Prince William and Kate Middleton have been praised for their hands-on parenting style, but they enforce one strict rule: none of their children, including 13-year-old Prince George, have mobile phones. The future king's teenage years will differ from most British teens due to this digital detox.
No Phones for Royal Children
William confirmed in an interview with Eugene Levy that none of his children have phones. 'We're very strict about it,' he said. Instead, the family prioritizes conversation. 'We sit and chat. It's really important,' he added. However, William conceded that when George starts at Eton in September, he may be allowed a basic phone without internet access to keep in touch with family and friends.
Catherine's Concerns About Digital Technology
Catherine, Princess of Wales, has written about her fears for a generation 'born into a world immersed in digital technology.' She warned that checking phones during conversations or scrolling through social media at dinner withdraws 'the basic form of love that human connection requires.' Her views align with the couple's strict parenting approach.
A Normal Upbringing Amid Royal Duties
William and Kate strive to give George, Charlotte, and Louis as normal an upbringing as possible. 'I do try and stick to school timetables as best as possible,' William said on Eugene Levy's Reluctant Traveller documentary. 'Most days we're in and out of school doing pick-ups and drop-offs.' He emphasized that balancing work and family is crucial: 'For me, the most important thing in my life is family.'
Unlike King Charles, who was often raised by nannies, William and Kate are frequently seen at their children's sporting events and school productions. A parent from Lambrook school told journalist Tom Sykes that William and Kate were the ones organizing games at a birthday party, while other parents hired entertainers and drank wine.
Boundaries and Privacy
A friend of the couple said, 'The prince and princess have put in boundaries to give their children an incredibly normal upbringing in the circumstances.' William has always wanted to give his children the normal upbringing he didn't have. Prince George has experienced more privacy than his father did at the same age, spending more time with both parents.
William previously stated, 'If I can't give my time to my children... I worry about their future.' He believes royal duty is important but must be balanced. 'You've got to develop into the duty role,' he said in a 2016 interview.
