'Prince George has a big destiny ahead of him - his mum keeps him grounded'
It was a decade ago today when we were first treated to the enduring image of the Princess of Wales lovingly cradling a day-old Prince George on the steps at St Mary’s Hospital, London.
Now, as George celebrates his 10th birthday, the bond between mother and son is stronger than ever. And experts say it’s Kate’s caring and confident parenting skills that will give the future king the inner strength required as he navigates his path to the throne.
“George is very lucky to have Catherine as his mother,” says royal expert Jennie Bond. “She’s showing herself to be an excellent parent in quite difficult circumstances and doing a great job of making sure George grows up as balanced, confident and happy as possible.
“As second in line to the throne behind his father Prince William, he really is in a unique position for a child who has only just reached his ‘double digits’ milestone. But it’s his mother who is keeping him as grounded as possible.
“Even though he has this big destiny ahead of him, Catherine tries very hard to ensure his childhood is as normal as possible with walks in the park, outings with friends and visits to local museums and farms.
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Prince George pictured as he turns 10 years old (PA)
The Princess of Wales holds her young son on a trip to Australia in 2014, shortly before his first birthday (PA)“Key to this was agreeing with the press that George and his siblings would largely be left alone in exchange for her initiative to release photos of them at key points in their lives.
“Being in the spotlight must be a bit disconcerting for a 10-year-old, but George now copes pretty well with cameras and public attention at big occasions. Mind you, lately he has had a bit of luck because Louis has earned himself the reputation of being the kid who clowns around and grabs the spotlight. So that takes the heat off George a bit!”
Of course, as busy royals, Kate and William rely on the support of nannies to an extent, however Jennie notes that consistency here has proved invaluable for George.
“It’s really important that George has had one constant in his life since he was eight months old – Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo. She comes from the old-school type of nannying, Norland College, and she’s said to be quite firm with him and his siblings Charlotte and Louis. But she adores them and has a very soft side to her.”
Kate is no doubt aware of the very different circumstances in which both William and his own father, King Charles, grew up. Since last September, George and his siblings have attended Lambrook, a preparatory school in Berkshire, as non-boarders. The school isn’t far from the family’s new home at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Home Park.
For Charles, things were very different. Although supported by his loving parents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, he very closely bonded to his own royal nanny, Mabel “Mispy” Anderson, and found it hard to leave her when term started at Cheam, the boarding school he was sent away to.
“At the age of 10 Charles was not only already away from home at boarding school, he had also been proclaimed Prince of Wales, so he was forced to grow up and experience independence earlier than George. Whenever he was pictured, he was almost always in a suit and tie, looking rather shy.
“George is luckier because William and Catherine are far less formal and more natural around people. I think it’s also much better and more modern to bring up George in a house that isn’t too vast, on the Windsor estate. He’s got a lot on his plate, coming to terms with the role that lies ahead, and the fact that he is, by accident of birth, different to every other child of his age. I think he needs his parents close by to talk things through, which I’m sure they do.
“Although Kate and William will probably send him to boarding school in the future, I suppose that won’t be for another three years. So I think that’s the benefit of learning from the mistakes of the past and doing things differently. As a result I think George is a much more rounded, happier boy than Charles likely was.”
William and his younger brother Harry were raised in a far less conventional manner than previous generations of royals, with their mother Diana injecting a new fun, informal style of parenting and outings to Thorpe Park and McDonald’s. In fact, Diana famously claimed “I don’t go by the rule book. I lead from the heart, not the head,” and that was evident in the way she mothered both boys, tearing up the “children should be seen and not heard” rule of old.
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But only five years after celebrating his own 10th birthday, William had to cope with the traumatic death of his mother at the age of 36 in a Paris car crash.
William, Kate and their children pictured at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2019 ((Credit too long, see caption))Psychologist Emma Kenny tells us how the shock of losing a parent at such a young age may have had some bearing on how William, and in turn Kate, have chosen to raise George and his siblings Charlotte, eight, and Louis, five.
“Having experienced the profound grief of losing a parent at a young age, William understands, like few others can, the importance of providing emotional support and stability to his own children,” says Emma.
