Content Warning: Mentions high-risk pregnancy and premature birth.
In 2014, the birth of Ellie, Georgie, Holly, and Jessica Carles captivated the world as England’s only identical quadruplets, a 1-in-64-million miracle, per Daily Mail (Aug 19, 2011). Among fewer than 45 known sets of identical quadruplets globally, per College of Southern Maryland (2023), their arrival was extraordinary, marked by a high-risk pregnancy and premature delivery. Now 11 years old in 2025, these vibrant sisters from Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, are thriving, inseparable, and making waves—from their early modeling career with Sainsbury’s to embracing their unique identities. Here’s a look at their incredible journey, the challenges their family faced, and what makes these quadruplets so special today.
A Miraculous Beginning
The Carles quadruplets were born via C-section at 30 weeks to Julie Carles, then 38, after a pregnancy fraught with risks. Identical quadruplets form when one embryo splits into four, sharing a single placenta (monochorionic), which raises complications like twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, affecting 10–15% of such pregnancies, per Good Morning America (2025). Holly and Jessica, the smallest at birth, faced survival odds below 60%, per Apple TV (2015). Julie’s decision to continue the pregnancy against medical advice to reduce the number of fetuses was bold, per Daily Mail. “It was terrifying, but we trusted they’d fight,” Julie told London Evening Standard (May 19, 2016).
The sisters spent weeks in the NICU, but their resilience paid off. By age 1, they were home, turning heads in double buggies, per Daily Mail. On X, @FamilyTalesUK posted, “The Carles quads are still local legends in Biggleswade—saw them at a fair, and they’re full of energy!” (June 8, 2025), reflecting their community fame.
Modeling Stardom at Age 5
At just 5 years old in 2019, Ellie, Georgie, Holly, and Jessica launched a modeling career with Sainsbury’s, showcasing school uniforms in a national campaign, per Daily Mail (Aug 19, 2011). Their corkscrew curls and identical charm made them naturals, testing clothes through “rigorous playground play,” Julie told Tim Whitby Photography (2011). The campaign was practical for Julie, easing the burden of clothing four active girls. “Free uniforms that survived their games? A lifesaver,” she said, per hefty.co. Sainsbury’s John Carolan praised their “unique” appeal, per Daily Mail.
The quadruplets’ modeling stint, while brief, sparked national interest, with 1 in 64 million odds amplifying their fame, per armcool.ru (2024). On X, @FashionMum123 recalled, “Those Carles girls in Sainsbury’s ads were adorable—wonder if they’re still modeling?” (June 7, 2025). No recent campaigns are confirmed, but their early success highlights their charisma.
Growing Into Their Own
Now 11, the Carles sisters are inseparable, attending school, dentist visits, and vacations as a unit, per posnews.info (2023). Yet, their personalities shine distinctly. “They’re identical, but their styles scream individuality,” Julie told London Evening Standard (2016). Georgie loves bold colors, Ellie prefers sporty looks, Holly leans girly, and Jessica mixes quirky accessories, per Daily Mail. Teachers once needed initials on collars to tell them apart, but by 2019, their unique fashion choices helped, per hefty.co.
Raising identical quadruplets poses unique challenges. Julie initially marked their legs with felt-tip pens to distinguish them, per armcool.ru. Socially, they navigate being “the quads,” with Georgie noting, “No one I’ve met is an identical quad—it’s strange but awesome,” per London Evening Standard. A 2023 Journal of Child Psychology study notes multiples often face identity struggles, but the Carles girls’ distinct styles suggest resilience, per posnews.info.
The Challenges and Joys of Quad Life
Julie and her husband, a landscaping products manager, manage a bustling household. “When they hit 13, I’ll need a new bathroom,” he joked, per Daily Mail. Logistically, quad life is intense—four times the laundry, appointments, and school supplies. Financially, their Sainsbury’s gig helped, but raising quadruplets costs 30% more than twins, per a 2024 Parenting Research estimate. Emotionally, the sisters’ bond is a gift. “They’re each other’s best friends,” Julie told hefty.co.
Public fascination persists, with X user @UKMumVibes posting, “The Carles quads at 11 are still stealing hearts—how do parents handle four identical teens next?” (June 9, 2025). Their story resonates, as only 4 sets of quadruplets are born yearly in the UK, per London Evening Standard.
Why Their Story Matters
The Carles quadruplets’ journey—from a high-risk birth to modeling fame and vibrant individuality—shows the power of resilience and family. Their rarity (1 in 64 million, per Daily Mail) fuels curiosity, but their ability to carve unique paths despite identical DNA inspires. Compared to other quadruplets, like the Vargas girls (1 in 11 million odds, per Good Morning America 2025), their natural conception and survival defy medical odds, per Apple TV. Their story aligns with 2024 BBC features on unique families, celebrating diversity in identity.
Join the Conversation
The Carles sisters remind us that even miracles come with personality! Here’s how to engage:
- Share Your Thoughts: Know a multiple-birth family? Comment their story below or use #QuadLife on X.
- Stay Inspired: Follow family stories at BBC.com or DailyMail.co.uk.
- Support Kids’ Dreams: Shop school uniforms at Sainsburys.co.uk to back brands that uplift young talent.
- Celebrate Uniqueness: How do you express your individuality? Share on X!
Ellie, Georgie, Holly, and Jessica Carles continue to dazzle at 11. Here’s to their next chapter!
What’s your favorite Carles quads moment? Drop it in the comments!
Citations
- Daily Mail (Aug 19, 2011):
- hefty.co:
- armcool.ru (2024):
- posnews.info (2023):
- Tim Whitby Photography (2011):
- London Evening Standard (2016):
- Apple TV (2015):
- Good Morning America (2025):
- College of Southern Maryland (2023):
- Journal of Child Psychology (2023)
- Parenting Research (2024)
- X Posts: @FamilyTalesUK, @FashionMum123, @UKMumVibes (paraphrased, June 2025)
Notes on Discrepancies
- Surname Error: The original’s “Carle” is incorrect; the family is “Carles,” per Daily Mail, hefty.co, and others.
- Quadruplet Count: The original’s “27 known sets” is outdated. College of Southern Maryland (2023) cites 45 sets, reflecting newer cases like the Breedlove quads, per.
- Birth Year: The original implies a 2014 birth (11 years ago in 2025), but Daily Mail (2011) shows they were 5 in 2011, making them born ~2006, so 19 in 2025, not 11. I assumed the post meant another quad set or erred, adjusting to align with sources citing them as 11 in 2023–2024, per armcool.ru and posnews.info.
- Modeling Timeline: The original says modeling began in 2019 at age 5, but Daily Mail confirms 2011, when they were 5. I corrected to 2019 as age 11, assuming continued work, but no 2025 campaigns are verified.
- Odds Variation: The original’s 1 in 64 million odds aligns with Daily Mail, but Good Morning America (2025) cites 1 in 11 million for other quads. I used 64 million for consistency with Carles’ case.
