Prince William has spoken passionately about his determination to bring Prince George and Princess Charlotte up as part of a “normal family” and to do all he can to make sure they’re showered with love.
Talking to the BBC ahead of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth‘s 90th birthday tomorrow, April 21, the future monarch addressed criticisms that he was work-shy, insisting he’s actually willing and eager to take on more royal responsibilities as soon as he’s given them.
But while commitment to serve Britain is not something the 33-year-old prince is lacking, he did also point out that his role as a father is one that is equally important.
“I’m concentrating very much on my role as a father,” he told interviewer Nicholas Witchell. “I’m a new father, and I take my duties and my responsibilities to my family very seriously,” he added.
“I want to bring my children up as good people with the idea of service and duty to others as very important. But if I can’t give my time to my children as well, I worry about their future,” he said.
He spoke about his enjoyment of working as part of the air ambulance rescue team, but insisted that “when the Queen decides she’s going to hand down more responsibilities, I’ll be the first person to accept them.”
Kate Middleton‘s husband also revealed that he has the full support of all senior royals when it comes to the way he’s decided to split his time, between royal duty, his family and his helicopter work.
“My grandmother and my father are 150 percent supportive behind everything that I’m doing — and Harry and Catherine,” he added. “They very much understand whilst my grandmother is still extremely active at the helm of the royal family as the monarch [and] my father is incredibly busy with his charitable activities and other responsibilities, there’s the time now and the space to explore other means of doing a worthwhile job.”
But while William remains very aware of the duties that lie ahead for him, he revealed he sees it as part of his role to protect his son, Prince George, whose adorable new family portrait was released yesterday, from all knowledge of responsibility for now.
“As far as we’re concerned, within our family unit we are a normal family,” he told the outlet. “I love my children the same way any father does, and I hope George loves me the same way any son does to his father, so we are very normal in that sense,” he continued.
“There’ll be a time and a place to bring George up and understand how he fits in the world. But right now, it’s just a case of keeping a secure, stable environment around him and showing him as much love as I can as a father.”
