Kate Middleton Breaks Royal Tradition to Shield Kids from ‘Damaged’ William’s Fate: Expert

Kate Middleton, an avid photographer, is often behind the lens, capturing special portraits of her three children. While she loves her hobby, there's a deeper reason why she insists on taking the photos herself, steering away from royal tradition. Royal expert Afua Hagan explained that Middleton chooses to photograph her children to protect them from the press — a decision shaped by seeing the toll they took on her husband, Prince William.

As per the Channel 5 documentary, Kate: A Queen for the Future, Middleton became her family’s photographer after witnessing what William and the late Princess Diana had to go through. As reported by The Mirror, Hagan said, “She understands the interest in her family, especially her children, that people want to see them growing up. So she understands that the press needs these pictures.” The expert added, “The Princess of Wales has seen firsthand through her husband, Prince William, the damage that the press has done to his life, and so she's realized that if she can do something about that, if she can take control, then she should do that.”

Hagan explained that the Princess of Wales’ decision is considered ‘unprecedented’ as no other senior royals had taken such a role. As she puts it, “She's decided I will take them and I will deliver them to the press agencies. I'll be the one who posts them on social media.” The expert lauded her decision as a ‘brilliant move.’ Middleton is also the patron of the Royal Photographic Society and the force behind the Hold Still project. Most recently, the Princess of Wales photographed her daughter, Princess Charlotte, for her 10th birthday on 2 May.

William’s late mother, Diana, was also a victim of relentless press intrusion, which led to her tragic death in a car crash in 1997. From a young age, William and his brother, Prince Harry, were ruthlessly hounded by paparazzi. As reported by Cambridge News, royal expert Richard Palmer explained that the Prince of Wales' staff at Kensington Palace, “have built strong relationships with editors and specialist reporters, and often use softer negotiating skills, understandings or, if necessary, legal warnings to try to keep intrusive stories out of the mainstream media.” The expert added, “His brother's war on the British media has hogged the headlines, but behind the scenes, Prince William is waging a more subtle battle to protect his family from media intrusion.”

Coming back to Middleton, royal expert Ingrid Seward also echoed Hagan’s claims on her maternal instincts. Speaking to The Sun, Seward opined, “After several photo agencies decided to drop her photoshopped Mother’s Day photograph, her hurt was such that together she and William decided if they were going to let the world see pictures of their children, it would be on their terms.” She added, “Now, when they release a photograph, it will be through their Kensington Palace offices, that way they have control.” Reportedly, the Waleses also maintain a strict ‘zero-tolerance policy’ on ‘gossip' among staff to protect their children’s privacy.