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The Differing Parenting Styles Of Kate Middleton And Meghan Markle

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Every mother has her own particular way of parenting, regardless of who she is. Be it a working mom or a royal mom, every mother hopes to raise her children in the best way possible. The women who married everyone’s favorite English princes, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, are quite different, which means their approaches to motherhood are just as different. Here are some of the ways the two deviate despite both being royal.

Public Appearances

Marrying Prince William means that Kate Middleton has to take on many public appearances, about 2000 per year! While Kate and Will try to keep their kids’ lives as private as possible, they do still make quite a bit of public appearances.

Public Appearances
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Public Appearances

Rarely Seen

Meghan Markle was very open about the negativity from the public she experienced when joining the royal family. She has shared that she wants to keep her baby Archie away from that kind of negativity, and she and Harry have said that they had “no other option” but stay away from the spotlight so they could keep their son away from “intense scrutiny.”

Rarely Seen

Rarely Seen

Public Christenings

All of Kate Middleton and William’s kids were christened while wearing a replica of Queen Victoria’s christening gown. All of their children were christened by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby. The Queen was present at the christenings of George and Charlotte.

Public Christenings

Public Christenings

Private Christening

Meghan and Harry decided to have their baby’s christening at a private chapel at Windsor Castle with just 25 guests in attendance. The Queen did not attend the ceremony but Kate Middleton and Prince William were there. Baby Archie was also christened by The Archbishop of Canterbury.

Private Christening

Private Christening

Line Of Succession

Next in line for the throne is Queen Elizabeth’s son Prince Charles. Following him is his son, Prince William. After him come his children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis respectively. It is likely that Prince William will become king one day.

Line Of Succession

Line Of Succession

Unlikely King

While Prince Harry is sixth in line to the throne, it seems highly unlikely that he will become king. His son, Master Archie Harrison, follows him and is seventh in line to the throne. Harry and Meghan chose not to give him a royal title, and goes by “Master” instead.

Unlikely King

Unlikely King

Fully British

Both Kate Middleton, who was born in Berkshire, England, and Prince William, who was born in London are fully British. Middleton’s family has ties to British aristocracy going back until 1926. Their three children all have deep English roots.

Fully British

Fully British

British American

Baby Archie’s father is fully British, but his mother Meghan was born in Los Angeles. She is also of African American descent. That means that Archie is multi-racial as well, in addition to being both an American and British citizen.

British American

British American

A Normal Childhood

Kate has expressed that she had a wonderful childhood and wants her children to experience a “normal” childhood as much as possible. Cai Graham, a parenting expert, has said: “Admittedly, Kate has learned the importance to showing her children a ‘normal life’, as Diana did so very well, in queuing in theme parks or having the occasional trip to McDonald’s!”

A Normal Childhood

A Normal Childhood

Private Citizen

When Harry and Meghan knew they were expecting, they began to think about how they wanted to raise their child. Thinking of all the negative press both Meghan and Harry’s late mother Princess Diana experienced, they decided to forgo giving their baby a royal title and raise him as a private citizen. They hope that he can have a normal upbringing.

Private Citizen

Private Citizen

Aware Of Privilege

In an interview withHuffington Post,Kate has shared: “Personally, becoming a mother has been such a rewarding and wonderful experience. However, at times it has also been a huge challenge, even for me who has support at home that most mothers do not. Nothing can really prepare you for the sheer overwhelming experience of what it means to become a mother.”

Aware Of Privilege

Aware Of Privilege

Mental Health Struggles

In a candid interview withToday,Meghan shared her struggles with her mental health during her early days of motherhood. She said: “Look, any woman, especially when they’re pregnant– you’re really vulnerable. So that was made really challenging. And then, you have a newborn, you know? It’s really a lot.”

