Prince William and Kate Middleton are working to provide their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—with as normal an upbringing as possible despite their royal status. When they recently visited the Aros Hall community centre on Scotland’s Isle of Skye, the couple illustrated their desire to make family life harmoniously coexist with royal duty.
Prince George currently attends Year 7 at Lambrook School in Berkshire, where he is preparing for the academic challenges ahead. He’ll turn 12 this July, and as he leaves behind the emotionally vulnerable years of early childhood, he begins the sometimes turbulent transition into adolescence. Princess Charlotte is in Year 5 at Lambrook, and the little Princess can’t wait to turn ten on May 2. At the same time, Prince Louis, their youngest Year 2 sibling, will be turning six this month.
Education Comes First
William also emphasized the importance of education as a value his children should carry. In fact, he thinks their education should take precedence over any royal engagements at this stage of their lives. Prince George recently demonstrated his willingness to walk the walk in education by sitting down for his first large battery of exams in 2023. This accomplishment highlights the challenging academic expectations that have been set for him.
The royal couple’s desire to prioritize education aligns with their broader aim to ensure that their children lead relatively normal lives. They did a great job of presenting their cohesiveness as a family when they attended Trooping The Colour 2024 as a unit. This commitment was beyond illustrative of their commitment to public service.
Community Connections
On their recent visit to Aros Hall community centre, the Princess of Wales showed genuine excitement at what community centres like this can offer. The center features the only soft play area on the Scottish isle. Here, families can engage, and children can experience the joy of unstructured play.
Kate shared her own experiences of taking her children to similar venues, remarking, “We hang out a lot at soft play. Mine absolutely love it.” She spoke about the importance of community support, stating, “You need to bring ‘the village’ together,” emphasizing her belief in fostering connections among parents.
Balancing Royal Duties and Family Life
Prince William admits that parenting is hard, especially in the face of royal duties. He noted, “You still think you can do it yourself, but…” indicating that the complexities of raising children in the public eye often require support and collaboration.
The couple’s visits to community centres and their engagement with local families reflect their commitment to instilling values of community and connection in their children. Like any good parents, William and Kate are hands-on. They are preoccupied with trying to keep the raising of their kids centered in regularity and learning.
