Prince William and Kate Middleton have chosen "a very different way of bringing up" their children, according to a royal expert.
Jennie Bond, former BBC Royal correspondent, has explained how the Prince and Princess of Wales have adopted a more modern approach to parenting their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. The expert said this has made the kids "far more relatable, and far more 'normal'" when compared to other members of the Royal Family.
She stated: "It's all very well to repeat the royal mantra that 'duty' is paramount. But if you ask any 'ordinary' folk about their priorities. I have absolutely no doubt that almost 100% would say family. Family is what counts beyond anything."
Speaking to OK! Magazine, Bond further noted that Kate has taken cues from her own parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, as she adopts a softer approach to raising her children, ensuring they are "wrapped in a bubble of love". Kate's style of parenting includes a softer approach of "never shouting, always listening to their complaints and tantrums, and allowing them to freely express their feelings and anger."
She added: "The late Queen had huge responsibilities when she was a young mother becoming monarch, as she did, when she was just 25. Charles and Diana were preoccupied to an extent by the mess their marriage had become, and like most children from a broken family, William and Harry felt the repercussions."
Bond suggested that Charles "retreated" into his study when he became a single dad following Diana's death. The expert also suggested Kate's parenting approach could have "significant" benefits in the future by providing the children with a more balanced perspective on life, which could help them maintain a "long and loving relationship with their parents."
The parenting style of the Waleses is a stark contrast to that of the late Queen Elizabeth and her son King Charles, who prioritized his work over his children when they were young. Despite this, William holds no grudges against his father. In fact, he admires his father's commitment to his duties, as revealed in Robert Jobson's new book, Catherine, the Princess of Wales.
However, the Prince of Wales acknowledges that his father's work-centric approach negatively affected him during his formative years and strained their relationship. Charles' commitment to his royal duties often left William and Harry feeling side-lined, prompting William to embrace a more involved parenting style.
He's frequently seen bonding with Prince George, emphasizing a childhood filled with affection. Kate, for her part, has sent a strong signal to the Royal Family that her children are her top priority, insisting on full maternity leave out of the spotlight.
