Kate Middleton and Prince William’s special getaway with kids at Hollywood film set

Princess Kate and Prince William work hard to provide their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, with a life behind closed doors that is as normal as possible – despite their royal status. The couple keeps their family life mostly under wraps, with William knowing all too well the challenges that come with growing up in a harsh spotlight as the future king.

However, every so often royal fans are treated with a glimpse into what the Wales children are getting up to, and with the three youngsters firm favourites amongst the public, these snapshots can sometimes provide insight into their big personalities. The Wales family most often holiday at Anmer Hall – their Norfolk residence that was given to William and Kate by the late Queen Elizabeth when they got married – but sometimes the children are treated to a holiday abroad, and one a few years back was to a seriously glamorous location with Hollywood links, and a sweet sentimental tie for Kate.

The holiday in question was actually revealed after the fact, with the family travelling to Jordan under wraps to enjoy their trip in private. The couple visited the historic city of Petra, one of the most iconic archeological sites in the world, and a UNESCO heritage site. Much of the stunning city, which dates back to 300 BC is carved into rock, and many blockbuster Hollywood movies have been filmed in the area, including Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Lawrence of Arabia, and Dune.

In a sweet Christmas card that featured a family snap of William, Kate, and the three kids, smiling broadly in Jordan, which was released back in the 2021 festive season, the couple provided a sweet moment of insight into their family holiday to the iconic location – but the country also has a sweet tie to Kate’s childhood, which may have been why she was keen to travel there with her own children.

Back in the 1980s, when Kate was just a youngster, she and her two siblings – Pippa and James – decamped to Jordan with their parents Carole and Michael Middleton. The family lived in Jordan for two years, reportedly between 1984 and 1986, whilst her father was employed as a flight dispatcher in Amman – and Kate is said to have even learned some Arabic during her time living there.

In 2018, William travelled to Jordan by himself, on a solo royal tour whilst Kate was enjoying her maternity leave with her youngest child Prince Louis, and he received an incredibly special treat when he was there, with his host country showing him the exact spot where Kate had once taken a sweet family snap with her father as a little girl. William quickly noted, “Need to come back with the family for this shot,” as he smiled and took photos alongside his wife’s childhood portrait, and only three years later he had fulfilled his intention.