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Kate Middleton is devoted to the crown, but she also adheres to her personal principles, prioritizing her children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Raised in a close-knit family, biographer Robert Jobson notes in his new book, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, that Kate "knows her own mind and set some essential life rules when she joined 'The Firm.'" In early 2015, while pregnant with Charlotte, Kate communicated her terms to Queen Elizabeth and the future King Charles through Prince William, according to Jobson.
Prince William informed his grandmother and father that Kate "wanted space to grow into her role and needed more time to adjust to the peculiarities of royal life," Jobson writes in the book published on August 6. "From the beginning, she made it clear that she would not be confined to specific duties and insisted on taking her full maternity leave, away from the media and public eye."
Jobson adds, "Her priority, she emphasized, would always be her family." Alongside prioritizing her children, Kate is also focused on her health as she continues her treatment for cancer, a diagnosis she announced in March.
"She is taking things slowly and on her terms," Jobson told PEOPLE about Princess Kate's return to public duties this summer, including appearances at Trooping the Colour in June and Wimbledon in July. "She isn't driven by media opportunities. They are prioritizing health and recovery."
This summer, Jobson mentioned that the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their children, will retreat to their country home, Anmer Hall. "They escape there for privacy," he said. "They can ride bikes with the children without being disturbed. That is their priority."
Jobson also anticipated their brief visit to Balmoral Castle in Scotland, the royal family's traditional August retreat. "Those traditions may shift — it will be more for the King and Queen and other family members. William has more flexibility. They will visit, but not for extended periods like in the past with the late Queen."
Jobson highlighted that Kate and Prince William "are living day-to-day because the future is uncertain." Kate's cancer diagnosis earlier this year "illustrates the unpredictability of life. Both the Prince and Princess of Wales are acutely aware of this and are spending as much time as possible with their children while they can. One day, they might not have that freedom — especially William."
The couple's biggest challenge, Jobson said, "is maintaining family life while preparing George for his future role without overwhelming him or Charlotte. It's a delicate balance."
Fiercely prioritizing her children, Kate stands firm on her family-first beliefs. Jobson told Hello! that standing up for herself in the royal world "takes a lot of courage. She knows she has one chance at this, and her young children come first. This is a time she won't get back."
Coming from a different background, Kate values family time, unlike the aristocratic setting where children are seen briefly each day. The Prince and Princess of Wales are raising George, Charlotte, and Louis with a different approach, and it shows. "Those children look pretty happy with life," a palace insider said. "A lot of it is the stabilizing normality Kate brings from her upbringing, which William absolutely loves."
