2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Gemma Strong)
Prince William and Princess Kate 's world was rocked this year following her cancer diagnosis . The mother-of-three stepped back from royal life as she battled the disease and in September shared the happy news that she had completed her preventative chemotherapy treatment . During that difficult time, the couple focused on Kate's recovery and caring for their young children, Prince George , Princess Charlotte , and Prince Louis .
And they were supported by Kate's loving parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, who stepped in to help bring stability to the family home. Royal expert Katie Nicholl previously told OK : "Having Kate's family so intrinsically linked with them is key. The Middletons bring a great dose of normality and stability to those children's lives.
They're there on the bucket and spade holidays, they're there for the parties and they're there to step in when William and Kate need them. They really are just loving, normal, down-to-earth grandparents ." Carole and Michael's relatable role was clear in the highly-personal video released by Kate to announce the end of her treatment; the Wales family could be seen sitting around a kitchen table with the Middletons, happily playing a card game together .
And it's clear that Carole and Michael have also influenced William and Kate's approach to parenting . "The way William and Kate are bringing up their children is very much based on the Middleton model – that small family unit of three kids, the same as with Kate and her siblings . They don't live lavishly, but they do live very comfortably," Katie added.
Keeping their children grounded also reportedly involves them helping out with household chores and - with no live-in staff at Adelaide Cottage - all three are "expected to muck in". "They absolutely do menial tasks," Katie shared. “They are far more ordinary than many might imagine – the kids even have to do chores in return for their pocket money .
It's about them wanting to have a normal, happy, ordinary family home and lifestyle which, at Adelaide Cottage, they are really achieving. "Their approach from day one has been different. The children understand their place in the line of succession and George knows he will one day be King , but William and Kate cushion all of that with fun, family and a wealth of experiences.
" Princess Kate previously spoke about her own childhood while appearing as a guest on Giovanna Fletcher's Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast. "I had a very happy childhood. It was great fun and I'm very lucky I come from a very strong family.
My parents were hugely dedicated," she revealed. "I really appreciate now as a parent how much they sacrificed for us. They came to every sports match, they'd be the ones on the side line shouting, and we'd always have our family holidays together.
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