The Prince and Princess of Wales are not taking the stock-standard approach to parenting their three children.
According to royal commentator Victoria Arbiter, the expectations have shifted since Prince William’s own childhood – meaning Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will face considerably less pressure than young royals have in the past.
William and Kate will ensure their children “have time to live their lives”, Victoria Arbiter says. Matt Porteous/Kensington Palace
Speaking to nine.com.au, Arbiter shared insight into the route the royal parents appear to be taking as they raise their family.
“I do think William and Catherine will make sure that they have time to live their lives,” she said.
She went on to explain the royal line of succession had considerable impact on how William and Harry were raised – and that it would be very different with this generation of royals for one key reason.
“Because Charles was the immediate heir to the throne when William was small, the responsibility and expectations at the time were dramatically different to how it is now,” she said.
Charles became the heir apparent at age three, meaning his firstborn son William was already second in line to the throne at birth.
Meanwhile, George was third in the succession line at birth, and was nine when he moved into second place – and William into first – following Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022.
“William and Catherine have really been able to benefit from not having quite the same pressure on them for the longest time, of course, because the Queen lived for such a long time,” Arbiter said.
She speculated the parents would be “very keen” for their three young royals to be allowed gap years, university lives and ultimately to traverse their own paths – before there comes a time when royal duty demands more of them.
Prince George has faced “dramatically different” expectations in his childhood compared to William. PA
“George will have to do time with the Military in the same way that William did, and clearly he’ll find his path as well,” Arbiter said.
She particularly commended the manner in which the Prince and Princess of Wales have raised Princess Charlotte, who she likened to Princess Anne in her level of maturity and support of her older brother.
But there was one key aspect of William and Kate’s approach Arbiter praised most highly.
“Where the Waleses have been smart is they’ve introduced their children to their royal responsibilities in safe, controlled environments that also fulfil their interests,” she said.
Speaking previously about his parenting, Prince William revealed he was adamant his children have a “relatively normal home life,” despite their royal titles.
“The Waleses have introduced their children to their royal responsibilities in safe, controlled environments.” Getty
“I do try and stick to school timetables as best as possible. So, most days we’re in and out of school doing pick-ups and drop-offs,” William said during an appearance on Eugene Levy’s The Reluctant Traveller series.
“Getting the balance of work and family life right is really important because, for me, the most important thing in my life is family.”