Princess Kate faces a parenting challenge many of us know well—proving even royals aren’t immune to the everyday struggles of raising kids.
During a school visit in Liverpool, Prince William shared that his children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis—often respond with “absolutely nothing at all” when asked about their school day.
The Princess of Wales, who recently finished chemotherapy treatment and put out a touching and beautiful video message about her recovery and the things that matter most to her, still finds time to talk to her kids after school. Since entering public life and celebrating their 14th wedding anniversary on April 29, Princess Catherine has been active in her charity work, especially advocating for children’s mental health awareness in the early years.
Just ordinary parents . . . in some ways
The royal couple are definitely not immune to parenting struggles, even if social media can sometimes make them appear flawless and holding it all together. After a chance meeting at St Andrews University and a whirlwind romance, the royal wedding at Westminster Abbey may have appeared like a fairytale, but parenting can be far from it. Becoming the Duchess of Cambridge didn’t suddenly make Kate the mum of the century.
The royal children have Michael and Carole Middleton as doting grandparents on their mum’s side, who have remained mostly out of the spotlight. Meanwhile, on the other side, King Charles, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (now Duchess of Sussex) are front and centre in the limelight.
Although they may have nanny support, Queen Elizabeth II’s great-grandchildren are like all other young people—they have struggles that require their parents to strategise about.
Here are some practical approaches and strategies to encourage a great chat with the kids after school.
1. Be specific
School is a whirlwind of activities, emotions and interactions. Often, when children say “nothing happened”, it’s because they don’t know where to start. Help them sift through the noise by focusing on the highs and lows of the day.
Instead of a general “How was school?”, try:
- “What was the best part of your day today?”
- “Was there a moment that made you smile?”
- “Did anything frustrate you today?”
- “What’s something that felt hard or confusing?”
These specific prompts give children a clear direction and make it easier for them to recall and reflect. Over time, this habit helps children develop emotional awareness, a key focus of early childhood education and mental health development—topics even the Royal Foundation champions through initiatives supported by Princess Kate and Prince William.
2. Ask open-ended questions
Young children, including those in the royal family, are still developing communication skills. Abstract or broad questions can be overwhelming. Instead, ask questions that paint a timeline or help them revisit specific events of the day.
Try these:
- “What game did you play at recess?”
- “What did you do in class after morning tea?”
- “Who did you sit next to during lunch?”
- “Did your teacher say anything interesting today?”
Questions like these help your child piece together their day in manageable segments, building storytelling and recall skills.
3. Lead by example
Children love to mimic. One of the most effective ways to encourage sharing is by going first. Talk about your own day—what you ate, who you saw, what made you laugh or something that annoyed you. This creates a safe, reciprocal atmosphere where your child doesn’t feel put on the spot.
For example:
- “You know what made me smile today? A dog on the street sneezed and scared itself!”
- “I had a meeting that didn’t go as planned—have you ever had a moment like that at school?”
This builds connection and makes it easier for children to chime in with their own stories—just like Kate Middleton might share small joys or frustrations from her royal duties at Kensington Palace with Prince George or Princess Charlotte.
4. Choose the right moment
Timing and environment matter. Asking your child to unpack their day the moment they step through the door might not be ideal—they may be hungry, tired or overwhelmed. Try to find a calm moment later in the day.
Some ideas:
- While walking the dog or during a drive, movement often helps the conversation flow.
- During bath time or while preparing dinner together.
- At bedtime, when your child is relaxed and reflective.
Avoid distractions—put away your phone and give your full attention. This small gesture signals that what they’re saying is important.
5. Play games to spark stories
Turn after-school chats into a game. You could try:
- Two truths and a lie: Your child tells you two real things that happened and one made-up one. You guess which one is false.
- The story dice: Roll a dice where each number corresponds to a prompt: Something funny, something hard, something new, something you learned, etc.
This approach is fun and low-pressure, making it easier for children to share without feeling like they’re being interrogated.
6. Create daily rituals
Consistency helps children feel secure. Establish a predictable rhythm—perhaps every evening over dinner, you each share your “rose, thorn and bud” (something good, something hard and something you’re looking forward to).
You could also keep a shared “memory journal” where your child writes or draws a small memory from the day. It becomes a special keepsake—and a wonderful bonding tool.
7. Be patient and respect silence
Sometimes, your child may genuinely not want to talk. Respecting that silence shows trust and gives them space to decompress. It’s okay if they don’t share every detail, every day. Stay consistent with your interest and let them know you’re always ready to listen.
Even Prince William, who navigates intense media attention and family life in the public eye, openly admits that parenting doesn’t always go smoothly. His honesty reminds us that communication with children takes patience and practice, no matter your title—whether you’re a duchess or a school mum.
8. Use visual prompts
Some children respond better to visual cues than verbal questions. Consider using a “feelings chart” or daily mood tracker. Let them point to an emoji or colour that shows how they felt during the day. Then gently explore why.
9. Limit the pressure
Take the pressure off. If every after-school pickup becomes a probing Q&A, your child may begin to dread it. Keep the tone light, warm and curious—more like a chat than a report.
Humour helps. Share a silly story, make a joke or sing a song. Laughter builds connection. It’s a parenting approach that even high-profile families, like the one at Buckingham Palace, can benefit from.
10. Use creative tools like drawing or role-play
Not every child expresses themselves easily through words—some are visual or kinaesthetic communicators. Encourage them to draw a scene from their day, use toys to “act out” what happened or write a short comic strip together.
You might say:
- “Can you draw me a picture of something that happened today?”
- “Let’s play school—I’ll be the student, you be the teacher. What do I need to learn?”
This taps into their creativity and bypasses the pressure of direct questioning.
Breakthroughs in connection
While the British royal family might seem worlds apart from your own, parenting challenges are a universal experience. Using these tips and strategies as gateways into your child’s world, you can transform everyday struggles into powerful opportunities for deeper connection and understanding.
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