It’s clear that Prince George has a different upbringing than most kids because of, ya know, being a royal. There’s the spotlight and the fanfare and the royal engagements, all leading up to one day when he will presumably be crowned king.
No pressure.
So yes, the 9-year-old’s childhood is different from non-royal kids. But it is also different from other royals who stood in his same shoes, as second in line to the throne. And why is that?
“Kate!” the crowd yells in unison. Kate Middleton didn’t grow up in the royal sphere, and so she has been reportedly trying to bring some normalcy to his childhood. To give him bits and bobs of the kind of upbringing she had. So, while Prince William gives his son the firsthand knowledge and experience of being a member of the royal family, the Princess of Wales is there to let him be a regular ol’ kid.
It's a royal sibling showdown between Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte. https://t.co/w9K1M1GgUT
— SheKnows (@SheKnows) June 21, 2023
“It’s a massive balancing act,” one palace insider told PEOPLE exclusively. “William and Kate are doing the right thing, protecting him so he can have as normal a childhood as possible, but he’s also dipping into duties as a future monarch.”
Another source close to the royal household shared a similar sentiment. “Coming from a different background, she appreciates the importance of having family time,” they said. “She wasn’t brought up in that aristocratic setting where you see the children for a short time each day.”
“Royal families over the generations haven’t had the chance to get those foundations right, but they have,” another source confirmed.
Sweet Treats
I mean, c’mon, Kate Middleton is definitely the s’mores-making expert of the family. And though Prince George looked to have burned his marshmallow at the Big Help Out volunteering event following the coronation of his grandfather, King Charles III, Kate was right there to show him to roast them like a pro.
Father-Son Fun
So what about Prince William? He, of course, does his best to do “typical” father-son activities with the young prince. Earlier this month, he took him to day four of the second Ashes test match at Lord’s in London. Sure, they had primo seats and the kind of paparazzi a regular family wouldn’t, but they did look to be having a fun time together in such a casual environment. Especially when George was munching on a slice of pepperoni pizza. It’s not all tea and crumpets for that kid!
Family Bonding
When the focus isn’t on s’mores and ‘za (two very important parts of childhood!), Kate is nurturing her family’s love of the outdoors. In a 2020 interview, Kate said she was happiest when “I’m with my family outside in the countryside, and we’re all filthy dirty.”
“Someone did ask me the other day, ‘What would you want your children to remember about their childhood?'” she continued. “And I thought that was a really good question, because actually if you really think about that, is it that I’m sitting down trying to do their maths and spelling homework over the weekend? Or is it the fact that we’ve gone out and lit a bonfire and sat around trying to cook sausages that hasn’t worked because it’s too wet?”
We love that William and Kate are trying their best to strike a “normal” balance for their little monarch-in-training. It looks like Prince George has a great chance of being a relatable ruler some day!
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