The Princess of Wales expressed her delight at the imminent half-term break, during which she anticipates having all three of her children home. Kate Middleton shared this sentiment while engaging with well-wishers during a recent visit to a children’s hospice on 22 October 2026. Her comments come as her eldest son, Prince George, has recently begun attending boarding school, a significant milestone for the royal family.
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During her visit, Princess Kate made a surprise stop at Café 98, a charity shop that supports the hospice’s care for young people facing serious health challenges. There, she interacted with members of the public who had gathered to meet her. In a conversation with a schoolchild, she revealed that her children—Prince George, aged 13, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, 8—were preparing for their upcoming school break. “My children break up tomorrow, and I can’t wait to have them all home,” Kate stated, according to reports from Hello! magazine.
One well-wisher recounted that Kate specifically mentioned her eagerness for George’s return, indicating that the family may have plans for the holiday. Her reference to the break allowed her to highlight the close bond she shares with her children, and it was her first public acknowledgment of Prince George’s life at boarding school.
Inside Café 98, she further noted that her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, were also looking forward to the school holiday, underscoring the family’s tight-knit relationship. It is well-known that Kate’s parents enjoy spending quality time with their grandchildren, often hosting them for sleepovers, which allows the children’s connection to their extended family to flourish. “Half-term is a good time to catch up on family life,” she remarked in a video shared on social media.
Prince George began his journey at Eton College, Prince William’s former school, in September. Photos from his first day showed the young royal arriving alongside his parents, proudly dressed in Eton’s distinctive uniform. Despite being a boarder, it seems that George has had opportunities to return home since starting school. According to Eton’s academic calendar, he benefitted from several breaks shortly after the term began, including a “short leave” and an optional weekend visit known as a “B Weekend.”
Experts in education have noted that Eton places great emphasis on helping new students adjust to life away from home. Melanie Sanderson, managing editor at The Good Schools Guide, previously mentioned that the school’s induction programme is designed to foster camaraderie among new first-year students, commonly referred to as “F Blockers.” This attention to adjustment is critical, and educators want the boys to embrace the school experience.
As Prince George adapts to boarding life, Princess Kate and Prince William are navigating their own changes at home. Parenting during this transitional period can be complex, with Sanderson highlighting that for families the shift from a home environment to a school setting is significant. “It’s not a drop-off; it’s a handover,” she explained, noting that the years in secondary education pass quickly.
The couple has been known to minimise their royal duties during school breaks, allowing them the chance to spend invaluable time together as a family. This approach reflects their intention to provide a nurturing and stable environment, which contrasts with the upbringing of previous royal generations. An insider remarked on the positive atmosphere within the family, attributing their happiness to the grounding influence of Kate’s upbringing, which was rooted in a more ordinary background.
As the half-term break approaches, the Princess of Wales’s excitement reveals a glimpse into her personal life away from the public eye. Her reflections resonate with many parents who share similar sentiments when their children return home from school.