Having well-behaved children is over-rated. As parents, of course we do our best to teach our kids to be polite and to understand there is a time and place for everything. But if our kids act silly or throw a fit, it’s perfectly normal. In fact, experts say it’s actually a sign of healthy parenting — and something that Prince William and Kate Middleton seem to instill in their kids.
If you’ve ever seen Princess Charlotte, 10, sticking her tongue out in public or Prince Louis, 7, making silly faces, then you know how playful these royal kids are. Child and adolescent therapist Laura Gwilt shared some insight into what this fun kid-appropriate behavior says about the Waleses’ parenting style.
Related story
Princess Diana Reportedly Gave Teen Son Prince William an ‘Embarrassing’ Birthday Cake That Proves She Was the Coolest Mom
“This speaks to a secure attachment base — when children feel supported and accepted at home, they are more able to express their authentic selves in different environments,” Gwilt told Hello!
COWES, ENGLAND – AUGUST 08: Princess Charlotte of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge having fun together after the inaugural King’s Cup regatta hosted by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on August 08, 2019 in Cowes, England. Their Royal Highnesses hope that The King’s Cup will become an annual event bringing greater awareness to the wider benefits of sport, whilst also raising support and funds for Action on Addiction, Place2Be, the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, The Royal Foundation, Child Bereavement UK, Centrepoint, London’s Air Ambulance Charity and Tusk. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Getty Images
She commented on a time when Charlotte played with her braids and made silly faces at a hockey game in 2022. “In this moment, Princess Charlotte is showing a very age-typical display of playfulness,” Gwilt said. “… It’s similar to the moments we’ve seen from Prince Louis; while each child’s temperament will shape how they express themselves, their willingness to be playful in public suggests they are growing up with space for self-expression alongside clear boundaries.”
Learning to express yourself might sound contradictory to the British royal family’s nature, but it’s important for growth and development. “Playfulness and humour are linked to better emotion regulation skills, resilience in stressful situations, and stronger social relationships,” Gwilt explained. “For children in the public eye, the ability to stay grounded in those playful, age-appropriate behaviours is a protective factor — it helps maintain a sense of normality and childhood despite the unusual level of scrutiny.”
Recently, royal historian Marlene Koenig revealed that this parenting approach is also evident in the way Middleton parents her eldest child Prince George, 12, as he prepares to one day inherit the throne. “She is there to be the loving, supportive mom in everything George does, because he is her son first and foremost,” Koenig told Us Weekly.
Previously, royal insiders shared that Middleton doesn’t stress about her kids acting up. “Louis is an energetic child and clearly was unable to contain his excitement at being at a public event,” a royal insider told OK! Magazine after Trooping the Colour in June 2024. “Kate doesn’t worry about their behavior too much. She loves to see them being kids.”
In fact, Middleton herself has corrected people who guessed she was “the strict” parent. “No, I’m definitely not strict!” Princess Kate responded with a laugh. “How can you tell that? Surely not!”
Next time you see a kid acting silly or wild in public, take a moment to appreciate the parent who encourages playfulness and self-expression, just like the royals!
Before you go, check out every time Prince Louis had his big sister in his corner.