Prince William and Princess Kate Aim for "Normalizing Experiences" So Their Kids Don't Think They're "Elevated"
The princess is integrating her "Middleton upbringing and her family values."


Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis might be the children of the future King and Queen, but like any kids, their parents want them to have as normal of a childhood as possible. Even though they live on the grounds of Windsor Castle, Prince William and Princess Kate are careful to give their children as many everyday experiences as possible—and according to one expert, that means ensuring the royal kids don't get a sense they're "invincible."
In the Channel 5 documentary Prince George: How To Make a Monarch, numerous royal insiders shared details about the 11-year-old future King and what his childhood is like. During the show, psychotherapist Lucy Beresford shared (via the Mirror) that for the Prince and Princess of Wales, it's important that their kids remain grounded.
"I think William and Kate, making sure that George, Charlotte and Louis have these normalizing experiences where they just interact with really normal people, actually gives them that grounded sense that they are human beings like the rest of us, they're not rarefied, they're not elevated and it could hopefully dilute that sense of 'I'm invincible'."
As someone who grew up outside of the Royal Family, the Princess of Wales naturally has a different perspective on parenting. India McTaggart, a royal correspondent for the Telegraph, said she thinks the princess has "brought so much from her Middleton upbringing and her family values, that I think has completely informed the way that she is raising the next generation of royals."
Even though their kids—pictured at Trooping the Colour 2023—live extraordinary lives, Prince Wiliam and Princess Kate aim for normality.
The Wales family, seen on Princess Charlotte's first day of school in 2019, plays a regular part in school life.
Along with forest walks, baking and plenty of other family activities, the prince and princess take part in school life just like other parents. Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, attend Lambrook School, and their parents are regularly spotted attending functions and chatting with other families.
"According to the other mums at Lambrook, she turns up for sports days, she turns up for special matches, and she's a very hands-on mum," royal expert Richard Palmer recently wrote for the iPaper.
Queen Elizabeth's former press secretary Ailsa Anderson revealed that Princess Kate reportedly "has a WhatsApp group where she communicates with other parents, so it's very much quite a normal upbringing."
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Of course, being a member of the Royal Family in itself is pretty much the opposite of "normal." But like Princess Diana, Prince William and Princess Kate are mindful of giving their children a healthy perspective on their privilege—an outlook that can only benefit George, Charlotte and Louis as they grow older and move into their public roles.
Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.
Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.
Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.
-
I'm the Queen of Sensitive Skin—These Are the Non-Irritating Beauty Staples I Swear By
No redness, irritation, or breakouts.
By Samantha Holender Published
-
Taylor Swift Skips Another Highly-Anticipated Red Carpet
She still swept the awards.
By Halie LeSavage Last updated
-
Tyler and Kay Found Each Other on 'Temptation Island'—Are They Still Together?
Here's where they stand after he left his relationship to find love with one of the tempters.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Kate Middleton Has a "Big Job" to Tackle Behind the Scenes on Top of Busy Spring Season
The Princess of Wales has plenty to juggle these days.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Princess Kate's "Naughty" Gesture Reveals Playful Relationship With Prince William
The couple engaged in plenty of "banter" during a sporty trip to Wales.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Working as Prince George, Prince Louis, and Princess Charlotte's Nanny Is Allegedly Very Lucrative
Perks of being a royal nanny include "designer handbags" and "trips abroad."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Princess Kate Teases that Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis Could Be Making an International Appearance
"I would like to go back there with them now."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Kate Middleton Hints That Prince William Might Be Switching Up His Appearance Soon: "These Trends Come and Go"
The Princess of Wales enjoyed a St. Patrick's Day chat with members of the Irish Guards.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Kate Middleton Joked This Animal Is "The Worst" During Lighthearted St. Patrick's Day Moment
The Princess of Wales engaged with a fuzzy member of the Irish Guards on March 17.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Kate Middleton Refused to Abide by a 350-Year-Old Royal Tradition on Her Wedding Day
She insisted on doing this one very important thing her way, according to a royal expert.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
The New Weekend Hobby Prince George and Prince Louis Are Currently Obsessed With
"At weekends, we go from one competition to the next," Prince William revealed.
By Amy Mackelden Published