According to former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond, who discussed the topic with The Mirror, the Prince and Princess of Wales probably embraced a quieter schedule in 2026—especially now that Catherine is recovering well from her cancer treatment. Bond noted how quickly the couple returned to royal duties after the positive news about Kate’s health, calling their renewed public presence “quite a shift.”
“They’ve been out and about constantly, traveling across the country,” she explained. “So I imagine they feel completely justified in taking full advantage of the Easter break to focus on their children.”
Bond acknowledged that some people may question the amount of time the couple sets aside for family holidays, but she emphasized the unique demands of their future roles. “Yes, many families work hard,” she said. “But William and Catherine hold positions that come with lifelong responsibility. There’s no retirement age for a King and Queen.”
For that reason, she believes no one should fault them for carving out this important time with their kids. Their vacation plans are always kept private, but Bond suggested the family most likely retreated to their Norfolk residence, Anmer Hall.
Another factor that may have encouraged their quiet escape is the ongoing controversy surrounding Prince Andrew. Bond pointed out that Andrew now lives only a few miles from Anmer Hall, adding, “I’m sure they welcomed the chance to distance themselves from that situation.”
The Easter break also offers an opportunity for the Wales children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—to spend meaningful time with both sides of their family. Bond noted that the Middletons are always a comforting presence and very close to William and Kate. The children also enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities when in Norfolk: exploring the beach, long dog walks, backyard barbecues, sports, and general family adventures.
Given Kate’s love for the outdoors, Bond believes the princess is especially grateful for every moment spent outside since her cancer diagnosis. She’s long encouraged her children to embrace nature in all seasons.
Speaking about the children’s Easter experience, Bond highlighted how much freedom they enjoy in Norfolk. “They love the wide-open spaces—the room to wander across the Sandringham estate and the chance to play freely along the beaches,” she explained. “It must feel wonderfully normal for them to run across the sand dunes or walk the dogs like any other family.”
The Sandringham estate also provides plenty of rural fun, from watching tractors and feeding animals to picking fruit from the gardens.
And despite their royal status, Bond believes William and Kate make sure their children take on simple household duties. Tasks like making their beds, packing the dishwasher, brushing the dog, and cleaning up after the puppies help teach responsibility.
She concluded by reminding readers that both William and Catherine grew up with stretches of life outside palace walls—doing their own shopping, cooking, and cleaning during their university years and later while living on Anglesey. Because of that upbringing, she believes they want to instill the same grounded values in their own children: that even within royalty, you respect your home and do your part.