Mental Health Struggles

Mental Health Struggles

Kids’ Brands Clothing

Prince William and Kate’s children make frequent public appearances, and a lot of emphasis is placed on their outfits. Kate chooses classic brands like Rachel Riley, Amaia Kids, Papouelli, and Pepa & Co. Often, the clothes that they are seen in sell out within minutes. London-based consulting firm Brand Finance has estimated that the two eldest royal children contributed $7.7 billion to the UK economy.

Kids' Brands Clothing

Kids’ Brands Clothing

Meghan Opts For H&M

While on a trip to South Africa, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex brought their baby Archie along. The 5 month old was photographed wearing H&M overalls that cost $20, and quickly sold out of stores. While visiting a woman’s shelter in Cape Town, Markle brought clothes that Archie had outgrown to donate.

Meghan Opts For H&M

Meghan Opts For H&M

Famous Nanny

Kate and William hired Maria Teresa Turrion when Prince George was about six months old and she has been the children’s nanny ever since. She graduated from the Norland College, which is known for its exceptional child-rearing classes. She is typically seen sending off the children to and from school and helps out during royal weddings as well.

Famous Nanny

Famous Nanny

Private Nanny

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have also hired a nanny, saying that she has been “a blessing” while they traveled around the globe. They have not revealed her identity and Markle strives to keep her privacy protected.

Private Nanny

Private Nanny

Gardening And Art

In an interview on podcast Happy Mum, Happy Baby, Kate shared: “I had an amazing Granny who devoted a lot of time to us– playing with us, doing arts and crafts, and going to the greenhouse to do gardening, and cooking with us. I try and incorporate a lot of the experiences that she gave us at the time into the experiences that I give my children now.”

Gardening And Art

Gardening And Art

Cooking Together

Meghan’s close friends have shared that she loves cooking and is a very engaged and hands-on mother. Her friend Daniel Martin told Gayle King: “I’m sure the baby’s going to be raised clean and green. She loves to cook, eating organic whenever she can. I totally see her marking her own food. Totally!”

Cooking Together

Cooking Together

Silver Cross Balmoral Pram

Kate Middleton chose a $3,999 Silver Cross Balmoral Pram for Princess Charlotte. It has been described as the “Rolls Royce” of prams and has been used by the royal family for more than a century. Even the Queen herself was pushed around in one of these when she was a baby.

Silver Cross Balmoral Pram

Silver Cross Balmoral Pram

Bugaboo Fox

Meghan chose to go a different route, and chose to use a $1500 Bugaboo Fox carriage which was gifted to the couple by a friend when they were still expecting. The carriage is very practical, and also also used by Kate’s sister Pippa Middleton for her baby.

Bugaboo Fox

Bugaboo Fox

Close With Grandparents

Kate is close with her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton. They are frequently seen around the royal family and they will often watch the children when Kate and William have official engagements. Kate is the oldest child of three.

Close With Grandparents

Close With Grandparents

Living Near Mom

After Meghan and Harry stepped down as royals, they announced that they would be splitting their time between England and the United States. In 2020 they began to look for a home in Los Angeles, where Markle’s mother lives, so they could spend more time with her.

Living Near Mom

Living Near Mom

Engagement Rings

Prince William proposed to Kate with the ring that belonged to his late mother, Princess Diana. The 12-carat ring is valued at $400,000 and features an oval blue sapphire and is surrounded by solitaire diamonds. Prince Harry proposed to Meghan with a ring that featured two diamonds from Princess Diana’s collection along with a center stone from Bostwana, where the two fell in love. Her sing is valued at $350,000.

Engagement Rings

Engagement Rings

Prepping For The Big Day

Leading up to her wedding day, Markle experienced very harsh treatment from British tabloids. She was labelled as an American actress who was not suitable to marry into the British royal family. Two years after their wedding, the couple announced that they were stepping down as senior royals.

Prepping For The Big Day

Prepping For The Big Day

Waving To The Crowds

Following the ceremony, duchesses who have joined the royal family are expected to demonstrate a perfect regal wave to the crowds standing by the carriage ride. Kate stayed in form, with her fingers close together, while Meghan chose a more relaxed approach with spaced out fingers.

