Kate Middleton has made her presence known as the Princess of Wales. Although Kate has taken some time away from the spotlight this year, she is still very much one of the most famous women in the world; she is married to Prince William, the future king. When William and Kate wed, the now-princess reportedly had some thoughts on her time in the royal family and how it would play out. She wanted a more modern monarchy, which William was apparently on board with, and it included one major stipulation for when the couple started a family.

Prince William and Kate Middleton on their wedding day in 2011Prince William and Kate Middleton on their wedding day in 2011 | Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Kate Middleton was insistent on having a proper three-month maternity leave

When Kate and William wanted to start a family, Kate took it upon herself to make sure that she would have the proper amount of time off to spend as a new mom. According to MailOnline, royal author Robert Jobson wrote that maternity leave was important to the princess.

“Before joining ‘the Firm,’ she wisely established some fundamental rules,” Jobson wrote. “She wouldn’t be pigeon-holed into carrying out particular duties and insisted on eventually having her full quota of maternity leave, away from the glare of the media and public.”

He continued, “Her priority, she emphasized, would be to maintain a balance between her royal obligations and what she held most dear: A loving marriage and a happy family life.” Of course, we now know that part to be true; Kate and William have always put their children’s privacy first, opting to give their kids the most normal lives possible away from the royal spotlight. The family takes time away together whenever they can, and they have raised their kids to attend regular schooling, participate in sports and activities, and make friends on their own.

Kate Middleton and Prince William continue to put their children first

Earlier this year, Kate learned that she had been diagnosed with cancer; she took time away from the spotlight before revealing the diagnosis to the public, and in her video announcement, she said that part of the reason it had taken her so long to reveal her cancer was because she and William were trying to find a way to communicate her illness to their children in a way that they would understand; she didn’t want her kids to be scared or to worry about her.

These days, Kate is still taking some time away, but she has made two appearances this year — both of them with her kids by her side. She rode in the Trooping the Colour parade with Prince George and Princess Charlotte in June, and she took Princess Charlotte to Wimbledon in July.