So keen. A Middleton family insider says the duo “are keen” to give the future monarchs — George and Charlotte are third and fourth in line for the British throne, respectively — a life outside the palace’s gilded walls. “While they feel it’s important to make them aware of their backgrounds,” says the insider, “it’s also vital for both George and Charlotte to have as much normalcy in their lives as possible.”
An unplugged childhood. A source close to the couple reveals they’ve banned iPads at home. “They’re very much seen as Mummy and Daddy’s toys, not for children,” says the source. “As two people who grew up without gadgets for entertainment themselves, William and Kate are firm believers in toys, outdoor play and encouraging an active imagination.” Adds a palace insider, “They’re very much a normal family.”
George & Will. Us Weekly says George and William spend a lot of time together and George “is at an age where he’s starting to realize that the world he lives in is different to his friends,” says a source. So when he and William strap on helmets and ride bikes around their 10-bedroom Georgian mansion in the sleepy Norfolk village of Anmer (a source says George peddles without training wheels!) George peppers him with inquiries. He’s full of questions and curiosity about everything around him,” explains the source. “He’s growing up to be a very confident young boy.” And a bright one, too. William recently confided to a pal that their conversations “are surprisingly deep,” says the source. “William says his view of the world is absolutely fascinating.” And the former East Anglian Air Ambulance pilot gets an earful of Georges’s opinions often. Notes the source, “George is very close to his father.”
Charlotte is especially close to her mom. The tot, due to start preschool in 2018, is so close to Kate that those close to the duchess joke “that Mummy definitely has a shadow,” says the Middleton family insider. “Wherever Kate goes, so does Charlotte.” That means she logs a lot of hours inside the 18th-century spread’s recently renovated kitchen. “Whenever the housekeeper or Kate are preparing food, Charlotte needs her own toy set by her side to imitate,” explains the family insider. Among her favorite options: sets of wooden toys from U.K. shop JoJo Maman Bébé and anything Disney princess; though, says the family friend, “I don’t think it’s quite dawned on her that she’s a princess herself.”
Everything Angelina Jolie And Brad Pitt Have Said About Their Divorce
Here’s a run-down of what both parties have actually said about their divorce.
September 20, 2016:
The Jolie-Pitts announce their divorce. Jolie first, through her lawyer, issues the following statement to the press:
“Angelina Jolie Pitt has filed for dissolution of the marriage. This decision was made for the health of the family. She will not be commenting at this time, and asks that the family be given their privacy during this difficult time.”
Pitt soon responds with his own statement, asking for privacy for the sake of their children: “I am very saddened by this, but what matters most now is the wellbeing of our kids.”
September 21, 2016:
Just a day after the world reels from their shock announcement, Jolie decides to release a second statement.
“Angelina will always do what’s in the best interest of taking care of her family,” her manager tells E! News. “She appreciates everyone’s understanding of their need for privacy at this time.”
September 27, 2016:
The first sighting of Pitt since the announcement is expected at a screening for The Voyage of Time–a documentary narrated by Pitt. However, the Troy actor decides against attending and issues the following statement:
I’m very grateful to be part of such a fascinating and educational project, but I’m currently focused on my family situation and don’t want to distract attention away from this extraordinary film, which I encourage everyone to see.
November 10, 2016:
The divorce takes a turn when it is revealed the FBI and Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services are investigating Pitt over an alleged altercation with one of their children. Both organizations soon cleared him of any wrongdoing. Jolie speaks about the situation for the first time since her initial statement.
“The job of the DCFS is to make sure the children are in a safe and secure situation,” a spokesperson on behalf of Jolie says. “As we said earlier this week, childcare professionals encouraged a legal agreement accepted and signed by both sides that was in the best interest of the children.
“Angelina said from the beginning that she felt she had to take action for the health of the family and is relieved that after their eight-week involvement, the DCFS is now satisfied the safeguards are put in place that will allow the children to heal.”
January 10, 2017:
Pitt and Jolie speak out in their first joint statement since announcing their divorce. The estranged couple announce all court documents relating to their divorce will be sealed from the public to protect their children.
“The parents are committed to act as a united front to effectuate recovery and reunification,” the statement continues, according to CNN.
February 20, 2017:
Jolie gives an emotional interview from Cambodia, where she is premiering her new film, and is asked directly about her family situation.
“It was a very difficult time,” she tells The BBC. “Many people find themselves in this situation. My whole family have all been through a difficult time. My focus is my children, our children.
“We are forever will be a family and so that is how I am coping. I am coping with finding a way through to make sure that this somehow makes us stronger and closer.”
May 3, 2017:
Pitt gives his version of events to GQ Style in a ground-breaking interview. He ranges from talking directly about the divorce to going to therapy and his drinking.
“It’s hit me smack in the face with our divorce: I gotta be more. I gotta be more for them [my children]. I have to show them. And I haven’t been great at it,” he says honestly.
He also insinuates that he and Jolie have reached a more peaceful place: “We’re both doing our best. I heard one lawyer say, ‘No one wins in court–it’s just a matter of who gets hurt worse’. And it seems to be true, you spend a year just focused on building a case to prove your point and why you’re right and why they’re wrong and it’s just an investment in vitriolic hatred. I just refuse. And fortunately my partner in this agrees. It’s just very, very jarring for the kids to suddenly have their family ripped apart.”
He also tells the writer to check out “Angie’s film,” First They Killed My Father, which is the only time he mentions her by name.
May 16, 2017:
Pitt goes a bit further by reassuring his fans he is doing okay in the wake of his public divorce.
“I’m not suicidal or something,” he tells the Associated Press. “There’s still much beauty in the world and a lot of love. And a lot of love to be given. It’s all right. It’s just life…kids are everything. Kids are your life. They’re taking all the focus as they should anyway.”
July 26, 2017:
Jolie’s Vanity Fair cover story is released. Although she appears reluctant to fully go into what caused their divorce, she does speak about how “things became difficult”.
“Things got bad…I didn’t want to use that word…Things became difficult,” she says. She denies that their traveling, large family lifestyle had anything to do with the divorce, too.
“[Our lifestyle] was not in any way negative. That was not the problem. That is and will remain one of the wonderful opportunities we are able to give our children.”
She goes on to also indicate she and Pitt have reached a more positive place as former partners and co-parents.
“We care for each other and care about our family and we are both working towards the same goal…I do not want my children to be worried about me. I think it’s very important to cry in the shower and not in front of them. They need to know that everything’s going to be all right even when you’re not.
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