Prince William and Kate Middleton are said to be laying the groundwork for their children to avoid ‘spare syndrome’ and have a greater sense of purpose when they grow up
15:09 ET, 08 Aug 2025Updated 15:12 ET, 08 Aug 2025
William and Kate earlier today at Windsor Castle (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Prince William and Princess Kate have devised a smart strategy to help their Royal children sidestep what’s been called “spare syndrome”.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have devoted significant portions of their lives to charitable work and philanthropic endeavors through organizations like Earthshot, the homelessness charity Centrepoint, and the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, among others.
Royal expert Katie Nicholl now suggests that these projects could assist both Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in avoiding “spare syndrome” – a trap that has ensnared Prince Harry and other royals who found themselves perpetually second in line to the throne.
This issue has reportedly impacted Prince Harry, Prince Andrew, and even Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth’s late sister. The syndrome centers on the idea of the “spare” Royal who experiences feelings of being “overlooked and purposeless”.
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The Prince and Princess of Wales with their children at Trooping the Colour today(Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
However, due to William and Kate’s enthusiasm and vocal advocacy for their charitable causes, Katie Nicholl suggests these programs could provide Charlotte and Louis with a stronger sense of direction as they assume their Royal duties in adulthood. During an appearance on Kinsey Schofield’s Heirs and Spares podcast, Nicholl discussed recent progress in William’s “Innovative Housing Project” in London’s Lambeth borough, where a south London property from William’s Duchy of Cornwall estate will be transformed into 16 apartments offering affordable housing for young adults aged 18 to 25, reports the Mirror.
Nicholl highlighted that the Prince of Wales has previously expressed his ambition to “eradicate homelessness in the UK” though she acknowledged this represents a “tall order” requiring many years to accomplish.
Host Schofield then posed an intriguing question: “I wonder if William and Kate are trying to set their children up with these larger initiatives to have something they can easily slide into, so we don’t have a Prince Andrew, so we don’t have a Prince Harry. There are so many powerful, creative campaigns happening that can live beyond their lifetime that I think their children can easily slide in to help find their purpose.”
Nicholl concurred, responding: “Yes, and I think they will probably encourage their children to go and find their own philanthropic ventures that resonate with them, but William and Kate are giving them a template to follow in their footsteps.”
Cristo Foufas said William and Kate were making the flypast “really special” for their children
(Image: Getty Images)
Referencing William’s Earthshot initiative, Nicholl observed that the Prince of Wales aspires to “save the planet” while understanding “that is not something he can do on his own, but it can be continued by the next royal generation.
“I think there is definitely that idea of continuing legacy work, so I think they are paving the way for the future, and he will want George, Charlotte and Louis to be passionate. But I think if there is a lifelong campaign, William will want his children to continue his footsteps.”
Nicholl’s insights emerge shortly after Royal commentator Richard Palmer proposed that the Waleses are determined to treat their children equally, avoiding the traditional “spare” role.
In a piece for the I, Palmer detailed: “In a Royal Family traditionally focused on the need to create an heir to the throne, and then a spare just in case something goes wrong, the Waleses want their children to have emotional security instead of giving special treatment to the chosen one.”