It’s crunch time for the Prince and Princess of Wales when it comes to easing their kids into royal life. William and Catherine have always vowed to give their children as normal an upbringing as possible. In the almost 13 years since they became parents, they’ve managed to stick to that promise.
The couple has worked hard to juggle their work schedules while prioritising time together as a family. That includes fitting in school drop-offs and pick-ups, holidays, and supporting Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven, from the sidelines of their sports matches and in the audience for their concerts.
The youngsters do attend regular events like Trooping the Colour and are seen at special occasions like the King’s coronation, but for the most part, their lives are lived out of the spotlight. But this year, the Wales family has reached a crossroads. Their children are getting older. George will become a teenager in July, and it’s time to gradually expose them to the royal responsibilities that will shape their futures. But they have to do that carefully, warn royal experts.
“It’s about not making the children do anything that puts them off the idea of being royal in the future,” explains royal biographer Robert Hardman.
In the last year, William, 43, and Catherine, 44, have slowly begun giving future king George a taste of what’s to come. They’ve taken him to a D-Day anniversary tea party, the Festival of Remembrance concert and a charity for people experiencing homelessness, where he saw his parents in action as working royals and also engaged with people himself.
A slow introduction to destiny
Majesty magazine editor-in-chief Ingrid Seward says the pace at which they introduce the children to what the future holds is important. They start with George. It needs to be slow and the children should be allowed to choose events they’re personally keen on.
“I remember the Princess of Wales once saying that they always discuss these appearances with George, that he is never pushed,” says Ingrid.
A taste, not the full meal
“William is doing what he can to get George to look at the world in a certain way. George wants to do these things – you can see how good he was with the old soldiers at the D-Day event. William is happy for him to have a taste of it, but not the full meal.”
It’s no coincidence that two of the events George attended last year paid tribute to those who have served in the military. When he’s the monarch, George will be the head of the armed forces in the UK. Before then, he is expected to follow in his father and grandfather’s footsteps, serving in at least one branch.
Preparing the next generation
When Charlotte and Louis get older, they too will be well prepared by their parents for royal life. Charlotte has already joined her mum and dad at sporting events. A palace insider says the decision to take first George and later Charlotte to sports matches is a clever one.
“Not only do they get used to the attention while doing something they enjoy, but they get to observe first-hand their parents interacting with members of the public and understand how to engage with strangers as part of the job.”
Learning the art of the walkabout
Adds royal writer Richard Fitzwilliams, “It’s a good way to acclimatise them without overwhelming them.”
Meanwhile, the traditional walk from St Mary Magdalene Church back to Sandringham House after the Christmas Day service provides an invaluable experience of what it’s like to do one of the “walkabouts” for which the royal family is famed, and even Louis takes part.
Practice makes poise
Last Christmas, the children separated from their parents to talk to members of the crowd gathered along the path, although Catherine and William were nearby, keeping a watchful eye. The trio were excited to receive gifts. Louis’ face lit up when he was given a giant piece of chocolate. It was also a chance for them to practice shaking hands, making small talk and posing for photos.
“The children are so well-mannered and charming, they carry themselves so gracefully,” observed one onlooker.
These kinds of compliments delight their parents, a royal aide says.
Shaping the future monarchy
“They know it is time to start moving their children from the protective cocoon they’ve wrapped around them throughout childhood to the inevitable public parts of life as a member of the royal family. “They also appreciate that how they do this will have lasting implications not only for how the children cope with the roles they were born into, but for the future of the modern monarchy, which needs
to be relatable and resilient. This is an important time for them all.”
What they’re like
Raising royal kids in the 21st century is a challenge for the Prince and Princess of Wales. Not only are there all the demands of life in the public eye to deal with, but they have three children with very different personalities who are likely to cope with their fame and the responsibilities of royal life in varying ways.
Given Prince Harry’s defection from the royal family and subsequent complaints about how he was treated as the spare to the heir, they want to make sure each of their offspring can find their footing and make the most of the extraordinary lives they have been born into.
Prince George
The serious and mature one
A pivotal year ahead
This year is a big one for the future king. He turns 13 on July 22 and will start at secondary school – the location yet to be revealed – shortly afterwards.
Hormone-fuelled teenagers can ramp up the pressure on parents as they start to find independence – and George may be no exception. Things are more complicated for him because he doesn’t get to choose his career path. But insiders say William and Catherine have been gently guiding him for many years to accept his destiny, and his demeanour at the royal engagements he attended with his parents last year suggests he understands what will be required of him and may relish many parts of the role.
Proof in practice
Mick Clarke, chief executive of Passage, the charity for homeless people George visited with his dad last year, noted that the young prince was keen to do his bit as he and William helped prepare lunch.
“He’s very much like his dad,” says Mick.
“He just wanted to get stuck in and help.”
Winning people over
Meanwhile, attendees at the D-Day anniversary tea party, at which George was a surprise guest, were impressed by his quiet maturity.
“George was the star of the room,” tells one.
“He was engrossed in conversation with many of the veterans who were delighted to speak to him as well.”
Royal reporter Russell Myers noted the young prince was “very engaged” and handled chatting to much older people with confidence. George often appears serious in public but has a playful streak that comes out at home, says a palace insider.
“He’s aware of his role and its responsibilities, and is a thoughtful young man. But in many ways, thanks to how he has been raised, he is just a normal 12-year-old.”
Prince Louis
The affectionate and cheeky one
The cheekiest youngest
As the youngest of the family, Louis, seven, can get away with a lot more than his older siblings, which is just as well because he is known for his cheeky nature. The youngster often steals the show at family events, pulling faces and joking around, such as covering his ears during the noisy flypast at Trooping the Colour.
Letting Louis be
Catherine has admitted she sometimes has to remind herself that Louis is a big boy now and no longer a baby. But she and William are still firmly protecting him, keeping him out of the limelight a lot more than his brother and sister, because he’s still very young.
“Louis is not quite ready to attend events that require him to sit still for long periods of time,” reveals a palace insider.
“They won’t make him do anything until he is up to it.”
Louis is said to be very affectionate and energetic, and what he lacks in patience he makes up for with his sweet nature and enthusiasm.
Princess Charlotte
The poised and determined one
A force in the making
She’s only 10, but already there have been suggestions that Charlotte could be the powerhouse of this generation of royals.
She can be quite feisty – she’s been spotted telling off both of her brothers at public events in the past, including berating a squirming Louis at Trooping the Colour – and has a strong sense of doing what’s right.
“She’s a determined girl,” says children’s wear designer Amaia Arrieta, who has met her several times.
“She is sweet but also has her own opinions.”
Wise beyond her years
Despite being so young, Charlotte is poised and polished at royal occasions.
“She’s a natural and has taken to royal events like a duck to water,” says a royal courtier.
Adds Amaia, “Her personality is not forced. She looks very confident and at ease with herself, and the environment she’s in. The maturity that comes with that responsibility, she seems to nail it.”
Royal biographer Robert Hardman says Charlotte reminds him in many ways of Elizabeth II.
“You can definitely see traits of her great-grandmother – the practical common sense, not camera-grabbing but solid and responsible. She is quite a strong character, almost wise beyond her years.”
