Prince William and Kate Middleton were advised against having a third child

Kate Middleton, now the Princess of Wales, is known and loved for her elegance, compassion, and dedication to family. But beneath the graceful royal image is a mother who has faced her fair share of challenges, especially during her pregnancies.

Despite the spotlight on her as a senior member of the British Royal Family, Kate’s journey through motherhood has been filled with many ups and downs, making her relatable to countless mothers worldwide. Let’s explore some of her experiences, including the unique struggles she faced with severe morning sickness and her take on raising children as a royal.

When the palace announced in December 2012 that Kate and Prince William were expecting their first child, public excitement was high. But what many didn’t know was that Kate was suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness, that left her feeling miserable and often hospitalized.

Recalling this time, Kate once called the experience “utterly rotten,” a challenge that continued through her pregnancies with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. This condition forced her to cancel engagements and impacted her well-being, yet it didn’t dampen her determination to grow her family.

After Prince George’s birth in 2013, Kate had to make a public appearance with her newborn just hours later. She described the experience as “terrifying,” balancing the joy of welcoming her first child with the overwhelming pressure of public scrutiny. Speaking on the podcast Happy Mum, Happy Baby, she shared how she felt in that moment.

Despite the challenges, she knew it was important to share the joy with the public who had shown so much support. Like her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, she chose to pose with her baby on the steps outside the hospital, symbolizing a deep connection with the people.

One particularly memorable moment in Kate’s motherhood journey came when she and Prince William decided to have a third child. In 2017, the couple announced they were expecting Prince Louis, though they faced warnings about the impact of having a larger family.

An organization called Having Kids even urged them to consider the environmental effects of larger families. Yet, despite the advice, the couple felt that expanding their family was the right decision for them. Today, Kate openly shares how motherhood has transformed her, bringing both joy and challenges.

Over time, Kate has also embraced practices like meditation and hypnobirthing, using these methods to manage her pregnancies better. In a candid conversation with a fellow parent, she once said that hypnobirthing helped her focus during difficult moments. These small but meaningful insights into her experiences make Kate more relatable and show how she, like other mothers, is continually learning.

Motherhood, Kate often says, is not without its surprises and hardships. She acknowledges that while being a royal comes with unique pressures, she shares many of the same concerns as any mother—whether it’s the struggles of early pregnancy or the joy of watching her children grow. Now, with three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—she works with Prince William to give them as normal a childhood as possible, even within the royal setting.

What are your thoughts on Kate Middleton’s motherhood journey? Have you or someone you know experienced similar challenges? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let’s celebrate the journey of all mothers who work through challenges with grace and resilience.