Inside Kate Middleton, Prince William's Modern Approach To Raising Prince George: ‘Open Communication Is Key’

Kate Middleton and Prince William always make sure that there is open communication between them and Prince George.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge "are strict but fair" when it comes to raising Prince George, the third in line to the throne. Prince William and Middleton's son was already informed on his 7th birthday that he will be king. Last week, Prince George celebrated his 8th birthday.

"The royals are renowned for being ‘stiff upper lip,’ but William and Kate have a more modern approach to parenting and are moving away from that mentality," an unnamed source told Us Weekly. "Open communication is key for them. … [But they] set boundaries and have rules in place."

The future king and queen consort also make sure that their kids would not be afraid "to express their emotions and ask questions to enable them to grow up as healthy adults."

Prince George is third in line to the British throne, after his grandfather Prince Charles and dad Prince William. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge want him to have a "normal life" and "don’t want him to grow up too quickly," the source added. The royal couple extends the normalcy for their son beyond their home and into his school.

"He’s not called Prince George at school and is simply known as George, he mixes with children his own age," the insider added. "Kate and William don’t shower him with expensive gifts nor do they over spoil him. … George makes his bed every morning. … All the children have impeccable manners and always say please and thank you."

In an excerpt from Robert Lacey's "Battle of Brothers," the royal historian shared that the royal couple already told their son that he will be king one day on his birthday last year. However, there was no specific information on how they revealed the news to him. And just like what Us Weekly's source said, Lacey claimed that Prince William only wants a normal life for his son.

"William has not revealed to the world how and when he broke the big news to his son. Maybe one day George will tell us the story himself. But sometime around the boy's seventh birthday in the summer of 2020, it is thought that his parents went into more detail about what the little prince's life of future royal 'service and duty' would particularly involve," Lacey wrote.

"William's aim as a father, the prince stressed, was to give his son 'a normal family upbringing,' enabling the monarchy 'to stay relevant and keep up with modern times.'"