How Kate Middleton’s ‘Replicating’ Her Own ‘Stable’ Childhood With George, Charlotte, and Louis
History will repeat itself if Kate Middleton has her way. A royal expert says the Princess of Wales is recreating her own childhood for her and Prince William’s children. That means certain rules are followed in the Wales household to give Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, a “happy” childhood.
Kate’s ‘replicating’ her own ‘stable childhood’ with the Middleton family
The Prince and Princess of Wales are known for being hands-on parents. Royal expert Jennie Bond told OK! Magazine that a lot of that stems from Kate’s own upbringing (via Mirror). She’s taken cues from her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, to ensure George, Charlotte, and Louis are “wrapped in a bubble of love.”
So, how is Kate “replicating” her “own happy, stable childhood” with the Middletons? She’s using a gentler approach. That means “never shouting, always listening to their complaints and tantrums, and allowing them to freely express their feelings and anger.”
This, according to Bond, could have “significant” benefits to George, Charlotte, and Louis when they grow up. By having a more well-rounded childhood, they could then maintain a “long and loving relationship with their parents” as adults.
Charles and Diana were ‘preoccupied’ when Prince William was growing up
William’s childhood isn’t necessarily something he and Kate are aiming to replicate with their own children. Because, as Bond explained, it was a turbulent time in William’s life during which King Charles III and Princess Diana, like Queen Elizabeth II before them, were “preoccupied.”
“The late queen had huge responsibilities when she was a young mother becoming monarch, as she did when she was just 25,” she said. Meanwhile, “Charles and Diana were preoccupied to an extent by the mess their marriage had become. And like most children from a broken family, William and [Prince] Harry felt the repercussions.”
“Perhaps feeling out of his depth as [a] single dad, Charles retreated too often into his study to deal with his workload when he might have been better off kicking a football around with his boys.”
“It’s all very well to repeat the royal mantra that ‘duty’ is paramount,” she continued. “But if you ask any ‘ordinary’ folk about their priorities. I have absolutely no doubt that almost 100% would say family. Family is what counts beyond anything.”
Going outside is a big part of how Kate’s ‘replicating’ her childhood for George, Charlotte, and Louis
“As children, we spent a lot of time outside, and it’s something I’m really passionate about,” Kate said on a 2020 episode of the “Happy Mum, Happy Baby” podcast. “I think it’s so great for physical and mental wellbeing and laying foundations.”
“It’s such a great environment to spend time in, building those quality relationships without the distractions of ‘I’ve got to cook’ and ‘I’ve got to do this,’” she told host Giovanna Fletcher. “And actually, it’s so simple.”
Asked what she wants George, Charlotte, and Louis to remember from growing up, Kate replied she wants memories of being outside together to stick with them.
“That’s what I would want them to remember, those moments with me as a mother,” she said. “But also the family going to the beach, getting soaking wet, filling our boots full of water. Those are what I would want them to remember. Not a stressful household where you’re trying to do everything and not really succeeding at one thing.”
“I remember that from my childhood—doing the simple things, going for a walk together,” she added. “And that’s really what I try and do with my children as well. Because it totally strips away all the complications, all the pressures.”
Elsewhere, Kate shared she’s “happy” with her “family outside in the countryside and we’re all filthy dirty.”
