Princess Catherine, who has made her way back to Windsor after a peaceful holiday in Norfolk with her closest family. As the Princess prepares to celebrate her 43rd birthday on January 9th, it looks like she’s in for a low-key, intimate celebration, quite the contrast to the busy holiday season spent at the family’s country retreat.
The Wales family certainly had a packed festive schedule, enjoying quality time together over Christmas and New Year. But now, it’s time to return to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor as the royal children get ready to head back to school. Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis all attend Lambrook School in Berkshire, which is close to their home. According to the school's website, the spring term begins on Wednesday, just one day before their mother’s birthday.
The children will undoubtedly be excited to reunite with their school friends and celebrate their mother’s special day, after what has been a challenging year for the future Queen. Last March, Catherine was diagnosed with a type of cancer, and though no major celebrations for her birthday have been confirmed, it is believed the family will keep the occasion private. Given the hardships of the past year, Catherine will likely be hoping for a far more positive start to the year, and with each passing week, she seems to be growing stronger.
Life with three children is never quiet, but Catherine has thrown herself into supporting them as they return to school and rejoicing that the challenging year has finally ended. Now, the Princess of Wales is likely feeling optimistic about the year ahead after undergoing cancer treatment. While Meghan Markle started the new year seeking social media attention, Catherine has chosen to focus on her family and royal duties. It’s expected that Catherine will ease herself back into her full-time duties, with many unofficial engagements likely in the coming months.
Rather than hitting a reset button in January, we’ll see the princess continue to balance her recovery with her public-facing responsibilities. As she mentioned back in September, the impact of cancer on one’s perspective is profound, and it’s clear that Catherine and William’s decisions in the past year have been deeply influenced by their desire to balance royal obligations with being present parents.
Despite their royal duties, both William and Catherine remain hands-on parents to their three children. However, they follow a traditional approach by employing a nanny to help with their busy lives. One notable rule in their household sets them apart: the word “kid” is strictly off-limits. Their nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Balo, who has been with the family since 2014, is not permitted to use the term around the children, as it is considered disrespectful. Maria, who hails from Palencia, Spain, has been a constant presence in the children’s lives since Prince George was an infant.
Parenting expert Louise Haron explains that these rules reflect the Wales family’s deep respect for their children. The prohibition of the word "kid" is a way to honor the children as individuals, even though they are some of the most recognized kids in the world. Despite their royal status, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis enjoy a relatively private and normal life at home, far removed from the pressures of their titles.
Though they are still young, the bond between the Wales children and their mother is evident in every public appearance. For them, seeing their mother return after being away for six months must have been an emotional moment. Palace statements have suggested that having Catherine back with them in their carriage and on the balcony during major royal events provided a huge emotional boost for the children. It allowed them to witness the strength and unity of their family, despite the challenges they’ve faced behind closed doors.
