Prince William and Kate Middleton are reportedly desperate that their eldest son Prince George will be raised “to have a normal life” despite his royal status as heir to the throne.

“The royals are renowned for being ‘stiff upper lip,’ but William and Kate have a more modern approach to parenting and are moving away from that mentality,” the insider told US Weekly. “Open communication is key for them. … [But they] set boundaries and have rules in place.”

The source went on to say that William and Kate want George, 8, and his younger siblings Princess Charlotte, 6, and Prince Louis, 3, “to express their emotions and ask questions to enable them to grow up as healthy adults.”

The insider added that until the day when their eldest son becomes king, “Kate and William want George to have a normal life” and “don’t want him to grow up too quickly.”

“He’s not called Prince George at school and is simply known as George, he mixes with children his own age,” the source explained. “Kate and William don’t shower him with expensive gifts nor do they over spoil him. … George makes his bed every morning. … All the children have impeccable manners and always say please and thank you.”

William and Kate are reportedly “raising their kids to be well-mannered and not take their status for granted.”

Kate’s mother Carole is also determined for her grandchildren to have normal childhoods.

“If I’m doing planting with my grandchildren, I like to have it all laid out at ‘activity stations’ with their own little trowel and pot so they can get started immediately,” Carole said back in May.

“It’s no good calling children over to an activity, only for you then to have to fuss about looking for the right equipment and clearing a space,” she added. “They’ll soon lose interest and slope off. … It’s important for children to grow up appreciating nature and part of that is allowing them to get a bit muddy.”

George celebrated his eighth birthday earlier this month, and his family went all-out to celebrate.

“Kate and William surprised George with a football cake,” another source said. “He received lots of lovely presents — a nature explorer set and a cool watch! … [The queen] sent him a lovely gift as a surprise.”