Kate Middleton’s Parenting Style Revisited Among Baby No. 4 Rumors 

She has a busy life as a senior member of the royal family, but that doesn’t mean Kate Middleton doesn’t devote plenty of time to her children.

The Duchess of Cambridge has long been known for trying to do things her way and along with Prince William, letting their three children live as normal an existence as possible, even if it gets them in trouble. A big part of doing that, however, means following certain guidelines—even if they are ones that clash with royal traditions and protocol.

One of the ways it’s been reported she ensures this has been “keeping stuffy royal protocol” out of the family’s home in Kensington Palace, something that a source claimed to Radar Online in 2017 would “horrify” the Queen.

“It would absolutely horrify Elizabeth,” the source said at the time. “But Kate insists the kids should be allowed to be normal children. Never in royal history have the children in direct line to the throne been raised in such a modern way.”

One way she and her husband make sure their kids, especially George, have a normal existence is by keeping the truth about his future job and title a secret, something that has been criticized, but it’s a big deal for them considering how learning at a young age about his title and future changed Prince William’s life.

In addition, the couple is also concerned about maintaining their children’s privacy as well. They recently did this by placing new hedges along their property at Kensington Palace, which cost an estimated £15,000.

Middleton’s hands-on approach is being reexamined as rumors continue to swirl about her potentially having a fourth child—something it’s also been recently said she wants so she can get out of some of her royal duties and keep her focus entirely on being a mom.

“Not only does she love family life in Norfolk, to be honest, it gives her an excuse to not be at the forefront of royal duties for a bit longer, which I don’t think she enjoys,” royal expert Phil Dampier said at the time. “I think Kate’s been interacting with the public and doing very well recently, but from what I’m told she’d rather be at home with the children.”