As with other senior members of the British Royal Family, Prince William and Princess Kate always have plenty to do during the weeks. Indeed, their duties can also include working weekends, and the couple have traveled far from home several times.
When they welcomed their first child eight years ago though – future king Prince George – their perspective on life reportedly changed somewhat. Today, William and Kate have three children, and it seems as though the pair are endeavoring to raise them in a modern fashion, in keeping with what many believe will be a pivotal theme in the monarchy’s continued existence. That is to say modernization.
Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are all confirmed to be attending King Charles’ coronation on May 6.
Louis, the youngest of the bunch, just celebrated his fifth birthday, and there has been speculation as to whether or not the Prince and Princess of Wales might consider the prospect of adding to their brood.
Earlier this week, Kate visited a baby bank in Maidenhead, where she spoke to staff and helped fold baby clothes. During the engagement, the Princess seemed to divulge information concerning her and William’s thoughts on a possible fourth child.
Suffice it to say that Prince William and Princess Kate have plenty on their hands. The coronation of King Charles is only weeks away, and the entire Royal Family is set to participate in the big celebration, which will include a procession to and from Westminster Abbey.
Things have reportedly been quite tumultuous in the last few months, what with the rumors surrounding Harry and Meghan’s potential participation ongoing. William and Kate’s relationship with the Sussexes is at its lowest point ever – the Princess of Wales in particular appears to have put her foot down.
Kate Middleton “prevented” Meghan from attending coronation, expert claims
Charles officially invited Harry and Meghan, but Harry is set to go it alone. Meghan, meanwhile, will remain in the US with the couple’s children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. But is she only staying behind because it’s the easiest thing for the Sussex family?
According to royal expert and author Tom Bower, Princess Kate had a say in the decision and didn’t “under any circumstances” want Meghan in attendance.
Meanwhile, Bower termed the fact that Harry will attend alone an “ugly compromise.”
“I think we must all be grateful that Kate, in the end, I think, prevented Meghan coming and said she wouldn’t have her there under any circumstances,” Bower said during an appearance on GB News, as reported by Express.
“I do think that for the Royal Family, Harry’s presence is constitutionally important, after all if God forbid something happensit ated to the Cambridges, and all of them died, we’d have King Harry on the throne after Charles, so he’s got to be there.”
He added: “The question is, what is role will be when he gets to London? and I think that the arguments over the last few days have been very much to minimise his presence in the Abbey.”
Moreover, the expert claimed that Kate had warned Meghan that if she attended, she’d have to “sit in the back.”
A royal source told Page Six that Meghan decided against attending the coronation as she felt it would be “inauthentic.”
“They had to make a decision that felt genuine and authentic, especially after everything that has been said and all the things that have gone down,” an insider familiar with the family said.
Details of Kate’s coronation clothes come to light
Recently, details surrounding the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla were revealed. It will, of course, be a grand event, made all the more special for William and Kate as their eldest son, Prince George, will play a notable role.
Some aspects, like what clothes the royals will wear, have not been disclosed. Weeks ago, though, Kate offered some insight into what she’ll be clothed in. Alison Hammond, host of television program This Morning, met William and Kate in Birmingham during their visit to celebrate the diverse culture and creative industries in the area.
She asked what Kate would be wearing at the coronation, and Kate responded that there was a “hint of blue” in the outfit.
Naturally, royals have many traditions to follow, and this often extends to attire. We’ve often seen them wear blue, but what does it mean?
According to fashion expert and personal stylist Samantha Harman, the royals often wear blue to convey that the monarchy is in “safe hands.”
“In colour psychology, blue is associated with trustworthiness;” she told Express. “Camilla and Kate will be well aware of the role they need to play, and every part of their public looks are planned meticulously. Especially for a royal tour.”
She added: “It’s no coincidence that they’re wearing more blue – blue means stability and reliability. So, they’re conveying the message that the future is in safe hands.”
Celebration of Louis’ birthday
In the midst of figuring out their schedule, staying healthy and happy, and attending all sorts of engagements in the UK, Prince William and Princess Kate had a memorable day with their children last week. On April 23, Prince Luis celebrated his 5th birthday.
