How Prince William, Kate Middleton are protecting Charlotte from Prince Harry’s fate
William and Kate are said to be raising their three children with equal attention
Prince William and Kate Middleton are reportedly taking deliberate steps to ensure Princess Charlotte avoids the challenges faced by previous royal siblings who were not first in line to the throne, a dynamic that has historically created feelings of being sidelined, as seen with Prince Harry, Prince Andrew, and Princess Margaret.
Royal watchers were recently treated to a glimpse of this new approach when Prince William brought Charlotte along to the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 final in Switzerland, where the duo were spotted enthusiastically supporting the Lionesses.
The outing wasn’t just a sweet father-daughter moment, royal commentators say it was a symbolic move toward involving Charlotte in public life without placing her in a secondary role.
Writing for i news, royal correspondent Richard Palmer described the Waleses' parenting strategy as a break from tradition.
“In a royal family traditionally focused on the heir and the spare, the Waleses want their children to have emotional security rather than special treatment for the chosen one,” he noted.
This stands in contrast to past royal norms, where younger siblings of monarchs have often struggled to define their own identities and roles.
Prince Harry’s 2023 memoir, Spare, detailed how growing up in his brother’s shadow contributed to his disillusionment with royal life, ultimately leading to his departure from the Firm.
To avoid repeating this pattern, William and Kate are said to be raising their three children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven, with equal attention and opportunities.
Insiders say Charlotte, in particular, has inherited her mother’s “poise, inner strength, and confidence,” and may be especially well-suited for a public-facing role in the modernized monarchy.
American royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told i that Charlotte could play a significant part in the royal family's future.
“This is an intelligent way to do it,” she said. “I would imagine Charlotte will be part of the picture. I’m not so sure about Louis.”
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