Waving To The Crowds

Waving To The Crowds

Prince Charles’ Outfits

William and Harry’s father, Prince Charles, chose very different outfits for the two royal weddings. For Prince William’s wedding, he wore his royal uniform with all of its regalia. While attending Harry’s wedding, he opted for a simple grey suit. His wife Camilla Parker chose similar outfits of light pink dresses and hats.

Prince Charles' Outfits

Prince Charles’ Outfits

Walking Down The Aisle

While walking down the aisle, Kate was accompanied by her father Michael Middleton. Unfortunately, Meghan’s father was experience health issues and was not able to travel to London for her wedding. She walked down the aisle solo before Prince Charles met her halfway.

Walking Down The Aisle

Walking Down The Aisle

Their Reception Dresses

Following the royal weddings, Prince Charles hosted a wedding reception for both of his sons’ big days. Kate chose a classic Alexander McQueen dress to wear to the reception. Meghan opted for a Stella McCartney dress that reportedly cost $157,000.

Their Reception Dresses

Their Reception Dresses

First Kiss

Many anticipate the first kiss following the royal wedding. Prince William and Kate Middleton shared their first kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after their wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbey. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s first post-wedding kiss took place outside of St. George’s Chapel right after the ceremony.

First Kiss

First Kiss

The Middletons’ Attire

Kate’s parents Michael and Carole Middleton are considered to be part of the British elite society, and have ties to the British royals for many years back. At their daughter’s royal wedding, Carole wore a light blue suit and Michael chose a suit and top hat. The two wore similar outfits for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding.

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The Middletons Attire

The Middletons ‘Attire

The Tiaras

Of course, no royal wedding would be complete without a tiara. At her wedding, Kate Middleton donned a Cartier tiara that was given to Queen Elizabeth II on her 18th birthday. Meghan was also given a tiara owned by the Queen. The Diamond Bandeau tiara was designed in 1932.

The Tiaras

The Tiaras

The Beckhams

The royal weddings always attract famous faces as guests. The Beckhams attended both weddings. At Kate and Will’s wedding, David Beckham wore a grey morning suit and top hat, while Victoria chose a navy blue dress and matching hat. At Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding, David wore a similar suit sans top hat, and Victoria wore a sleek black dress.

The Beckhams

The Beckhams

Royal Wedding Cakes

For Kate and Prince William’s wedding, Fiona Cairns created an incredible 8-tier fruitcake. They chose a second cake made of chocolate for those who don’t enjoy fruitcake. These cost $160,000. Prince Harry and Meghan chose a lemon sponge cake with elderflower syrup and Amalfi lemon curd, made by Claire Ptak. The cake cost somewhere between $60,000 and $75,000.

Royal Wedding Cakes

Royal Wedding Cakes

The Bouquets

The bouquets chosen by the brides often have special significance. Kate chose a delicate bouquet by Shane Connolly with all white flowers representing happiness and steady love. Meghan’s bouquet was designed by Philippa Craddock and featured flowers chosen by Prince Harry that represented dedication and love.

The Bouquets

The Bouquets

Maid Of Honor & Page Boys

Kate Middleton asked her sister Pippa, who she is quite close with, to be the maid of honor at her wedding and she helped carry Kate’s train down the aisle at Westminster Abbey. Meghan opted not to have a maid of honor, and two page boys helped carry her train down the aisle.

Maid Of Honor & Page Boys

Maid Of Honor & Page Boys

The Grooms’ Outfits

As both Harry and William served in the military, they both wore traditional military dress. William is a Colonel and he wore a red Irish Guards uniform. Harry wore a Blues and Royals military uniform, which is a Major’s uniform despite the fact that he was appointed Captain General of the Royal Marines.

