Prince William enjoys 'normal lifestyle' thanks to Kate Middleton, ex-royal butler says
Prince William enjoys 'normal lifestyle' thanks to Kate Middleton, ex-royal butler says
Jasmine Carey & Chiara FiorilloMon, September 7, 2026 at 10:45 AM UTC
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Prince William has some normality in his life -Credit:Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Prince William may be destined for the throne, but it appears that much of his daily existence remains refreshingly down-to-earth.
The Prince of Wales enjoys aspects of life remarkably similar to ordinary people, from casual family outings to the everyday challenges of raising children and private moments away from the spotlight. During his childhood, the late Princess Diana was instrumental in fostering his appreciation for everyday experiences, making efforts to provide her sons William and Harry with normal activities beyond Palace life. These included visits to amusement parks and McDonald's.
Today, it appears others in William's circle continue to provide him with that same sense of normality. Chief among them is Kate Middleton's family, with whom William has maintained a particularly strong connection. It comes as William and Kate were dealt a "crushing blow" following Prince Harry's and Meghan Markle's return to Britain.
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This dynamic was something Grant Harrold, a former royal butler who served between 2004 and 2011, witnessed firsthand during his time at the palaces and has continued to observe since. Speaking to Smooth Spins Casino, Grant explained that Catherine's family provides William with the opportunity to enjoy "a wonderful normal lifestyle."
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He said, "Pippa and the wider Middleton family are really good for William, as they've offered this whole other side of family life. While he was brought up royal, his mother Diana did try to bring him up in as much of normality as possible.
The Prince of Wales with his wife, Catherine -Credit:Jeff J Mitchell, Getty Images
"That's something that the Middleton family still offers him. We know he is the future monarch, but he gets a wonderful normal lifestyle when he's with Kate's family."
William rarely discusses his in-laws publicly, though he's understood to have maintained a tight relationship with them since the earliest days of his romance with Princess Catherine more than 20 years ago.
Through the years, this strong connection has been visible to onlookers and captured by cameras at occasions like Royal Ascot and other major royal gatherings the Middletons receive invitations to. Catherine's parents Michael and Carole Middleton are thought to hold their son-in-law in equally high regard.
William is close with the Middletons -Credit:Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Speaking in 2010 after news of Catherine and William's engagement broke, Michael told the press, "We all think he's wonderful and we are extremely fond of him."
Meanwhile, former friend of the Duchess of Sussex, brand expert and royal commentator Nick Ede, has suggested that after the Sussexes' return to the UK, William and Catherine are expected to exercise extreme caution, as they aim to shield their family from additional conjecture surrounding the strained relationship between the brothers. He noted the Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to meticulously handle any engagement with Harry and Meghan.
Discussing Harry and Meghan's return with Cafe Casino, Nick said, "William and Catherine are likely to be extremely cautious. They will want to protect the stability of their own family and avoid being drawn into another cycle of speculation, private conversations becoming public and every interaction being analyzed."
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
