Kate's seven rules of royal parenting
OK! UK|January 15, 2024
The Princess of Wales is using the lessons she has learnt as a leading voice for childhood development to give her own family the best start in life
REBECCA RUSSELL 
Kate's seven rules of royal parenting

After all the excitement of Christmas, many parents are eagerly welcoming the return of some much-needed structure as their children go back to school – and the Prince and Princess of Wales are no different.

Fresh from their festive celebrations at Anmer Hall, Sandringham, the couple are preparing to send Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, back to Lambrook School to begin a new term.

As order is restored for the royals, so too is the task of juggling work and family life. They are able to maintain a calm and happy household thanks, in part, to Kate’s sharp focus on early years development.

Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond believes it is Kate’s understanding of a more contemporary style of parenting that makes their children so well adjusted and well behaved.

“The whole ethos of early development is something that a lot of parents are learning alongside Kate, because it’s quite a radical new way of parenting,” she says.

“It is an idea built on mutual respect, understanding, patience and allowing the child to lead the way. Very often, it is about exploring the child’s own feelings, confusions and anguish.

“Kate will very much be the leader in this and William will be the follower. He will have been learning from her how to be a different kind of parent.”

The princess, who celebrates her 42nd birthday on 9 January, has become one of the leaders in this field.

Her Shaping Us campaign, launched a year ago this month, highlights the critical importance of early childhood in creating the adults we become.

“The way we develop, through our experiences, relationships and surroundings during our early childhood, fundamentally shapes our whole lives,” she said at the launch of the campaign.

This story is from the January 15, 2024 edition of OK! UK.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 15, 2024 edition of OK! UK.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM OK! UKView All
A CITY OF TWO HALVES
OK! UK

A CITY OF TWO HALVES

There's a holiday for every budget to be found in Dubai, as OK!'s Faith Richardson discovered

time-read
3 mins  |
December 02, 2024
'Christmas is a double whammy'
OK! UK

'Christmas is a double whammy'

Chef James Martin on the pressures of dividing his time between his restaurants and his family over the festivities

time-read
4 mins  |
December 02, 2024
LEARN HOW TO PLEASE YOURSELF
OK! UK

LEARN HOW TO PLEASE YOURSELF

The festive season can be an incredibly stressful time, particularly for people-pleasers who struggle to put their own needs first

time-read
3 mins  |
December 02, 2024
'There's a bit of faking it until you make it'
OK! UK

'There's a bit of faking it until you make it'

Actor Paul Mescal on entering the Gladiator II arena, building a blockbuster body for his role as fighter Lucius Verus, and heading up an A-list cast of Hollywood's finest stars

time-read
4 mins  |
December 02, 2024
THE A-LIST HAIL HOLLYWOOD'S BIG HITTERS
OK! UK

THE A-LIST HAIL HOLLYWOOD'S BIG HITTERS

A line-up of the film world's best-known faces attended this year's Governors Awards to celebrate lifetime achievements

time-read
4 mins  |
December 02, 2024
'I think we arrived right on time'
OK! UK

'I think we arrived right on time'

The stars of the long-awaited film Wicked, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, tell us why its themes are so relevant right now and why the musical is so dear to their hearts

time-read
6 mins  |
December 02, 2024
'No one knows who I am'
OK! UK

'No one knows who I am'

Having first found fame on social media, GK Barry has become the breakout star of this year's I'm A Celebrity

time-read
5 mins  |
December 02, 2024
'I still pinch myself about how we met'
OK! UK

'I still pinch myself about how we met'

Now legally married, MAFS Uk’s Adam and Tayah Aveling are looking forward to Christmas with their daughter and welcoming baby number two in 2025

time-read
7 mins  |
December 02, 2024
THE ROYAL WEEK
OK! UK

THE ROYAL WEEK

It was a sad week for Queen Camilla, but a good week for the royal family’s charities with visits to hospitals and homeless centres

time-read
2 mins  |
December 02, 2024
WILLIAM AND KATE'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS
OK! UK

WILLIAM AND KATE'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS

After a challenging year for the royal family, the Prince and Princess of Wales plan to give their children an unforgettable time filled with fun and festivities

time-read
6 mins  |
December 02, 2024