Kate Middleton could teach her children to drive, says former royal butler
It’s no secret that Prince William and Kate Middleton have broken plenty of royal traditions over the years. From taking selfies with fans to showing public displays of affection, they also delayed their honeymoon by ten days before travelling to the Seychelles. Traditionally, royal newlyweds leave straight from their wedding day and typically head to local country estates, rather than exotic getaways.
Now, Kate is set to challenge another royal protocol closer to home. This time, it concerns her children: Prince George, 13, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, eight. The Prince and Princess of Wales continue their quest to modernise the monarchy.
The couple have always been vocal about being hands-on parents. For years, they have been photographed doing the school run, and both have stressed that they want their children to have as normal an upbringing as possible. This is why former royal butler Grant Harrold believes Kate might take the reins when it comes to teaching her children to drive.
While this milestone is far in the future for Charlotte and Louis, George turns 13 next month and is preparing to attend Eton College. Learning to drive is a mere four years away for him.
“When it comes to teaching George, Charlotte and Louis how to drive, I wonder if Kate and William might take a more hands-on approach as they do with so much of their private lives,” Harrold suggested to The Mirror. “I could imagine Kate getting behind the wheel and teaching them herself when they’re old enough. She’s a very calm person so I think she would make a great teacher.”
Of course, the royal children will still have an official instructor, Harrold said, adding that George, Charlotte and Louis’ experience likely won’t be “much different” from regular teens. He claimed the person for the job would be “someone they can trust” and someone local, and that they would have to undergo security checks because of the high-profile learners.
“I imagine lots of the royal cousins would have used the same instructor if it worked logistically, as the family are very loyal when they find someone they can trust,” Harrold said. He concluded: “The main factor for picking an instructor will be trust and discretion.”
Harrold also pointed out that having a driving license is particularly important for royals. This is due to their homes often being on vast estates and not within walking distance of local amenities. “And while they, of course, have drivers, most of them — especially the younger royals — like the freedom of being able to come and go as they please.”
As for whether George will follow in his father’s and uncle Prince Harry’s footsteps and pass first time at the age of 17, it’s a waiting game. First, the world will watch as he makes his Eton debut — the £63,000-a-year school that was also attended by William and Harry.
Just this week, it was all but confirmed that the future King would be enrolling in the prestigious institution this September, after the Daily Mail reported that the news is “going to be announced next week.” As well as the school hosting royals for years, the decision also came down to the fact that it’s an all-boys campus and is close to Will and Kate’s “forever home” of Forest Lodge.
The Mail stated that, in a “smartphone era,” where photos and footage can be shared globally in an instant, it was best for George to avoid a mixed school. “Any picture of George with a girl could be around the world in a moment, however innocent the kiss might be.”
