According to British royal expert Hilary Fordwich, the couple is determined to break the mould and do things differently, especially when it comes to how their children relate to each other.
In a chat with Fox News Digital, Fordwich explained how William and Kate are ditching the old-school “heir and spare” mindset, which has long created division among royal siblings. Instead, they’re making a conscious effort to raise Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis on much more equal footing.
“They are both determined to avoid the traditional ‘heir and spare’ dynamic by emphasizing that Prince George is the ‘first among equals,’ so that Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are treated as his equals,” Fordwich shared.
The goal, she said, is to ensure all three children feel valued and included, not overshadowed or pushed aside simply because of where they fall in the line of succession.
And they’re not just saying it — they’re living it. According to Fordwich, William and Kate are hands-on parents, choosing to do everyday things as a family. “William and Kate accomplished this by working as a family unit, for household chores, cooking and the like,” she explained.
That’s a far cry from previous royal generations, who often relied on a staff of nannies while the adults were off handling official duties. That distance, Fordwich pointed out, often left royal children feeling emotionally neglected.
“Both William and Kate, untraditionally for royals, are very involved in their children’s daily lives, from school runs to bedtime routines,” she said.
The couple’s efforts are said to be making a real difference. “They’ve maintained strong family bonds, a sense of normalcy and are reducing feelings of isolation, as well as favoritism,” Fordwich added.
It’s a refreshing change from Prince William’s own early years, which were shaped by his parents’ very public divorce and the constant glare of royal scrutiny.
Rather than replicating that model, William and Kate seem committed to giving their children a more grounded, united upbringing — one where no child feels like an afterthought, regardless of their future royal role.