The Duke and Duchess are beloved by the world for their open and down-to-earth attitude, and those qualities take centre stage when it comes to playing mum and dad to their two children.
Prince William and Duchess Catherine have always wanted to be parents. In fact, shortly after Kate married William, she expressed her desire to have children, musing, “I hope we will be able to have a happy family ourselves.”
And her wish came true! Now the couple, who’ve been married since 2011, are the proud parents to a son, three-year-old Prince George, and their precious daughter, Princess Charlotte, now 16-months.
Checking in on her little man.
We love seeing the Duchess in mum mode!
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While well-wishers have seen glimmers of how the family interact and what their home life is like through their sweet portraits and special outings, it is their royal tour of Canada that is really showing off the gentle nature of the new generation of royals.
Arriving in Canada after a long-haul flight, it was clear young George was a little overwhelmed by the fanfare, and that was no doubt mixed with jet-lag.
Catherine, with baby Charlotte held up on her hip, bent down to ease her son… And did we mention she did it in heels!
Active listening works no matter the occasion!
Aside from being attentive, this particular parenting technique is known as “active listening.”
While it may be deemed a royal faux pas, after all, Her Majesty did tell her grandson William to “stand up” after he bent down to chat to his son during their appearance at Trooping the Colour in June – in reality, it’s highly praised by experts.
Child development guru Gill Connell spoke to People about why active listening is such a valuable form of parenting.
“Active listening is one of the most important ways you can send the message, ‘You’re important to me,'” the parenting expert explained to the publication.
Gill explains that responding with both “verbal and nonverbal cues such as nodding, smiling and hugging” are great ways to “foster self-esteem in powerful ways while encouraging him to communicate even more.”
Learn more about active listening in the video player below! Article continues…
It’s about building your little one’s self esteem.
Even Obama joins in on the parenting technique!
Prince William has been seen using the technique on several occasions, most memorably while they were watching the RAF display at Trooping the Colour, and during a visit to the Royal International Air Tattoo, with father-of-two adopting the bent stance frequently when addressing his son.
No doubt Wills’ ability to be so in touch with the kids is something he inherited from his mother, Princess Diana.
Royal watchers have often noted how much the 34-year-old has taken from his mother’s book.
After all, it was Princess Diana who threw out the royal rule book and insisted her children join her when they travelled overseas on royal tours. Before Lady Di, this was unheard of and royal children would spend months apart from their parents.
And now decades later, Prince William and Duchess Catherine are following suit.
A royal rule breaker: Diana was a very maternal parent and insisted her children join her on official tours overseas.
And her ways shine through her son.
Keeping his mother’s traditions alive!
Prince George often wears actual hand-me-downs from his dad. Wills also keeps many of the traditions he grew up with alive with his kids, from holidays in the snow, to sending his son to a normal school.
With the kids expected to join their parents later in the Canada tour, we are likely to see more of Wills and Kate in parent mode over the coming week.
Charlotte and her big brother Prince George will meet Justin Trudeaus’ three children, Xavier, eight, Ella-Grace, seven, and two-year-old Hadrien, when they attend a children’s party in Victoria.
Here’s hoping they have anything that has wheels, as our favourite Prince is “obsessed!”
Just like many boys his age, Prince William says his son is fascinated with cars, trucks and planes.
While touring a high-tech equipment on show William told Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s wife Sophie that George would be particularly impressed by a state-of-the-art fire truck.
“My son George would be obsessed with that!”
Can’t get enough of the royals’ tour of Canada? Relive the highlights from the tour in the gallery right this way
Cheeky Georgie loves things all wheels!
