Kate Middleton has become one of the most beloved figures in the British Royal Family. As the Princess of Wales, she not only performs a wide array of royal duties but also takes pride in being a devoted mother to her three children. Together with Prince William, Kate is determined to give Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis a grounded upbringing, balancing royal traditions with a sense of normalcy.

Throughout her pregnancies, Kate faced significant challenges, with each experience having its tough moments. She once revealed that while expecting Prince George, she suffered from severe morning sickness, and a similar situation arose when she was carrying Princess Charlotte.

However, when it came to deciding on a third child, Kate and William encountered a wave of advice suggesting they reconsider. Despite the concerns, they chose to expand their family, and that decision eventually led to the arrival of Prince Louis.

In December 2012, Buckingham Palace announced the joyous news that Prince William and Kate Middleton were expecting their first child. By July of the following year, they celebrated the birth of their son, Prince George, who is poised to one day become king. Yet, despite the excitement, the experience was understandably overwhelming for Kate.

Shortly after giving birth, Kate made her first public appearance with Prince George outside the Lindo Wing in Paddington, London. While she was thrilled to share this moment, she described it as “terrifying.” Speaking on Giovanna Fletcher’s podcast, Happy Mum, Happy Baby, Kate admitted that stepping out of the hospital with a newborn felt daunting.

Reflecting on the experience, Kate shared, “It was slightly terrifying. Compartmentalizing everything in my mind became essential. I wanted to follow in Diana’s footsteps and stand on the hospital steps with my new baby.” With heartfelt gratitude, she acknowledged the outpouring of public support: “Everyone was looking forward to this moment, and we were incredibly thankful.”

Kate also candidly admitted that the hospital environment was not somewhere she wanted to linger. She reflected on her feelings as a first-time mom, navigating a blend of joy and nervousness amid a whirlwind of emotions.

“When you’re new parents, you don’t fully understand what’s coming next,” she said. She further explained that due to the weather conditions—extreme heat and thunderstorms—she barely slept that night. For Kate, the memory of being in the hospital brought back difficult moments from her pregnancy, making her even more eager to get back to normal life.

Kate’s journey underscores the humanity of the Royal Family. Like many mothers, she faced a mix of emotional and physical challenges during pregnancy. While expecting George, she was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness, leading to hospitalization. Reflecting on that period, she described it as “rotten,” a sentiment she revisited during her pregnancies with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. In fact, her health concerns once led to a canceled royal engagement.

Years later, during a visit to the Orchards Centre in Kent, Kate opened up about her journey with severe morning sickness. In a conversation with a father whose wife had experienced similar issues, Kate empathized, saying, “I know what that feels like.” Appearing again on Happy Mum, Happy Baby in 2020, Kate detailed how her pregnancy impacted her diet, sharing that despite her challenges, her body still nurtured new life. This, she found fascinating.

Prince William, meanwhile, often felt helpless, watching Kate suffer through an experience he couldn’t alleviate. “It’s tough to watch someone you love in pain and not be able to help,” she remarked. Interestingly, Kate admitted that labor was an experience she “quite liked” because it marked the end of her difficult pregnancies. “It’s something you know will eventually end,” she said, acknowledging that every birth is unique.

Moreover, during her pregnancy, Kate found solace in meditation and deep breathing exercises, essential techniques in hypnobirthing, which she credited for helping her cope with her symptoms. “Meditation and deep breathing became powerful tools for me,” she revealed. Despite the rigorous demands of royal life, Kate’s experiences made her feel connected to many women undergoing similar trials.

In April 2018, after announcing her third pregnancy the previous September, Kate gave birth to Prince Louis. In a public statement, it was revealed that she had delivered her son at 11:01 AM, weighing 8 pounds 7 ounces, with Prince William by her side. Just seven hours after his birth, Prince Louis made his debut before a global audience, once again at the Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital in London.

However, Kate and William had been previously advised against having a third child. During a 2017 tour in Poland, Kate’s lighthearted remark to William about having more children sparked media speculation. Soon after, Anne Green Carter Dillard, Executive Director of Having Kids, an organization advocating for sustainable family planning, wrote an open letter urging the royal couple to consider the environmental implications of a large family.

In the letter, Dillard highlighted the British Royal Family’s influence on public attitudes, suggesting that smaller families support sustainability. The letter emphasized, “Large families are not sustainable,” sparking a broader dialogue on family size and environmental responsibility.

As Kate’s family grew, so did her reflections on motherhood. Visiting the Royal Surrey County Hospital’s postnatal ward in 2022, she spoke about her youngest, Prince Louis, and admitted that she sometimes still thought of him as her “baby.” Becoming a mother, she explained to the other moms, was “a shock to the system,” an experience that defies even the best preparation.

“Every birth is different,” Kate remarked, recalling how each of her pregnancies and childbirth experiences was unique. With humor, she shared stories about the peculiar cravings she had while expecting Prince Louis, and how these odd cravings became memorable.

Amy Stubbs, Deputy Director of Midwifery at Royal Surrey, later shared how Kate connected deeply with the new parents she met. “She opened up about her own journey as a mom and the special memories she shares with her children,” Stubbs noted.

For many, Kate Middleton embodies grace under pressure. Despite the unique challenges of royal life, she has shown the resilience and relatability that endear her to families everywhere.