Kate Middleton has spoken about her ‘very happy childhood’ and growing up with a ‘strong’ family.
The Duchess of Cambridge, 38, told several personal stories while appearing as a guest on Giovanna Fletcher’s Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast.
During the tell-all chat she praised her parents Carole, 65, and Michael, 70, for their ‘huge dedication’ in raising her and her two siblings, Pippa, 36, and James, 32.
The Duchess said: ‘I had a very happy childhood. It was great fun and I’m very lucky I come from a very strong family. My parents were hugely dedicated.
Kate Middleton, 38, has spoken candidly about her ‘very happy childhood’ growing up with a ‘strong’ family and how this has impacted the way she parents (pictured with Prince William and their children L-R Louis, Charlotte and George)
‘I really appreciate now as a parent how much they sacrificed for us. They came to every sports match, they’d be the ones on the side line shouting.’
Reflection on how she was raised, and how this has impacted the way she wants to parent, the Duchess said it was the small things which she remembers the most.
She said: ‘But what resonates the most is the simple things. I see that now with my own children. Life now is so busy and distracting and sometimes simple things like watching a fire on a really rainy day provides such enjoyment.
During the tell-all chat she praised her parents Carole, 65, and Michael, 70, for their ‘huge dedication’ in raising her and her two siblings, Pippa, 36, and James, 32 (pictured together)
Reflection on how she was raised, and how this has impacted the way she wants to parent, the Duchess said it was the small things which she remembers the most. Pictured: Kate, aged three, on holiday in the Lake District (left) and aged five in the UK (right)
‘I remember that from my childhood, the simple things, like going for a walk together, I try to do this with my children.
‘It totally strips away complications and pressures. I think those experiences mean so much to children and the world they’re in which is a real adventure at that age.’
When asked what parts of her childhood she wanted to give to Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte, she spoke poignantly about a picture of her four-year-old daughter.
The Duchess of Cambridge also confessed to struggling with ‘mummy guilt’ and said she tried ‘hypnobirthing’ when pregnant during her chat with Giovanna (pictured together)
She said: ‘I’ve got this one photo of Charlotte smelling a bluebell, and really for me, it’s moments like that mean so much to me as a parent.
‘And I try every day to put moments like that in, even if they’re small or even if I don’t have time – but that in an ideal world (that) is what I would like to do.’
She continued: ‘From my experience [as a mother] coupled with what I know now [from working in early years], there’s few things – one is the quality of relationships, the moments spent with people around you.
The Duchess of Cambridge is the eldest of three children. Her brother James recently became engaged to French financier Alizee Thevenet (pictured together)
Duchess of Cambridge following her sister Pippa Middleton during her wedding ceremony at St Mark’s Church in Englefield, London, in 2017
‘I remember that from childhood, my amazing granny devoted so much time to us. Playing, doing arts and crafts, cooking, gardening. I try and incorporate that into experiences I give my children now. Also environments they split their time in – having a happy home a safe environment.’
The Duchess of Cambridge is the eldest of three children. Her sister Pippa, 36, is married to James Matthews and has one son, Arthur.
While her brother James, 32, recently became engaged to his French financier girlfriend Alizee Thevenet.