Kate Middleton could break royal tradition by teaching Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis to drive

The Prince and Princess of Wales have spent years reshaping expectations around royal parenting, and according to a former palace insider, another tradition could soon be headed for retirement.

As Prince George approaches his teenage years and prepares for a major milestone this fall, speculation is already turning to another rite of passage that may be handled differently inside the Wales household, involving learning how to drive.

Former royal butler Grant Harrold believes Kate Middleton could choose a hands-on role when the time comes for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis to get behind the wheel, rather than leaving the responsibility entirely to professional instructors.

“When it comes to teaching George, Charlotte and Louis how to drive, I wonder if Kate and William might take a more-hands on approach as they do with so much of their private lives,” Harrold suggested to Select Car Leasing.

“I could imagine Kate getting behind the wheel and teaching them herself when they’re old enough. She’s a very calm person so I think she would make a great teacher,” he said.

The prediction aligns with the parenting style Kate and Prince William have embraced for years.

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Unlike previous generations of royals, the couple have made a point of being deeply involved in their children’s day-to-day lives.

They are frequently spotted handling school drop-offs and pickups themselves and have repeatedly emphasized their desire to give George, Charlotte and Louis as normal an upbringing as possible.

Harrold noted that official driving instruction would still likely be part of the process, but he expects the experience to resemble that of many other British teenagers.

“I imagine lots of the royal cousins would have used the same instructor if it worked logistically, as the family are very loyal when they find someone they can trust,” Harrold said.

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“The main factor for picking an instructor will be trust and discretion.”

Security considerations would naturally play a role in selecting any instructor working with the royal children, but Harrold believes familiarity and loyalty would remain key factors.

For younger royals, obtaining a driver’s license represents more than just a coming-of-age moment.

Harrold pointed out that many royal residences sit on sprawling estates, making driving an important source of independence.

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“And while they, of course, have drivers, most of them — especially the younger royals — like the freedom of being able to come and go as they please.”

The idea of Kate taking charge of driving lessons may not be as surprising as it sounds.

The Princess of Wales is known for doing much of her own driving and is regularly photographed behind the wheel around Windsor and during private family outings.

She has even driven herself to solo royal engagements on occasion, a move that often attracts attention given the family’s status.

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Her comfort behind the wheel reflects a broader pattern.

Kate has repeatedly introduced her children to practical skills that fall outside traditional royal protocol.

During family summer holidays, she has reportedly taught them activities such as boating and other outdoor pursuits, reinforcing the family’s emphasis on hands-on experiences.

That practical approach also extends to the vehicles parked at the Wales family’s disposal.

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For everyday family life, Kate is often associated with an Audi Q7 Black Edition, the spacious SUV frequently used for school runs and family transportation.

William, meanwhile, has embraced sustainability-focused motoring with an Audi RS e-tron GT, a fully electric luxury sports sedan reportedly valued at around £115,000 and often seen at environmentally focused events, including those connected to the Earthshot Prize.

The couple have also long relied on a Range Rover Vogue SE, a model that has been part of their lives since shortly after Prince George’s birth in 2013.

Alongside those modern vehicles sit several historic royal favorites.

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On their 2011 wedding day, William and Kate famously departed in King Charles III’s Aston Martin DB6 Volante, a 1969 convertible powered by a sustainable fuel blend created from surplus English white wine and whey from cheese production.

Another treasured royal vehicle is the 1966 Land Rover Series IIA that once belonged to Prince Philip.

William and Kate drove the classic off-roader during a special engagement in Scotland in 2021 honoring the late Duke of Edinburgh.

For major state occasions, however, the family still turns to the monarchy’s ceremonial fleet.

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Those official vehicles include the bespoke Bentley State Limousines, armored luxury cars valued at approximately $12 million each and designed with elevated roofs and expansive windows so crowds can see royal passengers during public appearances.

Kate also arrived at Westminster Abbey on her wedding day in a Rolls-Royce Phantom VI, one of the most recognizable ceremonial cars in the royal collection.

While Charlotte and Louis still have years before driving lessons become a reality, George’s timeline is beginning to come into focus.

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The future king turns 13 next month and is expected to begin his studies at Eton College this September, following in the footsteps of both Prince William and Prince Harry.

Reports this week indicated that an official announcement regarding George’s enrollment is imminent.

The prestigious boarding school, which costs approximately £63,000 per year, has educated generations of royals and is located near the Wales family’s home.

For now, all eyes remain on George’s next chapter.

But if Harrold’s prediction proves accurate, one future milestone may unfold far from palace protocol, with Kate Middleton sitting in the instructor’s seat herself.