Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince William Make a “Groundbreaking” Decision for Their Kids.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are a distinctive kind of royal parent.
Prince William and Kate Middleton have lengthy been eager to do royal lifestyles and specially royal parenting their very own way.
Case in point? The choice to put their eldest son and inheritor to the throne, Prince George, in a co-ed faculty so that he should attend with both his youthful brother Prince Louis and his youthful sister Princess Charlotte. All three children attend Lambrook School and will head again to a new college yr next week.
“That chimes with William looking to do matters in a extra present day way, placing all three teens in the identical school,” royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith informed People for the outlet’s ultra-modern cowl story. “It’s a new direction—groundbreaking for the royal family.”
This will be George’s remaining yr at Lambrook earlier than he heads off to in all likelihood both Eton College—the all-boys faculty that is the Prince of Wales’s alma mater—or, much less likely, Marlborough College, the co-ed college that the Princess of Wales attended. William and Kate aren’t afraid to spoil subculture in the identify of normalcy for their kids, like their mentioned choice to pass into the $21 million Forest Lodge via the give up of the yr and stay there even after William takes the throne. If that need to manifest quicker than predicted and George all at once will become first in line and, as culture dictates, Prince of Wales, William can also lengthen granting him that title if he is nonetheless in school, in accordance to a palace supply speakme to People.
“They would choose him to focal point on having freedom earlier than giving him any royal titles,” the insider informed the publication.
Royal historian and biographer Robert Lacey advised the outlet, “I think about that when William talks to George about matters like this, he makes use of phrases like ‘destiny’ as an alternative than ‘duty.’ ‘Duty’ has a feel of being trapped; ‘destiny’ has a feel of choice.”
Now that he is 12 years old, George is slowly opening to take on royal duties. “Even even though he is so young, he appears to have grown in self belief over the ultimate couple of years,” The Mirror’s Russell Myers instructed People.
The palace supply brought that George “comes throughout as a serious chap,” however it makes sense: “To have the world’s eyes on you, specifically when you’re so young, is demanding,” the insider added.
William’s purpose is to make positive his kids—especially George—“enjoy it alternatively than concern it” when it comes to royal life, royal biographer Robert Hardman said. The Prince and Princess of Wales see introducing George to royal lifestyles as “a sluggish game,” and he’s getting “used to it on the couple’s phrases as an alternative than all of us else’s,” the palace supply said.
George “is the most everyday 12-year-old future monarch we have ever had,” the insider said. “And that is a very suitable thing.”
Kate Middleton (now Catherine, Princess of Wales) and Prince William have indeed made a decision described by royal experts as “groundbreaking” in how they’re raising their three children: Prince George (12), Princess Charlotte (10), and Prince Louis (7). This approach prioritizes a more modern, normalized family life over rigid royal traditions, particularly in education and home environment.
The Key “Groundbreaking” Decision: Co-Educational Schooling for All Three Children.
One of the most highlighted aspects is their choice to send all three children to the same co-educational (co-ed) school, Lambrook School in Berkshire, which they joined in 2022. This breaks from historical royal precedent, where heirs like Prince William and his father, King Charles III, attended single-sex boarding schools (e.g., Eton for William). By opting for a co-ed prep school, William and Kate allow George—the future king—to grow up alongside his siblings in a mixed-gender environment, fostering sibling bonds and a sense of normalcy.
Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith noted in a recent profile that this “chimes with William wanting to do things in a more modern way, putting all three children in the same school. It’s a new direction—groundbreaking for the royal family.” Another expert, Robert Lacey, emphasized how this echoes Kate’s own non-royal upbringing, with decisions “inspired by the country childhood [Kate] enjoyed” and influenced by her parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, who live nearby. This setup has been especially supportive during challenging family times, such as Kate’s 2024 cancer diagnosis and treatment, providing stability for the children.
The children are set to return to Lambrook for the new school year starting next week (as of late August 2025). However, this is George’s final year there before transitioning to secondary school at age 13 (likely Eton College, William’s alma mater, or Marlborough College, Kate’s former school—both prestigious options near their new home). Experts predict Charlotte and Louis may follow similar paths, potentially keeping the siblings together longer.
Broader Parenting Choices for Normalcy.
William and Kate’s overall strategy emphasizes shielding their children from excessive royal pressure while preparing them gradually for future roles:
- No Live-In Staff: At their current home, Adelaide Cottage (a modest four-bedroom property in Windsor), they avoid live-in help to create a “normal family” atmosphere. Staff like a nanny, housekeeper, and gardener commute daily, and the couple handles routines like school drop-offs themselves. A strict no-gossip policy ensures privacy.
- Focus on “Destiny” Over “Duty”: William discusses George’s future using terms like “destiny” (implying choice) rather than “duty” (which can feel trapping), per royal historian Robert Lacey. Insiders describe George as a “serious chap” who’s grown in confidence, recently joining public events like a May 2025 tea at Buckingham Palace for WWII veterans. Biographer Robert Hardman adds that William’s priority is ensuring his children “enjoy it rather than fear it.”
- Upcoming Move to Forest Lodge: By the end of 2025, the family plans to relocate to the eight-bedroom Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park (valued at around $21 million), their “forever home.” This larger but still private estate allows more space without palace formality, staying close to Lambrook and Kate’s family. It’s seen as another modern choice, prioritizing family over grandeur—even if William ascends the throne sooner due to King Charles’s ongoing cancer treatment. A palace source indicated they might delay granting George titles like Prince of Wales during school to let him focus on childhood.
These decisions reflect William and Kate’s commitment to blending royal responsibilities with everyday joys, like sports (George loves football) and family outings (e.g., a recent summer church visit at Balmoral and Wimbledon attendance). As one insider put it, George is “the most normal 12-year-old future monarch we’ve ever had,” thanks to this balanced approach.
Tags: Queen, Prince Charles, Camilla, Prince Louis, Prince William and Kate Middleton, Prince Charles, Prince Harry, Meghan, Lilibet
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