Good news today for dads everywhere: You’re not alone in finding being a parent challenging.
The Duke of Cambridge has recently opened up about the struggles of fatherhood.
Although Prince William is second in line to the throne and the public face of a national institution that is centuries old – a pressurised job if there ever was one – the 34-year-old father of two finds the stresses of being a parent difficult.
Appearing on Talk Vietnam to discuss the preservation of the country’s rich abundance of wildlife, the conversation instead turned to the Duke’s family life.
Prince William said:
There’s wonderful highs and wonderful lows. It’s been quite a change for me personally.
The Duke claimed his wife and the mother of his two children, Kate, had been a huge support in his journey into fatherhood:
I’m very lucky in the support I have from Catherine, she’s an amazing mother and a fantastic wife.
But Will admitted parenthood has been hard, saying:
I’ve struggled at times. The alteration from being a single independent man to going into marriage and then having children is life-changing.
The Duke and Duchess are the parents to Prince George, 3, and Princess Charlotte, 1.
I adore my children very much and I’ve learnt a lot about myself and about family just from having my own children.
George is a right little rascal sometimes, he keeps me on my toes but he’s a sweet boy.
The bond between father and son is evident in the Royal Family’s photographs.
Prince William also asserted the joys of being dad to a little girl:
And Charlotte, bearing in mind I haven’t had a sister so having a daughter is a very different dynamic. So I’m learning about having a daughter, having a girl in the family.
Even with the delightful, sheltered upbringing the young Prince and Princess are sure to enjoy, the Duke still worries about their futures, as any parent would.
He said:
I worry about the future more. When you have something or someone in your life to give the future to I think it focuses the mind more about what you’re giving them and are you happy that you’ve done all you can to leave it in a good state.
Despite the Royal Family’s immense wealth, Prince William remains determined to bring his children up understanding the value of a more simple life.
He concluded:
I would like them to grow up with more simple aspirations. I think there’s a lot of huge aspirations and people living with an enormous amount of stuff that they don’t necessarily need.
The materialism of the world I find quite tricky sometimes. I would like George and Charlotte to grow up being a little bit more simple in their approach and their outlook and just looking after those around them and treating others as they would like to be treated themselves.
Unsurprisingly, the transition into fatherhood has affected the future King of England in the most profound way.
It’s good to hear a powerful man speak out about his insecurities, hopes and dreams without shame, setting a good example for other fathers and condemning the out-dated idea that father-figures must be unwavering and stoic.
A former emo kid who talks too much about 8Chan meme culture, the Kardashian Klan, and how her smartphone is probably killing her. Francesca is a Cardiff University Journalism Masters grad who has done words for BBC, ELLE, The Debrief, DAZED, an art magazine you’ve never heard of and a feminist zine which never went to print.