“The empathy, kindness and strength he gained from that difficult time are evident in the parenting approach that both he and Kate take.”
Praising Kate’s hands-on parenting style in particular, Emma points out that this is giving George crucial foundations to build on for his future role.
“Kate is showing herself to be an excellent nurturer by providing emotional security and is consistently present at important moments in his life, taking on an active role in his day-to-day activities.
“The way she interacts with all her children publicly demonstrates warmth and understanding. She’s taking a balanced approach, teaching them about their royal duties while allowing them space for normal childhood experiences.
“The past year has probably taught George an awful lot about his destiny – to see the Jubilee, followed by the late Queen’s funeral, and then the coronation. That’s a lot for a 10-year-old to absorb.
“It was a baptism of fire for George, being shown on a global stage ‘You’re second in line to the throne, this is your destiny. This is what’s going to happen to you.’ I hope William and Kate have taken him to one side and calmed him, explained to him and, more than anything, listened to him.”
If ever there was the perfect mentor and ally to help George prepare for the future, it’s Kate, says Emma.
“Kate’s guidance will make a more personable and empathetic monarch, equipped to handle the challenges of modern-day monarchy. Since she’s likely to be queen before her son is crowned, the mentoring that he will receive from her will be powerfully educating.
“She’s sowing the seeds for him to cope with the pressures by maintaining a high level of positive communication and a family foundation of love and security. At 10, George has a secure base from which to explore the world, make mistakes and grow in character.
“The accepting nature Kate and William demonstrate will help him develop emotional literacy and an empathetic nature. Encouraging George to express his feelings and concerns, normalising them and offering comfort, will help him develop resilience, too.
“Of course, all these skills will be essential in his future role as he will face immense public scrutiny.”
Emma also notes that the decision for George not to board while at prep school is crucial to his emotional development.
“Boarding school can create feelings of abandonment in some children, and by keeping George close, Kate ensures he feels secure and loved. She recognises that children need to be able to have fun too, pushing boundaries, expressing themselves without fear and seeing the world around them as an ever expanding playground of opportunity. She prioritises her children’s happiness above the pressure of living in the spotlight, and that is evidence of her child centric approach as a mother.”
Kate is also no doubt mindful to make sure neither Charlotte nor Louis feels like the “spare” their Uncle Harry described himself as, in his shock autobiography of the same name.
“In any family, you try to treat all your kids much the same,” says Jennie. “Just because George will be king one day, I don’t think that will make any difference to the dynamics of family life. I think Kate will treat her three children equally in the home, whether fooling around over the breakfast table or dancing around the kitchen. But she and William will have had to explain to Charlotte and Louis that George does go first, George walks in front, George has a bigger role at the coronation. They will have gently explained it.”
George also enjoys a close bond with all four of his grandparents. Spending holidays and weekends with the King and Queen Camilla, along with his siblings and the extended Windsor-Parker Bowles family, will do a lot to build his confidence.
And, says Jennie Bond, with Kate’s parents Carole and Michael living closer than ever since the Wales family moved to Adelaide Cottage last year, the Middletons also have a part to play in keeping George on the right path.
“Carole Middleton is the most valuable support to her daughter Catherine. Just because Catherine is a senior key member of the royal family doesn’t mean she needs her mum any the less. And I’m quite sure, when things are a bit tough, she gives her mum the biggest hug.”
There will undoubtedly be challenges ahead for young George, but with Kate by his side he’s on track to be a valued, well-regarded head of a much modernised monarchy.
“Kate will no doubt continue to be his biggest supporter, which will be reassuring for George – and less lonely than it would have been for Queen Elizabeth when she ascended to the throne,” says Emma.
Jennie is in full agreement. “George is fortunate to have the parents he has,” she says. “And in particular to have Catherine as a mum, so heavily invested in the theory of early child development. She has clearly read and studied a lot, and that’s very nurturing for her children.
“Along with William, Kate will do a very good job of ensuring George enters his adolescent years and beyond as balanced and confident and happy as possible.”
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