Michael Jackson's children to go to school for first time
After years of living as one of the most closely protected families in the world, Michael Jacksons three children are to attend school for the first time.
In an emotional interview to mark the first anniversary of the singers death, their grandmother and guardian Katherine Jackson has told The Mail on Sunday that she is determined to give Prince, Paris and Blanket a more conventional upbringing.
Until now, they have been taught at home, in keeping with Michael s policy of keeping them largely hidden from the outside world.
Id say Im a little less strict but Ive tried to follow the way Michael was raising them, she says in her first interview since he died of a suspected heart attack on June 25 last year at his Los Angeles home.
But they dont have friends. They dont go to school. They have private lessons at home. Theyll be going to a private school in September for the first time.
The 80-year-old great-grandmother laughs at the idea the children could ever have a wholly normal life, but says they have a healthy routine of daily schoolwork, karate and swimming.
She says there is hardly a day without visits from members of her extended family to her home in Los Angeles. Having them around has helped the children immensely. They go places together and have fun. They listen to Michaels music.
Katherine has come under media scrutiny again in recent weeks after reported comments by her husband, Joe Jackson, who said she was in part responsible for Michaels death a sentiment he has now retracted.
And last week her youngest son, Randy, was rushed to hospital with a heart attack, but he seems to be recovering.
Throughout, however, she says her priority has been caring for her grandchildren Prince, 13, Paris, 12, and Blanket, eight.
Katherine was made their legal guardian in the weeks following Michaels death, although she has no control over his estate, which is held in a trust fund.
The three children have been deeply affected, she says. Paris has created a shrine to him in her bedroom. I wanted to hang pictures of flowers or ballerinas, like I would expect a girl would.
But she went into the closet and she brought out seven or eight pictures of Michael and said, No, I want Daddy hanging in my room. I always want to see him.
So she goes to bed looking at him and wakes up looking at him. Paris has that lovely way like Michael, and I see his talent in her. Whatever she does shes very good at it. Shes a good artist and plays the piano. She wants to be an actress.
Katherine believes all three share something of Michael. Prince is interested in the arts, hoping to be a film producer, while Blanket has his sense of playfulness.
She says it was some time after Michael took Prince and Paris to a concert to celebrate his 30th anniversary as a solo entertainer in 2001 that they began to understand how famous he was.
Michael told me a story. He said the two little ones were in the audience. When he got backstage they said, So youre a big star, huh? When I grow up I want to be just like you! And Michael said he got the biggest chuckle out of that.
To help her face up to Fridays anniversary, Katherine has put together a collection of Jackson family photographs, in Never Can Say Goodbye: The Katherine Jackson Archives.
She says: I love looking at photos of my children singing and dancing together, when they looked happy. Not a day goes by I dont think about Michael.
Its hard for me to talk about without getting all choked up. Years will pass by and Ill still feel the same way. I have a nephew I am very close to who Ive have leaned on a lot. Prayer has helped me. I dont have any regrets. I just live for the children.
She continues: Michael was so misunderstood. I remember when he brought gifts up to the house for me: a watch, a necklace and ring. Ill never forget the way he was smiling when I opened each one. He was so generous. Hed give you the shirt off his back.
I want the world to know the real Michael. All these allegations in the tabloids, its all rubbish.
People with children will understand how I feel when somebody says something ugly about my son, especially when its not true. Thats why Im releasing the book. Id like him to be remembered as the loving person he was.
'People cant understand it because of the child molestation claims falsely laid on him. Its just greedy people who wanted money.
A year on from his death, Michaels mother does not accept he died of natural causes.
He was too young for that, but something happened. I heard from people he was taking prescription drugs but Ive never seen my son in any way . . . even talking to him on the phone, he was always himself.
I never asked him about that as he was always normal. I dont think he just died of natural causes. I dont believe that. It was someone who was watching over him . . . and he died. If I could see him again I would ask him, Who did this to you?
One thing I hope for is the next year will be better for me and the family. I hope people continue to remember Michael and keep celebrating his legacy. I hope that things get better for me in time. His death has already brought the family closer together. I want us to be even more close.
I try not to regret. I try not to think like that because I dont think Michael would have had his life any other way. Sometimes I start to tear up.
But I am happy about it because I know the world is missing and remembering my son. I could see the fans taking pictures, posing in front of the house. I know Michael would have been happy to see that. I just miss him every day.
* Never Can Say Goodbye: The Katherine Jackson Archives, containing unseen personal and family photos of Michael with a commentary from his mother, is available now from Jackson-secretvault.com. Mail on Sunday readers can claim a 35 per cent discount until June 30 by quoting the code MJUK. Sales proceeds will be split between Katherine, Michaels children and the charity Voices Against Brain Cancer
I got to see Michael's star, and I'll post pics as soon as I can 
I bet you had a blast!
