As her family grew with the addition of Prince William, Kate Middleton established a set of “rules of life” to ensure that her duties as royal did not overshadow her responsibilities at home.

According to royal author and journalist Robert Jobson, these guidelines were carefully communicated to Queen Elizabeth II and then-Prince Charles III in 2015, when Kate was pregnant with her second child, Princess Charlotte.

Jobson explains in his book Catherine, the Princess of Wales how Kate set her “conditions” for balancing her royal duties with her family life. Although these “rules of life” were not formally documented, Prince William conveyed Kate’s desire to “grow into her role and said she needed more time to adjust to the particularities of royal life.”

“She made it clear from the start that she would not be tied down to any particular role and insisted on having her full maternity leave, away from the media and public spotlight. Her priority, she stressed, would always be her family,” Jobson writes.

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This was evident throughout Kate’s time in the royal spotlight, as she consistently demonstrated her commitment to her royal duties and her children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Kate Middleton balances cancer treatment and time with family

Kate’s devotion to her family has been particularly poignant this summer as she battles cancer while continuing to keep her children in mind. After publicly announcing her diagnosis in March, Kate has taken a step back from royal duties to focus on her health and family following planned abdominal surgery in January. However, Kate did attend Trooping the Colour in June and performed at Wimbledon in July.

Christopher Andersen, author of The King, told Fox News that the couple has always valued the summer months as a time to provide as much normality as possible for their children, away from the constant scrutiny of the press. “Kate and William have always made the most of their summers with the children,” Andersen said.

“The side effects of chemotherapy certainly make it even more difficult for Kate to be so actively involved, but she will not let it spoil her children’s summer.”

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He also added: “Kate doesn’t want them to worry about her – she has always believed it is her job to worry about them – and that means keeping George, Charlotte and Louis busy with the things – horse riding, swimming, sleepovers with cousins ​​and schoolmates – that they always do on their holidays.”