The sweet sign Prince Charles and Camilla are extremely fond of their grandchildren

Prince Charles and Camilla are certainly doting grandparents

Kate Middleton, Prince William, Prince Charles and Camilla share a laugh
Prince Charles and Camilla enjoy spending time with their grandchildren
(Image credit: Getty)

A royal expert has suggested there is "a little tension" between Duchess Catherine and her in-laws, Prince Charles and Camilla, as the couple would love to spend more time with their grandchildren - proving just how fond they are of the Cambridge clan.

 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's close relationship with Kate Middleton's parents have been known to cause tension between the couple and Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla, according to a royal insider.

While onlookers might assume that the royal family would have the biggest influence on Prince George, seven, Princess Charlotte, five, and two-year-old Prince Louis, the Middleton family are arguably more involved than Prince Charles and Camilla.

Speaking on Channel 5's When the Middletons Met The Monarchy, royal expert Tom Quinn said, "I suspect everyone thinks that in terms of the children, the royal family will inevitably have the most influence, but that is entirely wrong.

“It will be the Middletons that have the influence because the royal family is too formal, it's too stuck in its ways.”

Prince William and Duchess Catherine have made no secret that they'd like to raise their children in as normal a way as possible, and turning to the Middletons no doubt helps the couple remain grounded.

In a sweet nod to just how much Charles and Camilla adore their grandchildren, fellow royal biographer, Jennie Bond, claims the split of time can often cause tension between the families.

She explained, "I suppose there is a little tension at times between who gets to see the grandkids the most.

“Kate will always turn to Carole for help, advice guidance, and just get together and romping around with the kids - possibly before she would get together with Camilla and Charles.”

Mike and Carole Middleton at Wimbledon

Mike and Carole Middleton are involved with the children 

(Image credit: Getty)

Prince Charles - who has spent lockdown at Birkhall, previously admitted he's found it difficult being away from family during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

While technology has eased the distance, it's no match for physical contact.

"I haven't seen my father for a long time, and he's going to be 99 next week," Charles told Sky News in 2020. 

"So I've been doing FaceTime, [it's] all real well but... well, it is terribly sad.

"But I mean, fortunately, you can speak to them on telephones and occasionally do this sort of thing. But it isn't the same, is it? You really want to give people a hug."

Georgia Farquharson

Georgia writes across Woman & Home and Good to Know and specialises in all things royal. Previously labelled the "Queen of the royals," Georgia knows the whose who and what's what when it comes to the monarchy. When she's not eagerly following the royal family, Georgia enjoys shopping and self-care. She lives with this motto in mind; "if your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough."