How Prince William and Kate Middleton are breaking royal traditions through their parenting

The British royals believe change begins at home


Entertainment Desk April 25, 2017
PHOTO:FILE

It seems like the British royals have really taken to opening up to the public.
Just a day after Prince Harry opened up about his struggles with mental health following the death of Princess Diana, his brother Prince William came forth and vowed that the next generation of  royals will be open and honest about their emotions. “There may be a time and a place for the ‘stiff upper lip’ but not at the expense of your health,” Vogue quoted William as saying.

Prince Harry suffered 'total chaos' over Princess Diana's death
For this, the prince is making changes in his own home, with his children Prince George and Princess Charlotte. “Catherine and I are clear that we want them to be able to talk about their emotions and feelings,” he said. “Over the past year, we have visited a number of schools together where we have been amazed listening to children talk about some quite difficult subjects in a really clear and emotionally articulate way — something most adults struggle with.”
This philosophy is a sharp departure from the traditional British stoicism. “For too long there has been a taboo about talking about some important issues. If you were anxious, it’s because you were weak. If you couldn't cope with whatever life threw at you, it’s because you were failing,” William said. He, along with Kate and Prince Harry, is an ambassador for the British mental health charity Heads Together. “Successful, strong people don’t suffer like that, do they? But of course—we all do. It’s just that few of us speak about it.”

Britain's Prince William and wife Kate visit child bereavement charity

Recently, William discussed the importance of mental health awareness in a chat with singing superstar Lady Gaga as well. He reportedly reached out to her after she wrote an open letter about suffering from PTSD for being sexually assaulted at 19. “It’s time that everyone speaks up,” Prince William told her. Talk about leading by example!

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