What Kate Middleton Is Like as a Mother Off-Duty to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis

From ELLE

Kate Middleton gave the public a rare look at her youngest son Prince Louis yesterday, releasing three new portraits she took of him to mark his first birthday today. While the Duchess of Cambridge's children have only appeared in public a handful of times, they have a devoted mother taking care of them behind the scenes, who's dedicated to giving them as normal of a childhood as possible, even though they're heirs to the throne.

Kate is committed to her royal work, and she juggles that with her number one priority and focus: her family and being a good mother to her children, Prince Louis and his older siblings Prince George and Princess Charlotte. A royal source shared that “she's got a lovely instinct,” and her children absolutely adore her.

When the Duchess returns home from royal engagements or work, Prince George and Princess Charlotte “come running out the front door and they're like, 'Mummy, mummy, mummy,'" a source said. "Nanny's in the door, but they don't care because Mummy's come home. They're so excited that their mum is back from wherever.”

The Duchess is a hands-on mother. She and William alternate taking their children to school and family is their ultimate priority.

Kate has talked a little about the values she is trying to impart on her children. Last year, she shared that “hugs are very important. I keep saying that to my children. My parents taught me about the importance of qualities like kindness, respect, and honesty, and I realize how central values like these have been to me throughout my life. That is why William and I want to teach our little children, George and Charlotte, just how important these things are as they grow up. In my view, it is just as important as excelling at maths or sport."

Prince William has previously said he is "lucky" to have Kate, acknowledging she’s "an amazing mother and a fantastic wife."

Kate's love of her kids and children is generally reflected in her royal work. Her groundbreaking mental campaign Heads Together that she helms with Prince William and Prince Harry has sought to destigmatize mental health for millions around the world.

“People often ask me why I am so interested in the mental health of children and young people. The answer is quite simple: it is because I think that every child should have the best possible start in life," Kate said.

The Duchess hasn't shied away from discussing the more difficult aspects of parenting either, in an effort to encourage other parents to open up about their own challenges. In a 2017 speech at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Kate said that even she had doubts. “Personally, becoming a mother has been such a rewarding and wonderful experience. However, at times it has also been a huge challenge, even for me who has support at home that most mothers do not," she said. The Duchess pointed out there was no rule book, no right or wrong, and you just had to do your best. "For many mothers, myself included, this can, at times lead to lack of confidence and feelings of ignorance."

Would the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have a fourth child? Time will tell. The couple have always expressed their interest in a big family. In February, Kate admitted she was “broody" with William on a visit to Northern Island when she met five-month-old James Barr in Ballymena. The Duchess joked then that William might be a little “worried” if she started talking about another baby.

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