Kate Middleton Admits That Parenting Is Hard—Even for a Princess

During a rare public speech in London, Kate Middleton opened up about the challenges she faced after becoming a mother. The Duchess of Cambridge was speaking at a charity event organized by Best Beginnings, an organization that focuses on child health in the U.K., and was introducing a series of films focusing on maternal mental well-being when she revealed her own struggles with motherhood.

“Personally, becoming a mother has been such a rewarding and wonderful experience. However, at times it has also been a huge challenge,” she said. “Even for me, who has support at home that most mothers do not. Nothing can really prepare you for the sheer, overwhelming experience of what it means to become a mother. It’s full of complex emotions of joy, exhaustion, love, and worry, all mixed together.”

She went on to describe how clueless many mothers can feel during those first few months with their newborn child. “There is no rule book, no right or wrong; you just have to make it up and do the very best you can to care for your family,” she said. “For many mothers, myself included, this can at times lead to a lack of confidence and feelings of ignorance. Sadly, for some mothers, this experience can be made so much harder due to challenges with our very mental health.”

According to Middleton’s speech, two in ten women will suffer from pregnancy-related mental issues, such as postpartum depression. Heads Together, the charity initiative Middleton created with her husband, Prince William, and brother-in-law, Prince Harry, hopes to end the stigmatization of mental difficulties that can so often lead new moms to feel isolated and hopeless. “If any of us caught a fever during pregnancy, we would seek advice and support from a doctor,” she added. “Getting help with our mental health is no different. Our children need us to look after ourselves and get the support we need.”

Middleton’s speech was an admirable moment of candor from the usually private royal family. It was also a welcome bit of information for all women out there, who must be relieved to find out that even a princess with shiny hair, impeccably tailored clothes, and a full staff can also feel like she has absolutely no clue as to what she’s doing after becoming a mom. Royals—they’re just like us!