Like so many parents around the world, Prince William and Kate Middleton found themselves homeschooling their children for months this spring amid the pandemic. And also like many other parents, they found it... challenging.

At an engagement in Belfast this week, the Duke of Cambridge joked about the experience, freely admitting his relief at Prince George and Princess Charlotte's recent return to school. "I think every parent is breathing a sigh of relief that school has started again," he said, per Hello, adding, "Five months—it’s been wonderful, but it’s been a long five months."

The Duke and Duchess have been open about their parenting struggles during lockdown. "The children have got such stamina," Kate told the BBC back in April, as she and her family were settling into the new normal. "You pitch a tent, take the tent down again, cook, bake. You get to the end of the day—they've had a lovely time, but it's amazing how much you can cram into a day, that's for sure."

norfolk, england   undated june 2020 this photograph must not be used after 31st december 2020 without prior permission from kensington palace mandatory credit the duchess of cambridge in this undated handout photo issued on june 20, 2020 by kensington palace and taken by catherine, duchess of cambridge, earlier this month the duke of cambridge plays on the grass with r l prince george, princess charlotte and prince louis to mark both his birthday and fathers day prince william, duke of cambridge turns 38 on june 21, 2020 news editorial use only no commercial use no merchandising, advertising, souvenirs, memorabilia or colourably similar this photograph is provided to you strictly on condition that you will make no charge for the supply, release or publication of it and that these conditions and restrictions will apply and that you will pass these on to any organisation to whom you supply it there shall be no commercial use whatsoever of the photographs including by way of example only any use in merchandising, advertising or any other non news editorial use the photographs must not be digitally enhanced, manipulated or modified in any manner or form and must include all of the individuals in the photograph when published all other requests for use should be directed to the press office at kensington palace in writing note to editors this handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder photo by the duchess of cambridgekensington palace via getty images 1221515608
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The royals released this sweet family photo, taken by the Duchess herself, to mark Prince William’s 38th birthday this summer.

She went on, "It's been ups and downs, probably like lots of families self isolating. George is much older than Louis is and things, but they are aware. You don't want to scare them and make it too overwhelming, but I do think it is appropriate to acknowledge it in simple ways."

Now that two out of their three children are attending school once again (little Prince Louis is still too young for formal education), the Cambridge household is likely a little less overwhelming.

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Chloe Foussianes
News Writer

Chloe is a News Writer for Townandcountrymag.com, where she covers royal news, from the latest additions to Meghan Markle’s staff to Queen Elizabeth’s monochrome fashions; she also writes about culture, often dissecting TV shows like The Marvelous Mrs Maisel and Killing Eve.