Despite Kate Middleton wholly embracing the notion of one day becoming the future Queen, she worries that her children’s futures are already inadvertently paved out for them, and they cannot dream about other careers like Harry’s children.
The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, is a proud mother of three, and despite living a real princess life, she has had to deal with the challenges of pregnancy and childbirth like every other mother.
In 2017, the future Queen opened up to a group of fellow moms about how incredibly isolating the parenting experience can be — an encounter she has dealt with firsthand.
Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton at the Noel Coward Theatre on February 25 2020 | Source: Getty Images
“Yes, it is lonely at times, and you do feel quite isolated, but actually, so many other mothers are going through exactly what you are going through,” Middleton told the crowd, as Self.com reports.
While it is not uncommon for mothers in the UK to leave the hospital only hours after giving birth, as long as they are medically okay, Middleton had her special reasons for leaving the hospital hours after the delivery of her children.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge leaves the Lindo Wing with her newborn son Prince Louis on April 23 2018 in London England | Source: Getty Images
Whenever she would be at the hospital, fans would camp outside for weeks causing sheer frenzy and disturbance to other new mothers at the Lindo Wing. It was thus thoughtful of her to return home, where help for her and baby would be a phone call away.
HARRY AND MEGHAN’S CHILDREN ENJOY A NORMAL CHILDHOOD
When Harry and Meghan stepped away from royal duties in 2020, they perhaps did not realize that they were setting a new path for the kids, away from royal responsibilities and protocols.
Since their highly publicized relocation to the US, they have watched their children take on a different path and grow up under normal circumstances. Harry even disclosed that Archie already wants to be an astronaut or a helicopter pilot when he grows up.
Harry can also openly enjoy his children’s milestones as he did a few days back when Lilibet took her first steps. The father of two could not be more excited and shared the intriguing moment with People saying:
“Her current priorities are trying to keep up with her brother; she took her first step just a few days ago! Proud papa, here.”
Lilibet, whose name was inspired by her great grandmother’s family nickname, is yet to meet the Queen and other royal members. However, she has met Princess Eugenie, who visited Harry and Meghan at their home in Montecito during her US trip.
Prince Harry, his wife Meghan Markle and their son Archie on September 25 2019 in Cape Town South Africa | Source: Getty Images
Lilibet’s first steps are just part of Harry’s children’s milestones. In 2021, Harry celebrated Archie saying his first words, which besides “mama” and “papa,” was “grandma.” However, the moment was bittersweet for Harry as his mother, Princess Diana, would never be around to see her grandchildren.
To give their children a regular life, Harry and Meghan enrolled Archie in kindergarten in January, where a fellow parent says he has integrated well with the rest of the kindergarteners and is now “one of them.”
Unlike the Mynors’ Nursery School that Prince George attends, Archie’s school emphasizes mental health and the environment, as evident from the gardens with fruits, plants, butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
Besides taking their son to regular school, Harry and Meghan are hell-bent on maintaining a private life for their children. It was thus in place for them to sue when they discovered that paparazzi were flying drones and helicopters within mere feet of their home to take photos of their son.
A PAINFUL DILEMMA
While Harry and Meghan have successfully “escaped” the responsibilities and duties of being royal, Middleton cannot say the same for her children. With a vast percentage of working royals being in their sunset years, the burden of the future monarchy falls on the Cambridge children.
And whether they like it or not, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Loui will have to bear the mantle of ensuring the monarchy’s survival.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge lwith Prince George and Princess Charlotte on the Sandringham estate on December 25 2019 in King’s Lynn United Kingdom | Source: Getty Images
Unlike Harry’s joy when his son said he wanted to be a pilot when he grew up, Middleton does not have the luxury of hearing her children’s dreams because all of Britain has their eyes on the three.
Despite the Cambridges’ efforts to give their children normal childhood, including doing school runs and taking them with her to the supermarket, it is undeniable that a reality they did not choose for themselves awaits them.
Kate Middleton, Prince William and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Loui on June 8 2019 in London, England | Source: Getty Images
Once they come of age, they will be required to take up the monarchy’s duties, responsibilities, and protocols. Even at their tender ages, they are already being readied for their futures and have no chance to dream about being someone else other than royals. And as royal expert Daniela Elser would write:
“It must be painful for Kate to know that while other kids look at the future with goggle-eyed wonder, her children’s paths look set in Portland stone.”
THE CAMBRIDGE KIDS’ LIVES TODAY
Princess Charlotte is not only being prepared for her future royal roles, but the youngling has also taken after her grandmother and great-grandmother.
Prince William, Kate Middleton and their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte on September 5 2019 in London England | Source: Getty Images
Though her outward appearance resembles her great-grandmother, The Queen, her personality has taken after her late grandmother, Princess Diana. Body language expert Judi James said as Marie Claire reports:
“Like Diana, she gives the initial impression of shyness, but beneath that appears to be an outgoing, fun personality. She also picked out several of the cameras with her eyes, as Diana always remembered to do.”
Her joyful personality is so discernible that Charlotte was pictured smiling and exchanging grins with her older brother during her great grandfather, Prince Philip’s memorial.
The Cambridge’s second child, daughter Princess Charlotte | Source: Getty Images
But it is important to note that it took the Queen’s intervention for Charlotte to carry the title Princess. According to The King George V convention, Charlotte was not eligible for the title of Princess or Her Royal Highness (HRH).
However, according to royal historian Marlene Koenig, the Queen intervened when Kate was pregnant with her first child by issuing a Letters Patent that ensured all Cambridge children would be known as a Prince or Princess.
Middleton and William are pretty aware that George is still a long way from taking over the throne, and as much as they want normal childhood for him, they are not slowing down the preparations for him to one day rule the monarch.
The Cambridge’s firstborn child, son Prince George in Norfolk United Kingdom | Source: Getty Images
They have taken on the duty of molding him into a kind, empathetic, generous, and intellectually curious man. They also ensure that he remains grounded and is not spoilt even with the luxuries of life at his disposal.
And while the Cambridges had initially held off discussing George’s “life of future royal service and duty,” a royal author disclosed that they did tell him about his future role as King of England “sometime around his seventh birthday.”
Prince William with his children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Loui | Source: Getty Images
Recently, William expressed his concerns about his children when George complained about picking litter at school every day, confused about where it came from. He shared:
“He couldn’t understand. He’s like, ‘Well, we cleaned this. Why has it not gone away?'”
And while Charlotte and Loui are still a little young to understand the impact of the resources they use on the planet, William says they are beginning to become aware that these things matter, adding that he “did not want to give them the burden of that worry.”