With the Princess of Wales’ work around early years development – even setting up her own foundation to research and raise awareness of the subject – it’s no surprise that the childhood she’s creating for her own children is high on her priority list. And, according to royal expert and host of the Queens, Kings And Dastardly Things podcast, Kate Williams, she shares her values with the late Princess Diana.
The Prince and Princess of Wales’ three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, have grown up in the public eye and are all expected to attend official events, increasing in number as they grow older. However, as much as possible, the Princess tries to create a normal home life for them.
‘Kate, very much in the tradition of Princess Diana, sees the focus on the home and childhood at home,’ says expert Kate Williams. She points out that Princess Diana made sure Princes William and Harry went to theme parks and on cinema trips to experience fun, family moments just like other children. In the same way, ‘there’ve been sightings of [the Wales children] in supermarkets and swimming pools and going trick or treating,’ says expert Kate.
Other details about the family are well known, such as the couple doing the school run themselves and enjoying car trips together. For example, in 2019, Kate was snapped enjoying a family picnic out of the car boot with her three children, while watching Prince William play at match at the Billingbear Polo Club. In an unexpected move for someone marrying into the Royal Family, Kate has even taken Prince William and the children to spend Christmas with her family, instead of at the palace.
‘George, Charlotte and Louis are being brought up with close family occasions and living as normal a life as possible,’ says expert Kate. ‘The Princess of Wales always talks about [having had] a very happy, country childhood, and that’s exactly what she wants for her children.’
Indeed, nature is a big theme for Kate and her family. We know they love spending time outdoors together, both at home in the UK and on private holidays abroad. In official portraits and videos released of the family, the outdoors is always the main backdrop. A recent family photograph showed the five laying together in the grass – the image was to celebrate the Prince and Princess of Wales’ 15-year marriage. By marking it with a relaxed, outdoor image, they make it clear that spending time as a close family is the most important part of their life together.
Princess Charlotte’s most recent birthday was also celebrated with a portrait of her standing in long, daisy-sprinkled grass. Prince Louis’ birthday, on the other hand, was marked with shots of him enjoying a boat trip out at sea, cementing the family’s love of the outdoors and ‘normal’ childhood hobbies.
