When Wills and Kate welcomed three-year-old Prince George into the world, closely followed by sister Charlotte, one, they were determined to provide a “normal” childhood for the young royals.
That hope meant that Anmer Hall in Norfolk, away from London (and prying eyes), became their perfect family home.
But now, as Prince George prepares for pre-prep school and Prince William questions his career as a helicopter pilot, Wills and Kate are expected to leave their Norfolk residence behind for Kensington Palace in 2017.
Here, the precious family can be seen attending their traditional Christmas Day morning trip to church.
Several reports out of the UK suggest that the royals have put the little Prince’s name down at exclusive London school, Wetherby School, which sits just less than a mile from the iconic palace.
The pre-prep school, which was also attended by Prince William and Prince Harry, has a long history with the royal family.
The school is believed to cost a whopping £6,500 ($AUD11,000) a term.
According to The Telegraph, Wills and Kate are yet to make a final decision on schooling, but the Duchess is said to be “privately resigned to moving back to London.”
Prince George’s education is just one of several reasons that the pair are expected to be moving to Kensington Palace permanently.
As news broke in early December that The Queen would step down as patron from a number of national organisations in the coming months, it is also thought that the Duke and Duchess would take on more official royal duties and expand their charity work.
It is even believed that this decision could spell the end of Prince William’s career as a helicopter pilot.
It seems Wills and Kate have a lot of big decisions to make come 2017.
Speaking with The Telegraph, a source close to the couple said: “The Duke, in particular, has a lot of thinking to do over the Christmas and New Year period.”
“He has his job as an Air Ambulance pilot, which he enjoys very much, but he also wants to take on more royal duties, as does the Duchess.”
It’s clear that the much-loved royal pair are doting parents – they always put their children first.
Another insider added: “They want to be in a position that when they are asked to do more, they are in a position to say yes.”
“The Prince of Wales wants a slimmed-down monarchy and that will also have an effect in terms of the number of duties carried out by each of the core members.”
“Also their ambition for their charitable side is increasing. The impact of the Heads Together mental health campaign, in particular, is making them want to be more active on the issues they care most about.”
The golden trio have worked together on numerous occasions for the Heads Together charity.
The Heads Together charity was famously founded by the golden royal trio – Prince William, Duchess Kate and Prince Harry – in an effort to reduce the stigma around mental health.
In October, Wills and Kate were joined by Prince Harry, 32, as they campaigned for the charity on World Mental Health Day by meeting with people affected by mental illness.
The visit was set around the London Eye, with Harry, Kate and Wills to ride the famous tourist attraction while listening to young people recounting their experiences with psychological issues.
The Duchess of Cambridge took the opportunity to address the crowd, pledging that she and her husband would “do what we can to shine a spotlight on emotional wellbeing.”
She continued: “I think the stigma of mental health needs to go.”
“It’s a really dark place and one that isn’t always seen and I think some people don’t even understand they’re dealing with their own emotional health, almost until it’s too late.”
Brava, Kate!
