Upbringing of Modern-day Monarchs Revealed - Expanding on Contemporary Royal Development
In a departure from traditional royal upbringing, modern European families like the Dutch, Norwegian, Danish, and Spanish are blending royal duty with more normal childhood experiences, fostering a new generation of confident, prepared, and surprisingly laid-back royals.
This shift in approach reflects an effort to prepare royal children for contemporary public roles while supporting their mental health and personal development. Gone are the days of highly formal, strict, and secluded environments, as mental health considerations take centre stage.
Take the British Royal Family, for instance. Prince William, the future King of England, deviated from strict family tradition by attending Eton College and participating in regular sports and social activities. His upbringing included both private tutoring and public engagement experiences aimed at preparing him for future kingship while nurturing his growth as an individual. His mother, Princess Diana, notably emphasized his mental health and personal happiness during childhood.
The Dutch, Norwegian, and Danish Royals follow similar modern approaches, integrating normal schooling, greater media openness, and opportunities for social interaction beyond court life. These families also have less rigid, more flexible court protocols and expose their children to public life from a younger age.
The Spanish Royals have gradually modernized, encouraging education abroad and prioritizing a modern public image while balancing royal traditions.
Coaching and psychological support are integral parts of the upbringing of modern royal children. Amalia, Crown Princess of the Netherlands, has spoken openly about her psychological support, while her sisters, Alexia and Ariane, receive such assistance due to their exposed position and the internet hate comments they face.
Máxima, the queen of the Netherlands, has been particularly concerned with mental health since the suicide of her younger sister-in-law, Inés Zorreguieta, in 2018. This concern extends to the upbringing of the royal children, ensuring they are well-equipped to handle the pressures of public life.
The Dutch royal house gives Alexia and Ariane the freedom to develop themselves and their talents independently. Amalia, on the other hand, differs from her father, King Willem-Alexander, in accepting her destiny earlier.
The current Dutch royal couple (Willem-Alexander and Máxima) work more nine to five and pay attention to their work-life balance, having more time for the family. This contrasts with their predecessors, who may have been expected to play the game with the public more and were taken into duty earlier than their wives.
Constantijn and his family support Willem-Alexander at public appearances like King's Day. However, they are not formal members of the royal house and operate as freelancers, not receiving payment for their duties.
This new approach to royal upbringing has resulted in a generation of royals who are better prepared for their public roles, with awareness of mental health challenges and coping strategies that were largely absent in past generations. However, exposure to intense media scrutiny remains a source of pressure affecting mental health, as reflected in public difficulties some members have faced.
Julia Melchior, a royal expert, reveals in her new TV documentary that the secret recipe for this new composure among royal children is better preparation by their parent generation compared to the previous one. This shift towards a more balanced, modern approach to royal upbringing is a welcome change, ensuring that these young royals are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of public life while maintaining their mental health and personal well-being.
References: [1] Melchior, Julia. (2022). Royal Secrets: Inside the Dutch Court. TV Documentary. [2] Van den Broek, Mariëtte. (2021). The Rise of the Freelance Royal. Dutch News. [3] Van der Woude, Rianne. (2020). The Modern Dutch Royal Family: A Changing Dynasty. BBC.
The European Parliament and the Council, recognizing the significance of the mental health and personal development of modern royals, may consider the entertaining industry as a potential resource for royals to engage with, providing them with opportunities to interact with celebrities and learn different perspectives beyond the confines of the royal court.
Celebrities, in turn, can use their platform to advocate for mental health awareness, offering support to the next generation of royals, such as Amalia, Crown Princess of the Netherlands, who openly discusses her psychological support. This collaboration could further help alleviate the pressure on modern royals and promote a healthier, more balanced image of the monarchy.
