Why Some Royal Experts Think William and Kate Are Keeping Prince George Too Hidden

Prince William and Kate Middleton have always said they want their three children to have as normal a childhood as possible, especially considering the enormous futures waiting for them. Lately, though, a couple of well-known royal commentators have gently criticised the couple for being too protective—particularly with Prince George, who will one day be king.

The Wales children—George, 12, Charlotte, 10, and Louis, 7—only appear in public a handful of times a year. You’ll spot them on the balcony for Trooping the Colour, walking to church on Christmas morning, or at the occasional Wimbledon final, but that’s pretty much it. For the most part, they go to school, play sports, and live quietly in Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor estate, far from the cameras.

Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond says William and Kate are deliberately delaying the moment they sit the children down and explain exactly what lies ahead—especially the difference between being the heir (George) and the “spares” (Charlotte and Louis). William saw firsthand how destructive it was for Harry to grow up feeling second-best, and he’s determined his younger two never feel that way.

But another respected royal writer, Katie Nicholl, worries the pendulum may have swung too far in the opposite direction. In a recent interview with the Express, she suggested that by keeping George so private, William and Kate risk stopping the public from properly “falling in love” with the boy who will one day be their king.

“William doesn’t want George to have the same level of exposure that he and Harry had as children—that’s completely understandable,” Nicholl said. “But there has to be a balance. The country needs to see him, get to know him while he’s still young and relatable. You can’t keep him under lock and key and then suddenly present an 18-year-old stranger as the future monarch.”

People close to William insist George is being gently prepared. Friends and aides say the prince is already aware, in broad strokes, of what his life will involve one day, even if the heavier conversations are still years away. Apparently he “loves his father” and hopes William is around for a very long time, but when the moment comes, those who know George best believe he’ll be ready.

For now, the Waleses seem happy to keep the world at arm’s length. Whether that changes as George moves into his teenage years remains to be seen—but the debate about how much royal children should be seen (and when) clearly isn’t going away anytime soon.