Following the Princess of Wales’s recovery from her illness diagnosed in early 2024, Prince William and Kate Middleton haven’t embarked on many trips in the past year. As senior working royals, they will eventually need to commit to more travel away from their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—but this slower pace has allowed them to spend more time together.
The pandemic provided William and Kate the opportunity to stay close to home and avoid overseas travel for a year or two. While Prince Louis is still waiting for his first trip abroad, Prince George and Princess Charlotte have already joined their parents on a few journeys.
Even though they haven’t been apart from their children for extended periods, leaving them is always difficult, as it is for any parent. According to a royal expert, Kate Middleton has struggled with these emotions often, and during an international trip in 2022, they became especially overwhelming.
Representing the Royal Family both at home and abroad is a critical part of their role. William and Kate have taken several trips abroad, sometimes bringing their eldest two children, while Prince Louis has yet to experience his first royal tour.
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Fortunately, the couple has a strong support system when they’re away. Their nanny, Maria Borrallo, is always available, as are Kate’s family members, particularly her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton. The couple has played a key role in helping care for George, Charlotte, and Louis, especially during Kate’s recovery.
An insider shared with People Magazine that “her parents have been a constant presence in their grandchildren’s lives,” and that they provided much-needed support while Kate was recuperating.
The royal children also enjoy a close-knit extended family, including their cousins, and James Middleton, Kate’s brother, has said that George, Charlotte, and Louis are great at keeping his son, Inigo, entertained.
While Prince George knows he will one day be king, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will have different roles. According to royal analyst Jennie Bond, William and Kate are keen to ensure that Charlotte and Louis don’t feel like “spares,” as Prince Harry has expressed in the past. They want all their children to feel valued and will likely encourage Louis to explore careers outside of the royal family, possibly in the military or other meaningful pursuits.
Bond emphasized that William and Kate have a modern approach to parenting and will work to ensure that all their children understand the importance of empathy and a fulfilling life, regardless of their place in the line of succession. Royal expert Camilla Tominey agrees, stating that William and Kate will want Charlotte and Louis to pursue their own careers, should they wish to, ensuring they don’t feel confined by their royal status.
The couple has been deliberate about how they introduce their children to public life, particularly Prince Louis, who has yet to attend major events like Wimbledon or Euro 2024, as he’s still quite young. However, his time will come.
While William and Kate receive considerable support from their family and staff when they travel, leaving their children behind is always tough, particularly for Kate. During a 2022 trip to the Caribbean, she found it especially challenging to be away from her three children, despite the comfort of knowing they were in good hands.