Family planning group backtracks after urging royals not to have a third child

A family planning group has backtracked after they urged Prince William and Kate Middleton to reconsider having another child.

Having Kids – a family planning group who advocate for small families – wrote an open letter to Kate and Prince William in August, asking them to “forgo” having a third child.

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However since news came to light that the Duchess of Cambridge is indeed pregnant, the organisation has released a statement, congratulating the royals.

“Yes, Having Kids suggested that Prince William and Kate might forgo having a third child. We did so to encourage them to set an example of the most effective thing possible to mitigate climate change and protect the future,” the statement on the group’s website reads.

“And yes, it appears the Royal family, and what CNN calls the world’s strongest brand, is getting bigger.

“That’s OK. Having Kids sincerely congratulates Prince William and Kate.

“The truth is that we don’t have to always rely on celebrities to lead by example.

“Changing this world for the better does not happen overnight.”

It comes after the group released a statement in August, urging Prince William and Kate Middleton to seriously think about their options before bringing another child into the world.

“All of us – especially public figures – should plan our families with the future environment in mind, producing a smaller and more resilient populace capable of thriving in that environment,” the letter said.

“Of course, we know that Prince George and Princess Charlotte are certain to have wonderful lives, protected from the deprivation of poverty and the threat of environmental degradation.

“They will receive optimal amounts of care and attention, as well as the best possible education.”

The organisation urged the royals to “forgo” having a third child and “take part of the substantial resources saved to help a different family plan a fair start in life for their child”.

“We owe it to our children to make that change,” the letter reads.

Since the organisation released the letter, people have wondered why they have chosen to target Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Many “supporters” of the Having Kids asked the organisation of their time and energy would be better suited into targeting regions with higher birth rates and infant mortality.

However the organisation said the royals should “lead by example” as they have the “resources to cooperatively incentivise other families to plan a fairer start for their own children”.

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