PRINCESS Charlotte turns 10 today and we may see a subtle change in her role over the next few years.
Although Princess Kate and Prince William are keen to give their three children as “normal” an upbringing as possible, they also want to adequately “prepare” them for royal life.
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Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told Fabulous: “I think William and Catherine have steered a very clever and controlled path in managing their children’s public appearances.
“By taking and issuing regular photos of all three of them, they have kept the public in touch with the new generation of royals whilst protecting their children’s privacy to a great degree.”
However, there could be a slightly development in her royal role.
1. More exposure
Jennie explained: “Now, as they are growing older, we are beginning to see them more and more at public events and enjoying great sporting occasions.”
More on Princess Charlotte
Last year we saw the Wales children on a number of occasions beyond royal events like Trooping the Colour.
This included Princess Charlotte and Prince George, 11, being seen at the Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert in London.
The delighted kids managed to get a selfie with the singer, which she shared on her social media.
Princess Charlotte also attended Wimbledon alongside mum Princess Kate, and Prince George has accompanied Prince William to football games.
2. Confident around cameras
By increasing public appearances slowly, Prince William and Princess Kate have ensured that their daughter feels confident around large crowds.
Jennie added: “They now seem pretty at ease with the cameras.
“And that’s a credit to William and Catherine.”
3. Kate as a mentor
The royal expert pointed out that Charlotte has always seemed to behave impeccably in public.
This, she claims, is partly down to having the Princess of Wales as a blueprint for what to do as she grows older.
She added: “She really is a bit of a mini me and I think she has a fine mentor in her elegant mother.
“Charlotte seems quite at ease in public these days.”
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4. Looking after Louis
While Princess Charlotte is learning the royal ropes, she is often seen keeping an eye on Prince Louis during events.
We saw a particularly adorable moment at Trooping the Colour last year, when Charlotte playfully told her little brother to “stop” dancing along to parade music.
Jennie added: “She takes her responsibility of keeping young Louis out of mischief very seriously.”
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5. Gets ‘work days’ and ‘play days’
When it comes to Prince William and Princess Kate’s parenting style, they take inspiration from the late Princess Diana.
Although Princess Charlotte may have to attend more formal events and high-profile occasions that the average child, it’s not all work for the young royal.
Jennie continued: “Their household strikes me as one way laughter rings out and the children are allowed to make the usual noise and mess of a busy family.
“It’s probably a leaf out of Diana‘s book: she told me she was always determined to give her two boys play days and work days.
“They knew very well that on work days they had to look and behave like Royal princes, but on play days they could put on baseball caps and jeans, eat burgers and go go karting.
“I think William and Catherine will do their utmost to let the children find their own ways in life: although, of course, for George, there is only one path ahead.
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“All three of the children will have to accept that there will be media and public interest in them for the rest of their lives.
“That could be quite a tough pill to swallow and I think their parents are doing their very best to get them used to their destiny.
“I don’t think they will put pressure on the children or expect them to live up to high expectations.
“They just want their kids, who have been born into this very peculiar and rather isolating destiny, to be as happy and healthy as possible.”
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The Prince and Princess of Wales are said to be keen for their three kids to have a humble upbringing, despite being in the monarchy.
“Kate has always wanted the children to live in the real world,” a royal source says.
“She and William don’t want them to live in a gilded bubble.”
Insiders say the key to Kate’s parenting skills stems from her own childhood.
Both she and William have been inspired by the way Kate was brought up, going for country walks, baking cakes and sliding down the stairs on a tray.
Princess Kate is currently making a “gradual return” to royal duties in 2025 following her chemotherapy treatment last year.
Kate Middleton’s ‘golden rule’ with George, Charlotte and Louis
KATE’S key rule for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis is about kindness.
According to HELLO! Online’s Royal Correspondent: “Based on observations of photographs of Princess Diana at the time, and the current Princess of Wales, they are both very affectionate with their children.
“Kate is often seen holding her children’s hands or picking them up for cuddles when they were smaller.
“There are often lots of comforting gestures, such as a pat on the back or stroking their hair. When interacting with other children on her public engagements, Kate often crouches down to their level to engage with them – something that Diana would often do.”
When she’s at the family’s home of Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, despite her royal status, insiders say Kate is just like any other “normal mum”.
A friend explained that behind closed doors, the royal mum is “very chilled at home” but definitely not a pushover and will tell the kids off when needed.
They told PEOPLE: “It’s a normal, busy family home with kids running around and knocking things over. There’s no airs and graces.
“She is doing that to help her children be more grounded and keep their reality in check. That’s what really matters to her.”