Kate's gift to all mums 'MY BEST MOTHERHOOD LESSONS'

The princess is giving the royal rascals a childhood reminiscent of her own

- Judy Kean

The realisation that she’s facing a life dedicated to duty is being brought home stronger than ever to Catherine, Princess of Wales, as she observes the responsibilities being shouldered by the current Queen Consort, Camilla in the lead-up to the coronation.

But while Kate knows that as the wife of a future monarch, the expectation to be devoted to service will be relentless, she feels her most important role is an even tougher job – being a mum.

“Her children are the most important things in the world to the princess,” says a palace insider. “She has to juggle her commitments like most other mothers, but if it came down to it, her children will always be her priority.”

Kate, 41, is a very hands-on mother, who has admitted she often struggles with feelings of guilt when work means she can’t be with Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, seven, and Prince Louis, five. “Anyone who doesn’t feel guilty as a mother is actually lying,” she said in a podcast.

For example, she feels bad when engagements mean she can’t do the school run. “This morning, George and Charlotte were like, ‘Mummy, how could you possibly not be dropping us off at school this morning?’”

Kate acknowledges how fortunate she has been to have help with her children, including the services of nanny Maria Teresa Borrallo, who no longer lives with the family but still looks after the children on a daily basis. But while motherhood has been wonderful, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing.