Is it just me or are Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis growing up fast? George, of course, will become king one day, while Charlotte and Louis’ royal lives will likely entail a lot of exciting things. For now, naturally, the most important thing is that they get to remain kids, and Prince William and Kate Middleton appear to be very aware of that.
At the same time, as the three royal children are quietly getting older behind the walls of their royal abode, across the Atlantic in the US their cousins are doing the same thing behind the walls of a multimillion-dollar mansion. Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet live far from the British press, but their parents, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, have ensured that their children remain hot topics of conversation through their various actions.
Sadly, it’s been reported that Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis have lost contact with their uncle Harry, with whom George and Charlotte had formed a strong bond before he left the Royal Family for good.
That’s something that might soon return to haunt Prince William and Kate Middleton, with a royal expert now painting a sad verdict on what could be coming next.
Prince Harry was the happiest uncle in the world when he heard the news of Prince George’s birth in 2013. By his own admission, Harry saw himself visiting for daily play dates and quality time, but in his book, Spare, the Duke gave the impression that he had been essentially closed off by William and Kate and was “never invited” over.
“I took it for granted that I would be invited to their house at any moment. But the days went by, and it didn’t happen,” he explained. “I understand, I thought. They’re busy! Building a family! Or maybe… three’s a crowd. Maybe if I get married things will change,” Harry wrote in Spare.
Prince Harry’s relationship with Prince George, Princess Charlotte & Prince Louis
Two years later William and Kate welcomed Princess Charlotte, and Harry was able to create a bond with his nephew and niece. Prince Louis, though, was only two years old when the Duke left the UK behind, and it’s quite clear that the youngest of the Prince and Princess of Wales’ children doesn’t have any real connection to Harry.
That said, Harry has made it clear that he wants to be a part of the children’s lives. Not only that, but another sad part of his “exile” is that his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, have pretty much never seen their cousins.
As mentioned, Louis has never experienced the sort of relationship with his uncle Harry that his elder siblings did, simply because he was too young. But when the young prince was christened, Harry went to lengths to ensure he gave his youngest nephew a great present.
When Louis was christened, Harry put in plenty of work to get the perfect gift. Looking back, he remembered how his mother, Princess Diana, had a great passion for collecting first editions. Therefore, Harry wanted to start a new chapter with his nephews and nieces, thereby keeping the tradition alive.
“One of Harry’s happiest childhood memories was being read a bedtime story by his mother. She loved all the old classics, and Harry had the brilliant idea of starting a little library of first editions for Louis, Charlotte, and George to enjoy as they get older,” a close source told the Daily Record.
Prince Harry’s special gift to Prince Louis was inspired by his mother
Harry went shopping and bought an original edition of A. A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh. It cost him about £8,000 ($10,000).
It was previously reported Harry opted for a rare copy from the initial print run of 30,000 copies in 1926.
“He originally wanted to get Lewis Carroll’s Through The Looking Glass, which was on sale for £24,000, but decided Winnie-The-Pooh would be more suitable for a first tome. Robinson Crusoe was William’s favorite book, but Harry loved all things A.A. Milne,” the source continued.
But while Harry undoubtedly adores his brother’s children, sadly, he also harbors concerns. In an interview with The Telegraph to promote his book, the Duke stated his worries about Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis becoming “spares” just like him.
“Though William and I have talked about it once or twice, and he has made it very clear to me that his kids are not my responsibility, I still feel a responsibility knowing that out of those three children, at least one will end up like me, the spare,” Harry said.
“And that hurts, that worries me.”
Harry continued: “I was brought into the world in case something happened to Willy, I was summoned to provide backup, distraction, diversion and, if necessary, a spare part. Kidney, perhaps. Blood transfusion. Speck of bone marrow. This was all made explicitly clear to me from the start of life’s journey and regularly reinforced thereafter.”
Prince William & Kate Middleton “aware” of possibly ‘Spare’ problems
At the time, royal expert Ingrid Seward criticized Harry for his words about Charlotte and Louis, saying he should” lay off Prince William’s children.”
But even though Harry might have his worries, recent reports state that Prince William and Kate Middleton have everything under control.
Speaking with the Mirror, royal expert Jennie Bond says that the Prince and Princess of Wales “must be acutely aware” of the problems that could come with Prince Louis — and Princess Charlotte — becoming “spare.”
“They have already shown that they have a different and modern attitude to bringing up royal children and I’m sure they will do everything to make Charlotte and Louis feel every bit as special, loved and valued as George,” Bond told the Mirror.
