Why Prince George Still Doesn’t Have a Cellphone

Prince William and Kate Middleton may be one of the most modern royal couples — but when it comes to parenting, they’re keeping things decidedly old-school.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have chosen not to give their children smartphones, a decision that’s reportedly led to some “tense” moments at home, especially with their eldest, Prince George.

During an interview with Brazilian TV host Luciano Huck while in Rio de Janeiro for the Earthshot Prize Awards, the 43-year-old royal opened up about the challenges of raising children in the digital age — and the difficult conversations that come with it.

“It’s really hard,” William admitted. “To be honest, it’s getting to the point where it’s becoming a little bit of a tense issue.”

He added that 12-year-old George is beginning to understand his parents’ strict rules — even if he doesn’t fully agree with them yet.

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“We communicate why we don’t think it’s right,” William said. “I think it’s the internet access I have a problem with. Children can access too much stuff they don’t need to see online. Having a phone just for calls or texts — that’s fine. But the rest can wait.”

The Prince of Wales did hint that his son’s digital independence could come soon, teasing that when George “moves on to secondary school,” he might be allowed a phone without internet access.

Life at Home with George, Charlotte, and Louis

William also gave a rare glimpse into family life at Adelaide Cottage, where he and Kate are raising George, Princess Charlotte (10), and Prince Louis (7).

Between royal engagements and global environmental work, William joked that he often doubles as the family’s “taxi driver.”

“Oh, yeah — school runs most days,” he laughed. “Catherine and I share it. She probably does the bulk of them, though.”

Despite their royal titles, the couple have long prioritized a sense of normalcy for their children, often seen doing school drop-offs or attending their kids’ sports games themselves.

Talking to the Kids About Kate’s Cancer

The prince also opened up about one of the most personal challenges their family has faced — Kate’s cancer diagnosis, which she made public in March 2024.

“I think it is very individual and moment-dependent as to how you deal with those problems,” William shared. “We chose to communicate a lot more with our children. Sometimes you wonder if you’re oversharing, but hiding things doesn’t work either — it just creates more questions.”

He added thoughtfully, “There’s no manual for being a parent. You just have to go with your instincts.”

The Princess of Wales, also 43, completed her “incredibly tough” course of treatment in September 2024 and later confirmed that she is in remission and remains focused on recovery while balancing family life and royal responsibilities.