Princess Catherine ‘admires’ fellow royals’ parenting style as she hopes to prepare Prince George, Charlotte and Louis ‘for life in the real world’

The Princess of Wales is said to 'admire' the way Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex are raising Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn...

Princess Catherine ‘admires’ parenting style, seen here during a visit to Army Training Centre Pirbright
(Image credit: Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage via Getty)

It’s said Princess Catherine “admires” the parenting style of two fellow royals and reportedly hopes to emulate this for Prince George, Charlotte and Louis.


During a walkabout in Windsor on September 10, Prince William and Princess Catherine revealed they’re maintaining “normality” for their three children as the Royal Family grieve the loss of Queen Elizabeth II. Now it’s been suggested that Princess Catherine could be hoping to emulate the parenting style of Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex, when it comes to giving her children a relatively quiet upbringing as royals.

As reported by Express.co.uk in her new book, The New Royals: Queen Elizabeth’s legacy and the Future of the Crown, royal correspondent Katie Nicholl wrote that Princess Catherine “admires” the Wessexes for preparing their kids for the “real world”.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend The Order of The Garter service

(Image credit: Photo by Pool/Max Mumby/Getty Images)

The youngest of the late Queen’s grandchildren, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn, have been raised largely outside the royal spotlight at Bagshot Park and do not have HRH titles.

“Kate is said to admire the way Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, are raising their children – Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn – in the bosom of the Royal Family but prepared for life in the real world,” she reportedly alleged.

The publication also suggested that the book claimed that Princess Catherine wishes to adopt a similar parenting style. This comes just a few years after the Countess of Wessex opened up about how Louise and James are “very likely” to have to work for a living.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, James, Viscount Severn and the Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex attend the Easter Matins Service

(Image credit: Photo by Andrew Matthews-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Speaking to The Sunday Times back in 2020 Sophie said, “We try to bring them up with the understanding they are very likely to have to work for a living.”

She later added, “They go to a regular school. They go to friends for sleepovers and parties. At weekends we do lots of dog walking and stay with friends.”

Now Lady Louise Windsor is following in Prince William and Princess Catherine’s footsteps having secured a place to study at St Andrews University. Although Prince George being second in the royal line of succession means that it might be difficult for him to live out of the royal spotlight, Katie Nicholls suggested that Louis could possibly end up becoming a “private citizen” and Charlotte might also have a career. 

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis (C), accompanied by their parents the Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, arrive for a settling in afternoon at Lambrook School

(Image credit: Photo by Jonathan Brady - Pool/Getty Images)

“George, Charlotte, and Louis, who had starring roles at the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June, are being raised by their parents with an awareness of their positions and the roles they will one day carry out in support of the monarchy,” the author alleged. “George knows that like his papa, he will one day be king, while Charlotte will likely juggle the role of being the spare with a career."

“Louis could well be a private citizen undertaking occasional royal duties, like William and Harry’s cousins Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, as well as princesses Beatrice and Eugenie," she added.

Members of the Wales and Wessex families are understood to be close and have been spotted together on many occasions over the years, from chatting animatedly at the Commonwealth Games in July to standing side-by-side on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Jubilee.

Emma Shacklock

Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!