Prince William Describes "Fear of Having a Newborn" & Kate Says She Was "Naive"

Amy Mackelden
Photo credit: Handout - Getty Images
Photo credit: Handout - Getty Images

From Harper's BAZAAR

  • Prince William made several official royal visits this week in support of mental health organizations.

  • After visiting homeless charity The Passage on Wednesday, and Pall Mall Barbers on Thursday, Prince William attended a "Future Dads" session, where he opened up about becoming a father for the first time.

  • The Duke of Cambridge described the "fear of having a newborn baby," and talked about the "vulnerable" position many people are in when starting a family.

Prince William's busy week of royal engagements saw the duke opening up about his own family life, and what it's like looking after a newborn baby.

While visiting the "Future Men" Fathers' Development Programme at the Abbey Centre in London on Thursday, William put in an appearance at a "Future Dads" session. The prince was honest and open about his own experience with fatherhood, and the complicated emotions that go along with it.

He told the group of expectant fathers (per People), "The fear of having a newborn baby, that’s very vulnerable and that’s what you spend most of your time worrying about, thinking what do I do? And that’s the thing isn’t it? It’s very daunting of how tiny they are when they first arrive."

Photo credit: Stuart C. Wilson - Getty Images
Photo credit: Stuart C. Wilson - Getty Images

The Duke of Cambridge visited a programme called “Future Dads”, set up by the charity #Futuremen in London this morning. The charity is located in London and provides advice and support for fathers, helping to develop their confidence as dads. The Duke met Dads who had taken part in a course and practical sessions to prepare them for fatherhood - where he said that: “It’s quite daunting how tiny they [babies] are when they arrive.” His Royal Highness also joined a “self-care” session. The Duke works to reduce stigma around mental health as part of The Royal Foundation @heads_together campaign.

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Feb 14, 2019 at 5:26am PST

William also discussed learning to change diapers with men attending the group. He explained, "They are so fragile and everything's so tiny, their little fingers and toes, you do feel like if you move them around too much they’re going to break almost but they don’t!"

His wife, Kate Middleton, also opened up about the challenges of parenthood, while visiting a Mental Health in Education conference this week. According to People, the Duchess of Cambridge revealed, "I was very naive myself as a parent of really just how important particularly the early years are for children’s futures." Now, the duchess works with several organizations that support the early years development of children and young people.

Photo credit: BAZAAR
Photo credit: BAZAAR

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