One would imagine that royal children are thrown huge celebratory events, but for Louis’ birthday, it appears that wasn’t the case. According to royal expert and historian Tessa Dunlop, Kate Middleton isn’t fond of huge birthday parties for her children. Instead, Louis’ birthday was “conventional,” as she likes to keep it traditional.
“It’s always about spending time together, [Kate’s] quite conventional in an old-fashioned sense of the word, I don’t think she’ll shy away from the fact she comes from a conventional family,” Dunlop told OK!.
She added that Louis’ birthday party would have been full of “party crackers and party games” and “mucking in and mucking about”.
“She doesn’t lend out easily to the celeb world, she’s a more conventional, posh girl, really,” Dunlop added.
Prince William and Kate Middleton have made it a habit over the years to release new pictures of their beloved children to mark their birthdays. Often, it’s Kate who’s the photographer, as she has a significant interest in cameras that goes back decades.
For Louis’ birthday, the couple shared a photo of their now-five-year-old smiling, dressed in a blue wooly jumper and blue shorts.
Kate Middleton ‘rules out’ fourth child with 4 words
“Kate is really old school, hands-on, picnics, days on the beach kind of mum, they’ll be no doubt lots of balloons – the birthday accessories will be there,” Dunlop told OK!.
Of course, babies, and the next generation is always a hot topic where the royals are concerned. William and Kate have three children, but there has been speculation as to whether they would entertain the idea of having a fourth child.
It seems as though the royal couple may have made their mind up on that front, at least based on what Kate said during a recent trip to the town of Maidenhead.
During a surprise visit to the Baby Bank in Maidenhead, Kate helped staff fold tiny baby clothes, remarking how she had forgotten how small infants can be.
The Princess was shown bags and boxes of toys, equipment, and clothes received by the Baby Bank, which were then distributed to families in need.
Kate has been a longtime supporter of Baby Bank. The initiative began eight years ago, and today supports up to 22,000 people. During her visit, Kate asked CEOs Rebecca and Lauren Hall all kinds of questions. Yet one of her comments seemed to shed light on the prospect of her and William welcoming another child to their beautiful family.
While helping volunteers sort through donated clothes, Rebecca joked: “I look at them and think I don’t want to go through that again.”
Kate agreed, laughing, and said: “I’ve been there and done that.”
“They do grow so quickly”
Kate also revealed that her daughter, Princess Charlotte, has one particular Disney franchise she loves.
“My daughter is a huge fan of Toy Story,” the Princess of Wales revealed, adding that her son Louis just had turned five.
“It only feels like yesterday that they were this tiny. They do grow so quickly.”
During the coronation, there will be activities nationwide to celebrate King Charles and Queen Camilla. However, the royals are said to want to use the iconic event to promote the helping of others.
Brits will get an extra bank holiday on the Monday after the coronation and are invited to join “The Big Help Out,” which entails volunteering in their communities. Kate Middleton spoke about the importance of volunteering and participating in The Big Help Out on May 6.
She said: “It’s important for people to know that you don’t have to commit to a full day if you can have a slot in the morning. It’s match-making people within the community who want to go and do something with the right organisation.”
Though the Prince and Princess of Wales might not want a fourth child now, that could all change, if reports are to be believed.
Having a fourth child could be “dangerous”, expert claims
That raises the question, could adding another child hurt William and Kate in any way? According to ITV News’ royal editor, Chris Ship, it very well could. He says that William is doing ever more campaigning on environmental issues, and a fourth child could lead to criticism from the “green lobby.”
“A lot of people say that actually, in the interest of the planet, you shouldn’t be having four children,” Ship said.
“I’m sure William might open himself up to some criticism from that, sort of, green lobby if he were to have a fourth.”
Moreover, the royal expert added that, of course, it’s William and Kate’s own choice to have another child or not. But his “personal prediction” is that the couple is “done with three.”
“It’s entirely possible, you know, Kate might have a fourth. Although, you know, remember William and Kate are in their forties,” Chris concluded.
“If they wanted a fourth, I’m sure they will.”
