Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte are set to live their lives as so-called ‘spares’ to their brother and future king, Prince George – but thanks to Princess Kate and Prince William’s modern parenting, and two somewhat unlikely royal role models, they don’t need to exist in his shadow…
Kate Middleton and Prince William are “acutely aware of the problems” for Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as they grow up as so-called ‘spares’ to their elder brother and future King, Prince george.
That’s according to a royal expert, who has heaped praise on the Prince and Princess of Wales’s modern parenting approach. Royal expert and former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond points out that, as the couple strive to help their younger children enjoy as normal lives as possible, they will want to keep their options open while reducing the problems they may face in trying to carve out a royal life of their own, without being in the shadow of the heir to the throne, George.
Jennie remarks that, among the many benefits of the Prince and Princess of Wales ‘ preference for gentle parenting – directed by what Kate has learned from her studies of early years education – it is clear that the couple will be striving to normalise their younger children’s lives with the hope that they never feel like working as royals is their only option.
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Jennie said: “William and Kate must be acutely aware of the problems for a royal spare. They have already shown that they have a different and modern attitude to bringing up royal children and I’m sure they will do everything to make Charlotte and Louis feel every bit as special, loved and valued as George. I imagine they will encourage Louis to explore life outside the royal fold… it could be the military, but it could also be working in the charity world or whatever he finds appealing after his education is finished. I’m sure they will encourage him to go to University, which they both enjoyed and where, of course, they found love.
“And from there they will want him to find a life that is meaningful to him as well as appropriate for the son of a future King. They will try to ensure that he feels he is living a life of value, irrespective of his place in the line of succession and that will probably involve service of some kind as they have emphasised from the start that they want their children to understand that having empathy with others is not only a kindness, but is rewarding as well.”
The infamous term ‘spare to the heir’ has been thrust back into the spotlight, with Prince Harry alleging in his bombshell memoir that his father, King Charles, remarked to Princess Diana at Harry’s birth: “Wonderful! Now you’ve given me an heir and a spare – my work is done.”
The phrase, which has historical precedence with figures like King George VI, has become particularly associated with Harry since his explosive memoir, ‘Spare’. Being the ‘spare’ is often fraught with uncertainty as Royals grapple with their identity away from the throne’s direct line.
But, as OK! reports, the young royals, Charlotte and Louis, should look to a somewhat unlikely pair on how to conduct themselves as ‘spares’ – or even “spares to the spare”.
Jennie pointed to the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince Edward and Sophie, and claims they are setting a stellar example for the junior royals with their successful roles within the Royal Family. They have rapidly become one of the Royal Family’s greatest assets and so it proved again on April 8 this year when the Duke and Duchess stepped up to the plate and carried out a historic ceremony on behalf of King Charles.
But as Prince Edward, 60, and Sophie, 59, watched French soldiers parade in the Buckingham Palace forecourt to mark 120 years of friendly relations between the two countries the couple must have reflected that their rise has been many years in the making. Their ascension, Jennie noted, is also setting the perfect example for two young royals of how to make a success of being the ‘spare’ to the throne.
As they truly come into their own and continue to see the good work they do recognised, the pair “thoroughly deserve the recognition they are now getting”. Jennie said: “They have always been quietly devoted to their various causes, but their work has been overshadowed by other royals. I suppose every cloud has a silver lining… and as the King calls on them to take a more prominent role, Edward and Sophie are showing they are very much up to the task. They are also serving as excellent role models to their great nephews and niece – showing that you can be a ‘spare’ or even a ‘spare to the spare’ and make a real success of working as a valued member of the Royal Family.”
In the 13 months since Edward and Sophie were appointed with their new titles, their personal popularity and regard within Royal circles has markedly improved. They’re frequently asked to step in for the King at key events while he prioritises his recovery.
Prince Edward is heavily involved in the arts and champions his late father’s work via the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme. Sophie fights tirelessly for gender-equality, generating discussion around female genital mutilation (FGM) and preventative measures against avoidable blindness.
When unoccupied with their Royal duties, Edward and Sophie live at Bagshot Park near the Windsor Estate with their two children – Lady Louise Windsor, 20, and James, Earl of Wessex, 16, – when they’re not busy studying at university or school.
