A New Chapter for Prince Louis and His Siblings
As the new school year begins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are starting a fresh chapter. On September 3, the three children of Prince William and Princess Kate returned to Lambrook School, marking a special time before a big change. This academic year will be the last time all three siblings attend the same school together, as Prince George is set to begin his studies at Eton College next year when he turns 13.
The family spent their summer largely out of the spotlight, enjoying private time at their country home, Anmer Hall, in Norfolk. While George and Charlotte were seen with their parents at the Wimbledon finals in July, their younger brother, Prince Louis, was not. Considered a bit young for such formal events, Louis did make memorable public appearances at the Trooping the Colour celebration and a church service in Scotland in late August, where his playful and energetic personality once again captured the public’s attention.
A Forever Home and a Fresh Start
As Prince William and Princess Kate resume their royal duties, the family is also preparing for a significant move. They will be leaving Adelaide Cottage, their four-bedroom home on the Windsor estate, for a larger, eight-bedroom house nearby called Forest Lodge. This change comes at a challenging time, particularly as Princess Kate continues her treatment following her cancer diagnosis.
A royal source spoke with the BBC in August, explaining that the move to Forest Lodge represents “a fresh start and a new chapter.” It is seen as an opportunity for the family to move forward from some of the more difficult memories of the past couple of years. Importantly, Forest Lodge is intended to be the family’s “forever home,” a place where William and Kate will raise their children and eventually live when they become king and queen. In a move to maintain privacy and a sense of normalcy, they have chosen not to have live-in staff, just as they did at their previous home. Reports also indicate they are covering the renovation costs themselves.
A Childhood Unlike Their Father’s
According to royal expert and former BBC correspondent Jennie Bond, Prince William is deeply committed to providing his children with a more stable and private upbringing than his own. “William is focused on creating a stable and private family life—the kind he never had when he was growing up,” Bond explained. She added that Prince William describes his approach as “royalty with a small ‘r,’” aiming to raise George, Charlotte, and Louis without rigid labels or an overemphasis on their royal status.
This unique approach has been shaped in part by lessons learned from Prince Harry’s decision to step back from royal life and his feelings of being seen as “the spare.” William and Kate want their children to grow up feeling grounded and united, rather than separated by the traditional hierarchy of the royal family. Their goal is to ensure that George, Charlotte, and Louis have a strong bond and a childhood that is as normal and secure as possible, free from the intense public scrutiny and strict expectations that defined William’s own youth.