“I imagine they will encourage Louis to explore life outside the royal fold… it could be the military, but it could also be working in the charity world or whatever he finds appealing after his education is finished. I’m sure they will encourage him to go to University, which they both enjoyed and where, of course, they found love.”
The royal expert continued: “And from there they will want him to find a life that is meaningful to him as well as appropriate for the son of a future King. They will try to ensure that he feels he is living a life of value, irrespective of his place in the line of succession and that will probably involve service of some kind as they have emphasised from the start that they want their children to understand that having empathy with others is not only a kindness, but is rewarding as well.”
Prince Louis could have ‘own career’ outside royal spotlight, expert says
As Bond suggested, William and Kate might encourage Louis to try new things and find his passion outside of royal life. Should he opt to remain in the royal fold, meanwhile, he will likely be handed a crucial senior role within the monarchy and significant titles.
But Bond isn’t the only one predicting that Prince Louis could do more than just royal engagements. In an interview with OK!, per Yahoo, Camilla Tominey, royal expert and associate editor at The Telegraph, claimed Prince William and Kate Middleton would want Charlotte and Louis to “have their own careers” if they’d prefer it.
“[William & Kate] don’t want history to repeat itself and Prince Louis seem like a royal hanger-on and go down the Duke of York path,” she told the Telegraph.
“A lot of the more minor royals have got careers of their own so they aren’t really being tax payer funded,” she continued. “The extent to which the Cambridges have tried to normalise the lives of their children very much points in the direction of – yes, Prince George has his destiny mapped out but Princess Charlotte and Louis’ having their own careers?’”
Tominey concluded: “They’ve got to get the balance right of what their own children want to do with their lives and their royal commitments.”
“We might be seeing fewer royals in the future than we’re used to. But the question is, are there going to be enough royals to go around?”
“In their family it would never be the ‘heir and spare’”
In an interview with Hello! Magazine, parenting expert Jo Frost said that the Prince and Princess of Wales would never allow Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis to become” heir and spare” to their older brother, Prince George.
“I think William and Catherine understand the importance of nurturing the sibling relationships between the three of them,” Frost said.
“Dare I say it, in their family it would never be the ‘heir and spare’. It would be about the importance of all of them. The understanding that it really takes a team, with the important roles in upholding the crown and the monarchy.”
The relationship expert added: “And so, we’re seeing these very early seeds now, with respect to what it means to support each other and to nurture together.”
While Prince George and Princess Charlotte surely have recollections and great memories of spending time with Harry, Louis does not. Whether the kids know exactly why their uncle isn’t around anymore is unknown – but that could soon change.
Speaking to GB News, royal commentator Lydia Alty stated that the three royal children are ‘likely asking questions’ about Harry and what really happened when he left.
Prince Louis and his siblings are ‘likely asking questions” about Prince Harry
“Prince Harry used to be close to his brother, Prince William. He was also very close to Prince William’s wife, the Princess of Wales and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis,” she said.
“Harry was even close to his father, despite reports and claims from him that he wasn’t. Now that the royals have all split up and, as far as we know, not talking, this will have affected George, Charlotte and Louis.”
Lydia Alty concluded: “His nephews and niece will probably be wondering why they haven’t seen their uncle and cousins.”
Do you think Prince Louis will become a working Royal Family member or move on to another career? Please share this article with friends and family and give us your opinion!
I Was Invited to a Christmas Date On-Air, Only to Find Two Men Claiming to Be My Mystery Caller — Story of the Day
I never expected my Christmas to turn into a whirlwind of romance and betrayal. Invited to a magical on-air date, I thought I’d met the perfect man. But when two strangers claimed to be him and my choice led to heartbreak, I realized the real story had only just begun.
Christmas Eve at the radio station had its own rhythm—a predictable loop of cheerful jingles and festive classics. I sat in my usual spot, the studio chair that felt more like a throne on nights like this, doling out holiday cheer to an invisible audience.
The perks of being single?
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No mulled wine spills to dodge or awkward family questions about my love life. Just me, the mic, and a playlist that screamed “holiday magic.”
“Coming up next, another yuletide classic to warm your night,” I said, my voice practiced and smooth. “And remember, Santa’s listening, so be good—or at least, be better than you were yesterday.”
The station phone lines had been busy all evening with cheerful callers sharing wishes and stories. But then his voice cut through the static—a rich, warm timbre, like caramel over snow.
