It’s not often that we get a hint of what life is like for the young blue-bloods behind the gates of Kensington Palace but now the Duchess of Cambridge has given a rare insight.
During a visit to the Basildon Sporting Village, just outside of London on Tuesday October 30th with Prince William, Duchess Catherine made a comment to a royal fan which made hearts melt.
That’s one mighty royal hug!
Visiting the sports centre as part of the Royal Foundation’s Coach Core programme, the Duchess couldn’t resist a warm embrace with one of the participants, Janet Emery.
While protocol means the royals usually steer clear of public displays of affection or taking selfies with fans (a royal standard which Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry blew out of the water in spectacular fashion as they hugged their way around Australia, the South Pacific and New Zealand on their royal tour recently), Duchess Catherine hugged the delighted fan back with a beaming smile on her face.
It was then that she made an unguarded comment about her style of parenting which had royal fans and parenting experts cheering.
“Hugs are very important. That’s what I tell my children,” said the mum-of-three.
Showing love and affection to her children is something the 36-year-old royal obviously holds dear to her heart judging by other comments the Duchess has made about being a mum.
In an open letter the Duchess shared as part of Children’s Hospice Week in the UK recently, she wrote about the special moments she enjoys with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and baby Prince Louis.
“Spending quality time together is such an important aspect of family life and for me, as a mother, it is the simple family moments like playing outside together that I cherish,” she wrote.
The Duchess roared with laughter during the royal visit to Basildon Sporting Village.
And, on a school visit in 2017, Duchess Catherine spoke about the lessons she and Prince William hoped to instil in their children.
“My parents taught me about the importance of qualities like kindness, respect, and honesty, and I realise how central values like these have been to me throughout my life,” she said.
“That is why William and I want to teach our little children … just how important these things are as they grow up. In my view, it is just as important as excelling at maths or sport.”
We couldn’t agree more Duchess Catherine!
Cuddles with Mummy at the polo.