The Grooms' Outfits

The Grooms’ Outfits

Duchess of Cambridge’s Dress

Many waited with baited breath to see the dress chosen by the Duchess of Cambridge for her royal wedding. The dress was a Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen design that blended together traditional components and modern elegance. It reportedly cost $450,000.

Duchess Of Cambridge's Dress

Duchess Of Cambridge’s Dress

Duchess Of Sussex’s Dress

Meghan Markle chose a dress designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller, who is the artistic director of Givenchy. Her veil was embroidered with flowers representing the countries of the Commonwealth as well as the California poppy, representing Markle’s home state.

Duchess Of Sussex's Dress

Duchess Of Sussex’s Dress

White Or Yellow?

It’s a well known fact that nobody but the bride is meant to wear white to the wedding. At first glance, many thought that Kate Middleton wore a white outfit to Meghan Markle’s wedding, but in fact, her Alexander McQueen coat was a light primrose yellow.

White Or Yellow?

White Or Yellow?

Mother Of The Bride

On Kate Middleton’s big day, her mother chose a light blue dress by Catherine Walker that was understated and elegant. Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland flew from Los Angeles for the big day and wore an elegant light green Oscar de la Renta dress.

Mother Of The Bride

Mother Of The Bride

Wedding Reception Guests

After each royal wedding, there is an evening reception. Not everyone who is invited to the wedding is also invited to these lavish receptions. Guests typically change their outfits for the reception. Prince William and Kate Middleton had their reception at Buckingham Palace. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had theirs at St. George’s Hall in Windsor Castle.

Wedding Reception Guests

Wedding Reception Guests

Final Price Tag

It’s no big secret that royal weddings are quite costly. Prince William and Kate Middleton’s 2011 wedding cost an estimated $34 million and had 2500 guests total. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s 2018 wedding had fewer guests, 600 total, and actually cost a reported $55 million.

Final Price Tag

Final Price Tag

Chelsy Davy’s Royal Wedding Outfit

Before Prince Harry met Meghan, he dated Chelsy Davy in a tumultuous on and off relationship from 2004 until 2011. She was invited to both royal weddings, and her outfit choices were quite different for each event. However, she was not invited to Harry and Meghan’s evening reception.

Chelsy Davy's Royal Wedding Outfit

Chelsy Davy’s Royal Wedding Outfit

The Queen’s Royal Wedding Outfits

Queen Elizabeth II is known for her colorful outfits. At Kate and William’s wedding, she wore a primrose yellow dress and matching hat. At Harry and Meghan’s wedding she donned a bright green coat over a purple dress and a matching green hat with purple feathers.

The Queen's Royal Wedding Outfits

The Queen’s Royal Wedding Outfits

Royal Wedding Veils

Kate Middleton’s veil was kept as a top secret project by the Royal School of Needlework until the big day, when she paired it with a tiara borrowed from the Queen. Meghan donned a veil designed by Clare Waight Keller, and it was 16.5 feet long and featured wildflowers from 53 different countries.

Royal Wedding Veils

Royal Wedding Veils

Pippa Middleton’s Royal Wedding Outfits

Kate’s sister Pippa was the Maid of Honor at Kate and William’s wedding, where she donned a chic and simple creme dress that complemented her sister’s wedding dress. At Harry and Meghan’s wedding, she wore a light green floral dress that cost a cool $650,000.

Pippa Middleton's Royal Wedding Outfits

Pippa Middleton’s Royal Wedding Outfits

Royal Wedding Earrings

Kate Middleton donned a pair of Robinson Pelham diamond earrings on her big day. The teardrop earrings cost a reported $20,000. Meghan chose Cartier earrings for her wedding date. The diamond and white gold earrings were borrowed from the Queen, who herself inherited them from Queen Mary in 1953.

Royal Wedding Earrings

Royal Wedding Earrings

Princes Anne Royal Wedding Outfits

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s daughter Princess Anne attended both of the royal weddings while wearing purple floral outfits. At William and Kate’s wedding she wore a purple and green outfit with a matching hat, while at Meghan and Harry’s wedding she wore a dark purple and crimson outfit.

