Blue-blood children get a common touch.
The new princess will have a strong female influence in its life and the sway of both grannies will be most keenly felt.
It is well-known that Carole Middleton is a very hands-on granny. There have been whispers that Prince Charles and Camilla have felt “edged out” in the rivalry for time with Prince George.
But Diana’s influence lives on in the attitude and character of her sons, too and that in turn will help to shape the upbringing of both Prince George and the new addition to the Royal family.
While Prince Charles drilled into his young sons Prince William and Prince Harry the importance of duty, Diana was the one who famously took them to McDonald’s and theme parks.
She also took her young princes to Centrepoint, the charity for homeless young people. She wanted to show them ALL sides of life, and demonstrate that not everyone was as entitled as they were.
It’s an attitude they have carried with them, with both Prince William and Prince Harry striving to use their Royal privilege to help those less fortunate. Prince William has been patron of Centrepoint since 2005, carrying on the work Princess Diana believed so strongly in.
Royal expert Christopher Warwick believes the influence of both Princess Diana and Carole Middleton will be key.
“William and Harry were very fortunate with Diana as a mother because her ideas were so different to the previous Royal generation. The importance of this to her two sons has been enormous,” he says.
Prince William is known to feel totally at ease at the Middleton family home.
Royal watchers suggest that not only does he approve of Carole Middleton being so closely involved in Prince George’s life, he actively encourages it.
And so it will be for the new arrival, too.
“The Duchess’s childhood was pretty ordinary,” says Christopher. “She won’t want her children to be subject to rules and protocol before they need to be.”
It is also known that the Duchess of Cambridge is happy for Diana’s continued influence.
Royal author Andrew Morton, who wrote the infamous book Diana: Her True Story, says: “Catherine never met Diana but she’s a great admirer of her humanitarian work and her influence on her sons.”
While Prince George’s path in life is pre-destined, the new arrival’s is slightly less so. Duty will still prevail but with a greater degree of freedom.
It’s what both the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge want for their children to have as normal an upbringing as possible.
If snooty insiders within the Royal court disapprove, that is seen as their problem to deal with.
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