Royals Kate Middleton and Prince William Are Giving Their Kids 'as Normal a Start as Possible:' 'They Know What's Coming' The royal parents are trying to keep their kids grounded amid their privileged childhood By Simon Perry Published on December 19, 2019 09:00 AM Share Tweet Pin Email Kate Middleton and Prince William are aware that their children Prince George, 6, Princess Charlotte, 4, and Prince Louis, 19 months, live a life of tremendous privilege — and they are determined to keep their feet on the ground as much as possible. In October, the family enjoyed an outing to watch William’s favorite soccer team Aston Villa take on Norwich. “It was natural and lovely,” an aide says in this week’s PEOPLE cover story. “That’s just how they are. They know what’s coming [as they near the throne] and want to give their kids as normal a start as possible.” Kate Middleton and Prince William ‘Look After Each Other’: ‘It’s an Old-Fashioned Marriage’ Raising their children is the couple’s most important role as they continue their ongoing training and preparations for their ultimate destiny – to be King and Queen. And the pair gave a little window into that world when they appeared on a TV special alongside baking queen Mary Berry on Monday. Kate Middleton, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William. Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images Kate Middleton and Prince William on the cover of PEOPLE. Can’t get enough of PEOPLE‘s Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Kate told Berry that she had inspired one of little Prince Louis’s first words, and William recounted how he talks to George and Charlotte about homelessness when the inquisitive youngsters spot people sleeping on the streets. “Whenever we see someone who is sleeping rough on the street I talk about it and I point it out and I explain,” said William, who is patron of the homelessness charity Centrepoint. “And they are all very interested,” he added. “They are like: ‘Why can’t they go home?’ ” Prince George, Prince William and Kate Middleton. Stephen Pond/Getty Images For more on how Prince William and Princess Kate are making new strides in their royal work, pick up a copy of PEOPLE on newsstands on Friday. On Wednesday, the family of five met up with most of the rest of the Windsors at Buckingham Palace for the annual pre-Christmas lunch party. Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis Join Kate and William at the Queen’s Christmas Lunch! Next up are the Christmas Day festivities, when they will join Queen Elizabeth and most of the rest of the royal family at Sandringham. A source tells PEOPLE that both George and Charlotte are set to make their Christmas Day debut this year alongside parents William and Kate — but that things could always change. Prince Louis made his big debut at Trooping the Colour this year, but he’s likely too young to join his parents and siblings on Christmas.