When the public is granted a glimpse of the royal family, it’s usually planned to perfection – the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge presiding over an official event, or attending church on Christmas morning.
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But a new photo shows the young family completely at ease, relaxing in the gardens of their Kensington Palace home with their cocker spaniel, Lupo.
The intimate black and white photo was taken for British GQ as part of a profile on Prince William. In the interview, the 34-year-old prince opens up about his mother’s death, which occurred when he was 15, and vows to give his children “a normal life.”
“Stability at home is so important to me,” he says. “I want to bring up my children in a happy, stable, secure world, and that is so important to both of us as parents.”
“I want George to grow up in a real, living environment. I don’t want him growing up behind palace walls, he has to be out there.”
Prince William also opened up about Heads Together, the mental health awareness campaign he has launched with the Duchess and Prince Harry.
“Smashing the taboo is our biggest aim,” he told GQ. “We cannot go anywhere much until that is done.”
“People can’t access services until they feel less ashamed, so we must tackle the taboo, the stigma,” he added. “I’ve been really shocked by how many people live in fear and silence because of their mental illness. I just don’t understand it. I know I come across as quite reserved and shy, I don’t always have my emotions brewing, but behind closed doors I think about the issues, I get very passionate about things.”
