The Unspoken Struggles of a Royal Childhood

While many of us dream of being royalty as kids, the truth is that it also has some downsides, like following ridiculous rules and not being able to keep gifts from strangers. And it’s not just the countless rules — they have to deal with the opinions of billions of individuals who have never met them before. The movies might make it look like being a prince or princess is a perfect life, but here are some darker and more tragic aspects of the royal lifestyle for children.

Royal siblings are often compared to each other

Siblings often have to deal with being compared to each other, and when you’re royal, those comparisons go public. Such comparisons can have consequences for people and the relationships they’re in. Take Prince William and Prince Harry, for instance. While there are differences between the two, they both take after Princess Di in various ways. Princess Margaret and Queen Elizabeth II also faced this issue. A friend of theirs, Alathea Fitzalan Howard, said in her journal that Margaret was “childish” and “unmanageable,” unlike Elizabeth.

Royal children had difficulties connecting with their schoolmates

A good education is a major part of being a royal, but it doesn’t come without struggles. King Charles’ father, Prince Philip, found boarding school difficult and hoped that the experience would be better for his son. A biographer said that people thought Philip to be “cruel” for sending his son to school, but he thought it would build character. Charles called it “absolute hell” when he first started at the demanding school Gordonstoun.

Nannies raise royal kids instead of their parents

Royals (especially ones that are closest to the monarchy) have demanding lifestyles and jobs. Between traveling worldwide to public engagements and advocating for causes they’re passionate about, the kids of royals are often left on their own. For this reason, hired help is the norm for royals. Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret were both brought up by their nannies, Margaret MacDonald and Clara Knight. After their mother’s passing, Charles didn’t exactly provide for Prince William and Prince Harry, giving them a bit too much independence. As a result, they would confide in his protection officers instead.

Female royals deal with scrutiny of their appearance and major body shaming

Being a woman in the world of royals comes with a whole different set of challenges. For decades, Windsor women have faced scrutiny for their appearance. When Anne, Princess Royal, was just a teenager, the public and media mocked her body. For those in the royal family, the public and the media, thinks they have the right to comment on your body and everything about you, including self-conscious teenagers. Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie were both compared to Cinderella’s ugly stepsisters, getting criticized for their sense of style, weight, and work life. There’s strength in adversity, but these things still take a toll.