Prince William Reflects on Challenging Year and Shares Sweet Insights About Princess Charlotte
This year has been incredibly difficult for Prince William. Despite the challenges, there has been some good news in recent months as the family continues to navigate the twists and turns of their health crisis. William has found inspiration in his children, who serve as a source of strength and joy.
William’s love for his sons is unwavering, but it is Princess Charlotte who lifts his spirits in a unique way. The Duke of Cambridge sweetly calls Charlotte “Minette,” a French term of endearment meaning “little darling” or “cutie.” Their bond has grown even stronger through the family’s recent adversities.
In a recent interview, William hinted at potential challenges ahead for Princess Charlotte, suggesting there may be some drama in the future. Reflecting on his experience as a father, William recalled a moment from 2016, when Charlotte was just nine months old. At the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, ahead of the Six Nations Wales vs. France game, he described his daughter as a sweet and easy baby but joked about the warnings he had received from other fathers.
“Please tell me it gets easier,” he said at the time. “But all the fathers say to me, ‘Just you wait. When they get to 9 or 11, they get crazy.’ I’m looking forward to it; there will be some drama.”
At the time, William and Catherine were balancing their royal duties with parenting two-year-old Prince George and baby Charlotte. Now, life is even more hectic, with George, 11, Charlotte, 9, and their youngest, Prince Louis, 6. In the throwback interview, William noted that his children were getting along well but implied they were a handful. “No broken bones so far, but they are trying—running around, pushing things, and jumping.”
This wasn’t the first time William referred to his children as energetic. In December of that year, he humorously described their Christmas plans. “We’ll go to church as a family on Christmas Day, as we always do. George will be bouncing around like a rabbit. We’ll have two children—one who suddenly appreciates Christmas, which could be quite challenging—but I’m looking forward to it.”
Since then, Charlotte has grown into a confident young girl. In 2017, the Duchess of Cambridge spoke about her during an event, sharing insights with another mother, Samantha Burge. Burge later said, “Charlotte is growing up really fast. She is the one in charge.”
In 2018, the late Queen Elizabeth II revealed that Charlotte often took on the role of looking after George. During a royal engagement, the Queen presented a signed Bible to a 10-year-old girl and asked if she looked after her younger sister. When the girl’s mother said it was the other way around, the Queen remarked, “It’s like that with Charlotte and George.”
Charlotte’s cheeky personality has also shone through over the years. At Prince Louis’ christening, she amused reporters by declaring, “You’re not coming.” In 2019, a clip from the Chelsea Flower Show showed Charlotte urging George to climb rocks, saying, “Quicker, George!” When William asked her to help George, she gave a simple, cheeky response: “No.”
Thankfully, the Princess of Wales is now doing well, and William shared on November 10th that Catherine might be taking on more royal engagements next year. Recently, she has already started stepping out more, attending events to honor Britain’s war heroes on November 9th and 10th. On December 6th, she is set to host her annual Westminster Abbey carol service, as confirmed by Kensington Palace.
The resilience of the family, especially the bond between William and Charlotte, continues to shine through these challenging times, offering a glimpse into their lives as they navigate parenthood and royal responsibilities.