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“Hi,” he began, with the kind of confidence that could charm a Scrooge. “I’d like to dedicate a song.”
I leaned into the mic. “For someone special, I hope?”
“Yes,” he replied, a playful smile almost audible. “To the voice that’s made countless lonely Christmases a little less lonely. This one’s for you.”
I froze, blinking at the control board as a flush crept up my neck.
Is this a prank?
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“Well, that’s certainly… unique. I don’t think a song has ever been dedicated to me before,” I said, hoping my voice sounded professional and not as flustered as I felt.
The text line exploded. Messages popped up on my screen:
“Who is this guy?!”
“Are we witnessing a Hallmark movie in real time?”
Even my producer sent a teasing emoji.
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We kept talking, the conversation flowing like mulled cider—warm, unexpected, and oddly comforting. Before I realized it, I’d confessed my favorite Christmas tradition: visiting the small park near the mall, where an anonymous benefactor transformed the place into a symphony of twinkling lights and classical music.
“It sounds magical,” he said. “Maybe we should meet there.”
The words hit me like a snowball to the face. I hesitated.
Am I really about to agree to an impromptu date on-air?
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“Why not,” I heard myself say, my professionalism now teetering on thin ice.
The listeners erupted. Calls poured in, and the station’s social media lit up like Times Square.
My boss texted a single word: “Genius.”
By morning, the chaos hadn’t subsided. I nursed a cappuccino in a café corner, replaying the surreal night in my head. My colleague Julie strolled in like she owned the season, a wide grin plastered on her face.
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“You’ve officially gone viral,” she said, sliding into the seat opposite me. “They want you to host a matchmaking segment now. You’re basically Cupid in headphones.”
“Wonderful,” I replied, trying to sound enthusiastic, though my nerves buzzed louder than the café’s espresso machine.
A date. A promotion. A spotlight brighter than any Christmas star.
Has Christmas finally decided to take me off its naughty list?
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***
The park sparkled under the glow of fairy lights, each bulb casting a golden shimmer over the freshly fallen snow. The air hummed with soft, festive melodies, wrapping the scene in holiday magic. I clutched my coat tighter, my nerves jingling louder than the carols.
That night felt surreal—a blind date with the man whose voice had captured me live on air. But as I approached the towering Christmas tree, I stopped short.
There were TWO men.
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For a moment, I froze, blinking as if the scene might change if I adjusted my angle. It didn’t. Both men turned to face me, their smiles as bright as the decorations.
“You must be Anna,” said the taller one, stepping forward with a confidence that bordered on cinematic.
His mischievous grin seemed permanently etched, and he carried himself like he knew how to own the spotlight.
“Steve,” he added, extending his hand like it was part of a performance. “Your Christmas caller.”
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I managed a polite smile, my brain trying to connect the rich, teasing voice I remembered with the man in front of me. It seemed right. He certainly “felt” like the kind of person who would call a radio station to make a bold move.
Before I could respond, the second man stepped forward. He was shorter, with a warm but hesitant smile. His scarf was wrapped too tightly around his neck, and he adjusted it nervously as he spoke.
“Actually, that’s me,” he said, his voice soft but strangely familiar. “Richard. I called last night.”
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I blinked again, my gaze bouncing between them. Their voices were eerily similar.
Maybe the faint crackle of the radio had blurred the distinction.
But their energy couldn’t have been more different.
“Look, I know this is a little unexpected,” Steve said with a wink, “but isn’t this the kind of thing Christmas movies are made of? Two guys, one magical night… all for you.”
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Richard frowned. “I don’t think this is a competition.”
I stifled a nervous laugh. “This… is definitely not how I pictured tonight going,” I admitted, my breath fogging in the chilly air.
“Well,” Steve said, flashing that million-dollar grin, “we can stand here debating, or we can let the night decide. How about a shared date? Best man wins.”
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Richard hesitated, glancing at me for approval. “If that’s okay with you.”
“Sure,” I said before I could overthink it. “Why not?”
Steve wasted no time, taking charge like he was the director of the evening. He orchestrated an entire scene at the hot cocoa stand, juggling marshmallows and making the vendor laugh until tears streamed down his face.
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“Extra whipped cream,” he declared, sliding the cup toward me with a wink. “Because someone as sweet as you deserves nothing less.”
Richard handed me a second cup. “Just in case you prefer less sugar.”
As we moved to the snowball fight area, Steve dove in like an action hero, dramatically shielding me from flying snow.
“No snowball shall touch this woman!” he shouted, earning cheers from nearby kids.
