Kate Middleton and Prince William ignored this royal tradition, and it will 'strengthen their family unit'
The Prince and Princess of Wales made a choice for Prince George, Charlotte and Louis that strayed from an established royal tradition
![Prince William, wearing a suit, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, wearing a red coat, arrive at the Dog & Duck pub during their visit to Soho on May 04, 2023](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CxXX9XVNRVCicg7uByYfy6-415-80.jpg)
Kate and Prince William have ignored a royal tradition and according to an expert this choice will "strengthen their family unit".
The Royal Family is known for having plenty of traditions that govern everything from mealtimes to which parts of the year they spend at different residences. However, the Prince and Princess of Wales have been increasingly taking a more modern approach. In recent years we’ve seen them posing for selfies with fans during engagements and personally signing off messages with their ‘W’ and ‘C’ initials. When it comes to their children they’ve also strayed from a tradition that had been upheld by many royals before them, and the BBC’s former Royal Correspondent, Jennie Bond, has suggested that this could "strengthen" their family.
Prince William and Kate have consistently chosen for Prince George, Charlotte and Louis to attend co-educational schools. The eldest two went to Thomas’s Battersea before the family moved to Adelaide Cottage and then all three started at Lambrook School in Berkshire.
Gilded Youth: An Intimate History of Growing Up in the Royal Family by Tom Quinn, | Was £20, Now £7.32 at Amazon
Author Tom Quinn paints a fascinating picture of what it's really like to grow up in the Royal Family, utilising historical sources and testimonies from palace staff. This book includes surprising anecdotes about young royals misbehaving and explores the traditions that surround royal parenting.
This means that Prince George, Charlotte and Louis have only ever been to co-educational schools, unlike their father, uncle, grandfather, great-uncles, great-aunt and great-grandfather. Prince Philip and King Charles were at Gordonstoun when it was still all-boys and Princes Andrew and Edward’s prep school was all-boys, whilst Princess Anne went to the all-girls Benenden School.
Prince William and Prince Harry attended Ludgrove followed by Eton and so it was an interesting move when he and Kate decided that their children should go to the same school. Opening up to OK!, Jennie Bond has expressed her belief that this must surely "strengthen" their family.
"The fact that all three are at school together must strengthen their family unit, and their parents act like other parents in doing the school run as often as possible," Jennie claimed, before going on to reflect more upon Kate and William’s modern royal parenting style.
She said, "They can’t change their destiny, but they don’t have to confront it just yet except on special occasions. So I think William and Catherine have got the balance just right. The children obviously know they were born royal, but they don’t have to be in the public eye very often - there will be time enough for that."
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
Jennie added that "for now" Prince William and Kate have "made it very clear" that it’s their priority to "give their children as normal an upbringing as possible". Perhaps their decision to ignore the Royal Family’s schooling tradition also indicates this. Prince George, Charlotte and Louis all attending the same co-ed prep school is not only lovely for them, but means their parents can pick them all up together and maintain that same “normal” routine they've always had.
In recent months speculation has arisen over where Prince George could go when he turns 13, with many reports suggesting that Eton is a frontrunner. Others have alleged that Marlborough College - which is co-educational - is also a contender.
It’s possible that Prince George could end up going to an all-boys school, but the Wales kids being co-educated for so long is a modern choice from their parents. When it comes to Prince William and Kate’s parenting decisions, Jennie also believes that the couple want to give Prince George, Charlotte and Louis as much privacy as they can and have created a "fun household" for them to grow up in. This likely also helps them to have a more down-to-earth royal experience.
"They have strictly controlled the children’s exposure to the pressures of public life which has bought them a good measure of privacy," she claimed. "They run a fun household, full of noise and bustle, music and dancing where it sounds as if the kids often rule the roost, as in most happy families."
Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!
-
Inside the sought-after Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar 2024 - save over £900 on La Mer, Augustinus Bader and more
Countdown to Christmas with 28 luxury beauty products, including 18 full-size, from the likes of La Mer, Augustinus Bader and Sunday Riley...
By Sennen Prickett Published
-
Anita Rani battles the autumn wind in style with a tie dye jumper and chunky black boots
You don't have to ditch style when putting together a practical outfit - and Anita Rani has proved just that with her latest look
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
Kate and Pippa Middleton upheld sweet family tradition in honour of mum Carole
The Princess of Wales and Pippa seem to have upheld a special tradition when they became mums and it was started by Carole
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton's 'conflicted emotions' over George, Charlotte and Louis' school return - after time that 'can't have been easy'
The Princess of Wales could reportedly have mixed feelings about Prince George, Charlotte and Louis' school holidays coming to an end
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton’s favourite hobby that is ‘less than satisfying’ for King Charles
Kate Middleton's favourite hobby is one her father-in-law isn't a fan of and King Charles took up something else after finding it 'impossible'
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Carole and Michael Middleton’s beautiful home ‘nearly’ had roof ‘blown off’ by Prince William
The Prince of Wales reportedly once almost blew the roof off the Middletons' home and it was revealed in Michael's wedding speech
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton once given chance to ‘back out’ of royal life thanks to Prince William’s selfless choice
Prince William revealed in their engagement interview that he'd wanted Kate to be able to 'back out' if she wanted, before it got 'too much'
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton's disastrous gift from Prince William that he'll 'never' be allowed to forget
Prince William once bought a surprising present for Kate that 'didn't go down well' and he has 'no idea' why he thought she'd like it
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton ‘courageously’ made one thing ‘very clear’ about Prince George, Charlotte and Louis to Royal Family
The Princess of Wales balances her royal role with life as a mother-of-three and she apparently made a key decision long ago
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton's off-shoulder maxi dress was a dazzling example of why sapphire blue should be in every elegant wardrobe
We're still inspired by the Princess of Wales's bold blue maxi dress from 2016 and this colour is such a striking choice for special events
By Emma Shacklock Published