and more Monte Carlo.
A Tale of Two Sisters
The controversy will be an unwelcome distraction for the Princess of Wales, who has long prized her reputation as a steady, quietly dutiful member of the Royal Family. Kate’s younger sister Pippa has always been seen as more free-spirited – famously stealing the show in her figure-hugging bridesmaid gown at William and Kate’s 2011 wedding.
Now, locals say, Pippa’s penchant for glamour has crossed into extravagance. “If Catherine had been the one organising this, I doubt it would have gone ahead the same way,” one neighbour observed pointedly.
A Divided Village
Not everyone in the village, however, is sharpening their pitchforks. A handful of residents confessed they were dazzled by the sight of the Spitfire soaring overhead, its iconic silhouette a reminder of Britain’s wartime spirit.
“It was noisy, yes, but it was also magnificent,” said one elderly villager. “You don’t see a Spitfire every day, do you? It felt special.”
Still, the majority appear to side with the critics, insisting the balance between country tranquility and private extravagance was badly misjudged.
Silent Disco Suggestions and Social Media Storms
Suggestions that the Matthews could have opted for a less intrusive form of entertainment – such as a silent disco, where guests dance to music played through wireless headphones – have been roundly endorsed online. Social media lit up with a mixture of envy, amusement, and outrage after word of the Spitfire stunt spread.
“Imagine being woken up by Pippa Middleton’s husband’s birthday party!” one user posted. “Must be nice to have Spitfires on speed dial.”
Another quipped: “Silent disco, anyone? Or are noise complaints beneath the Middletons?”
High Society, Low Patience
James Matthews, a former racing driver turned hedge fund manager, is estimated to be worth several billion pounds. He and Pippa married in 2017 in a society wedding that drew royals, celebrities, and society figures in equal measure.
Saturday’s celebration was intended as a showcase of his milestone birthday – a declaration of wealth, love, and joie de vivre. Instead, it has risked cementing a reputation among locals for being tone-deaf to community sensitivities.
What Next for the Matthews?
The couple are unlikely to lose sleep over the criticism – not least because they were the last ones awake on Saturday night. But as whispers ripple through Berkshire, the question remains whether Pippa’s reputation as the glamorous, fun-loving Middleton sister will be overshadowed by accusations of entitlement and indifference to those who share her postcode.
For now, the sound of Spitfire engines and pounding bass lines has faded into memory. But the echo of village discontent lingers on – a reminder that, even in the green and pleasant lands of Berkshire, class, money, and privilege can collide in the most unexpected of ways.