Princes Anne Royal Wedding Outfits

Princes Anne Royal Wedding Outfits

Royal Wedding Crowds

While both royal weddings drew large crowds, Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding drew a far larger crowd. That’s most likely because Prince William will likely be crowned king one day, and he and Kate had a larger wedding venue as well.

Royal Wedding Crowds

Royal Wedding Crowds

Peter Philips’ Royal Wedding Attire

Peter Philips, the oldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and cousin of William and Harry, attended both the royal weddings with his wife Autumn. Autumn wore a purple collared dress at William and Kate’s wedding, while she opted for a royal blue (how fitting!) dress with a teal hat to Meghan and Harry’s wedding.

Peter Philips' Royal Wedding Attire

Peter Philips’ Royal Wedding Attire

Lady Kitty Spencer’s Wedding Attire

Lady Kitty Spencer, the niece of Princess Diana and cousin of Harry and William, attended both royal weddings while wearing simple and elegant dresses. To William’s wedding she wore a beige number with a matching hat, and to Harry’s wedding she wore a stunning teal green dress with yet another matching hat.

Lady Kitty Spencer's Wedding Attire

Lady Kitty Spencer’s Wedding Attire

Prince Phillip’s Royal Wedding Outfits

Prince Phillip, Harry and William’s grandfather, attended the two princes weddings while wearing very different outfits to each. At William’s wedding, he sported his red Grenadier Guards Uniform. At Harry’s wedding, Prince Phillip wore a formal suit and a blue patterned tie, perhaps because he had undergone hip surgery right before the wedding.

Prince Phillip's Royal Wedding Outfits

Prince Phillip’s Royal Wedding Outfits

Kate’s Pre-Royal Days

Before she was a royal Duchess, Kate was a student at University of St. Andrews, where she received a degree in art history. Prince William graduated alongside her, receiving a degree in geography.

Kate's Pre Royal Days

Kate’s Pre Royal Days

No Chauffeur Yet

Before her days as a royal, where she is chauffeured around anywhere she goes, Kate was just like the rest of us. Here she is in 2007, where she is seen in the driver’s seat driving herself to her 25th birthday party.

No Chauffeur Yet

No Chauffeur Yet

Self Sufficient Royal

After joining the royal family, Meghan Markle showed that she was still an independent woman. Although she now had access to drivers, butlers, and a full staff, she made headlines when she was seen closing her own car door in 2018.

Self Sufficient Royal

Self Sufficient Royal

Still Signing Autographs

Even though giving out autographs is against royal protocol, Markle doesn’t want to disappoint her fans, especially the young ones. She has been seen bending the rules a bit and signing autographs, as can be seen here when she signed 10 year Caitlin Clarke’s autograph book. She signed it with a heart and smiley face.

Still Signing Autographs

Still Signing Autographs

Working Woman

Before joining the royal family, Meghan Markle was a successful actress with a regular role on hit TV showSuits,where she portrayed paralegal Rachel Zane. She left after the show’s seventh season in order to focus on royal family duties.

Working Woman

Working Woman

Full Time Royal

Meghan ended her role on the show and then formally retired from acting. She also got rid of her personal Instagram account. Becoming a royal comes with a long list of rules and protocols that one must follow. It sure sounds like a tough thing to transition into.

Full Time Royal

Full Time Royal

Bold Prints

Before becoming a royal, Kate Middleton enjoyed wearing bold prints like this loud and bright animal print dress. She wore the dress while attending a circus show at the O2 Arena back in 2008.

Bold Prints

Bold Prints

Subdued Style

As a member of the royal family, Kate Middleton had to shift her style a bit in order to fit the royal protocol. She was able to incorporate her love of animal print in this more muted print dress while visiting Resort Studios in Cliftonville back in 2015.

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Subdued Style

Subdued Style

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