Richard, meanwhile, knelt beside me, crafting a tiny snowman with a crooked smile.
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“I thought he might need a bodyguard,” he joked softly, adjusting the snowman’s stick arms.
The carousel was where my heart started to waver. Steve pulled out his phone for a selfie—“for the fans,” he said, holding it high as his perfect smile filled the frame.
Meanwhile, Richard reached out to steady my carousel horse as it wobbled slightly.
By the time we returned to the meeting point, Steve leaned against the tree, his grin never faltering.
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“So, what do you say? Christmas with me? I promise to keep it unforgettable.”
Richard, standing just out of the spotlight, stepped forward and gently took my hand. His touch was warm despite the cold. “Thank you. For giving me a chance.”
And then, without another word, he turned and disappeared into the glimmering lights. Richard stepping back felt like a graceful exit, sparing me the awkwardness of making a choice and possibly hurting someone.
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Besides, it all made sense. The voice from the radio, full of confidence and charm, couldn’t have belonged to anyone but Steve. His boldness, the way he carried himself, his easy humor—it matched perfectly with the man who had captured my attention on air.
“Smart choice,” he teased. “But let’s get out. This park’s too… romantic for my taste anyway. Honestly, who thought meeting here was a good idea?”
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I blinked. “You mean… you suggested it! It’s my favorite spot, remember?”
“Did I? Huh. Funny. I’d almost forgotten.”
Why did he forget something like that? And why did it sound like he hadn’t even meant it? Maybe I chose the wrong man?
***
Determined to make an impression, I had spared no effort. The soft fabric of my new dress hugged me just right, my hair shone like it had a personal lighting crew, and the subtle shimmer of my makeup felt like magic dust.
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When I reached Steve’s grand townhouse, I almost believed it could be a Christmas to remember. Clutching my carefully wrapped gift, I adjusted the hem of my dress and pressed the doorbell.
Steve opened the door. “You look stunning. Come in.”
I stepped inside. Couples clustered in small groups, laughing over glasses of wine.
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And then I saw her.
Julie stood near the fireplace, her dress impeccable and her posture exuding smugness. She came to Steve and looped her arm through his in a way that spoke volumes before she even opened her mouth.
“There you are,” she purred, her voice like syrup laced with poison. She leaned in and kissed Steve on the cheek, her eyes never leaving mine. “Thanks for coming. Isn’t he just wonderful?”
I froze. Her words landed like tiny barbs, but her next ones hit harder.
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“You’ve got great taste in men. Too bad you’ll always come second.”
A wave of polite laughter rippled through the room, but I couldn’t reply. Gripping my coat, I turned and walked out into the cold. The bitter wind stung my cheeks, but it was nothing compared to the ache in my chest. The magic of the Christmas night had vanished.
***
Back home, I flopped onto the couch, burying my face in a pillow. Julie’s words played repeatedly in my mind, each cutting deeper than the last. I had trusted Steve’s charm, let myself believe in the fairytale, and ended up humiliated by my envious coworker.
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As I lay there, the soft hum of the radio filled the room, playing the same festive tunes I’d spun a hundred times before. My fingers reached out automatically to turn up the volume.
Then I heard it—a voice I recognized instantly.
“It’s Richard,” he said, his words measured but full of heart. “I don’t know if you’re listening, but I’m waiting in your favorite spot. If you’re willing to take one more chance, I’ll be here.”
Richard? Waiting?
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I bolted upright, my pulse quickening. I grabbed my coat and headed out into the night without a second thought.
When I arrived at the park, the sight stopped me in my tracks. The Christmas tree was brighter than ever, draped in shimmering lights that seemed to reach for the stars. The soft strains of classical music floated through the air, wrapping the moment in something that felt like magic.
And there he was. Richard. He stood under the glowing tree, his hands in his pockets, his expression nervous but determined.
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“I know I’m not perfect in real life. My voice on-air did,” he said, his voice trembling as his eyes met mine. “But I want to try to be for you.”
The world around us blurred, the music fading into the background. There were no grand gestures, no flashy charm. Just Richard, honest and vulnerable. For the first time in years, the emptiness of Christmas was replaced with something else entirely.
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Tell us what you think about this story, and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.
If you enjoyed this story, read this one: I came to the island searching for peace, a fresh start to heal from my past. Instead, I found HIM—charming, attentive, and everything I didn’t know I needed. But just when I started to believe in new beginnings, a single moment shattered it all.
This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life
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