In a candid revelation that will resonate with parents across the nation, the Prince of Wales has disclosed that his eldest son, Prince George, remains without a personal mobile phone - describing the decision as "a bit of a tense issue" within the household.
The Royal Digital Rule
During a conversation with Brazilian broadcaster Luciano Huck, Prince William spoke openly about the challenges he and the Princess of Wales face in navigating modern parenting dilemmas. The royal couple have established a firm household policy: none of their three children - Prince George, Princess Charlotte, or Prince Louis - currently own mobile phones.
"Our children don't have phones," William stated unequivocally. He suggested a potential compromise might emerge when George progresses to secondary school, though even then it would likely be a basic "brick phone" without internet access.
Internet Access: The Core Concern
The future king made clear that his primary apprehension centres around online content rather than communication itself. "I think children can access too much stuff they don't need to see online," he explained, emphasising that traditional text messaging via simpler devices presents no similar concerns.
Royal commentator Dickie Arbiter confirmed that the Princess of Wales has been particularly vocal on this matter, describing smartphones as creating "an evangelical disconnection" within families. "She wants people to talk to each other and not depend on smartphones all their lives," Arbiter told Metro.
This perspective finds support from child protection experts. The NSPCC advises parents considering phones for pre-teens to:
- Follow age requirements for platforms
- Ensure devices are registered as children's accounts with providers
- Maintain regular safety conversations
- Charge devices away from beds to support healthy sleep patterns
Practical Considerations and Wider Challenges
Royal historian Marlene Koenig questioned the necessity of a phone for the young prince, noting that Lambrook School bans mobile phones on campus. She also pointed out that George's personal protection officer carries a phone for emergency communications.
The parenting discussion emerged during William's visit to Brazil, where Rio's city council announced he would be made an honorary citizen of Rio de Janeiro. The recognition, known as carioca, was proposed by council president Carlo Caiado who described William's recent visit as "remarkable and already missed by many."
William's reflections on family life come during a particularly challenging period for the royals, with both his wife Catherine and father King Charles undergoing cancer treatment. The Prince spoke about their approach to communicating difficulties with their children, acknowledging the delicate balance parents must strike.
"Sometimes you feel you're oversharing with the children," he admitted. "But most of the time, hiding stuff from them doesn't work. There's no manual for being a parent. You've just got to go with a bit of instinct."
Despite their global profile, the Waleses maintain surprisingly ordinary routines, with William describing himself as a "taxi driver" during the school run and making efforts to attend sports days and garden play times whenever possible.
As the digital age continues to transform childhood, the royal approach offers a thoughtful perspective on balancing technology with traditional family values - a dilemma facing parents everywhere, regardless of status or background.
