William and Catherine expected to allow their younger children to choose their own paths
Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are unlikely to be pressured into traditional royal roles, as Prince William and Princess Catherine reportedly plan a more flexible future for their younger children.
While Prince George is preparing for his eventual role as monarch, royal experts suggest that his siblings may be given the freedom to explore careers outside of royal life. According to royal commentator Ingrid Seward, the Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to offer Charlotte and Louis the option to choose whether or not to become working royals.
“It’s not like it was in Charles’s youth. Nowadays, children make their own decisions,” Seward told The I newspaper. “It’s just so different to when even William was brought up.”
This more modern approach appears to be part of a broader shift within the monarchy. Royal historian Marlene Koenig believes the couple is ready to “rip up the rule book” and embrace a future that places individual choice over tradition.
American royal biographer Sally Smith echoed the sentiment, predicting that Princess Charlotte is more likely to adopt a public-facing role in the Royal Family than her younger brother. “I would imagine Charlotte will be part of the picture. I’m not so sure about Louis,” she said.
Traditionally, royal siblings have served as working members of the Firm, as seen with King Charles’s own brothers and sister. However, with changing times and evolving expectations, the next generation of royals may be writing their own rules.
Charlotte and Louis currently stand third and fourth in the line of succession respectively, following their older brother, Prince George.
