It is a family portrait like so many; a father gathering his children for a snap while enjoying the beach. Yet the new portrait taken by Kate Middleton of Prince William with Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis reveals so much into an extraordinary family at a difficult time. (See the photo here.)
The Prince and Princess of Wales are said to have prioritized their children more than ever over the last few months as Kate Middleton undergoes treatment for cancer. Prince William has been carefully balancing his royal duties with fatherhood, while supporting his wife, who has spent much of the last six months out of the public eye. Yet, over the weekend, the couple gave a few deeply personal insights into how life has been for the family of five as they face the challenges of Kate’s illness.
In a touching statement released on Friday night, the Princess of Wales detailed the “joy” she has found “engaging with school life, spending personal time on the things that give her energy and positivity, and starting to do a little work from home.” Sources went on to tell The Telegraph that Kate had particularly been enjoying spending time “in nature,” something she has long said is important to her for life beyond her royal duties. Unveiling her Back to Nature garden at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2019, the mother-of-three said, “In recent years I have focused much of my work on the early years, and how instrumental they are for outcomes later in life. I believe that spending time outdoors when we are young can play a role in laying the foundations for children to become happy, healthy adults.”
The photograph of Prince William with Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, offers insight into that time. The Prince of Wales can be seen with his arms around his three children in a protective stance, while they all gaze out onto the beach in Norfolk, believed to not be far from the couple’s Amner Hall home. It is perhaps little surprise the family have been enjoying days out at the beach while spending down time together. One can imagine the group clambering up the sand dunes to take in the view, Prince Louis dashing ahead while Prince George and Princess Charlotte race up the bank side-by-side.
Norfolk has been called the couple’s “happy place” so its no wonder they have been spending time there while Kate recovers. A source previously said the couple planned eventually to make the Norfolk property their primary residence “after the children’s school years,” telling The Times back in 2019 that the couple “absolutely love it up there—it’s their happy place,” adding: “The reality is they are quite confined in what they can do in London…The kids can’t go into the park and kick a football with friends. Their plan is to be there for the next ten to 15 years and then move to Anmer, which is so special to them.”
The couple have previously shared a glimpse into the life in Norfolk by releasing a 39-second clip of their family on the day of their 10th wedding anniversary. It showed them playing on the sand dunes at the beach, as well as spending time in the garden of Anmer Hall.
