After years of living as one of the most closely protected families in the world, Michael Jackson's three children are to attend school for the first time.
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.
"I'd say I'm a little less strict, but I've 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.
"But they don't have friends. They don't go to school. They have private lessons at home. They'll 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 Michael's 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 Michael's 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 Michael's death, although she has no control over his estate, which is held in a trust fund.
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 you're 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 Friday's anniversary, Katherine has put together a collection of Jackson family photographs, in Never Can Say Goodbye: the Katherine Jackson Archives.
‘Choked up'
She says: "I love looking at photos of my children singing and dancing together, when they looked happy. Not a day goes by I don't think about Michael."
"It's hard for me to talk about without getting all choked up. Years will pass by and I'll still feel the same way. I have a nephew I am very close to who I've leaned on a lot. Prayer has helped me. I don't 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. I'll never forget the way he was smiling when I opened each one. He was so generous. He'd give you the shirt off his back.
"I want the world to know the real Michael. All these allegations in the tabloids, it's all rubbish.
"People with children will under-stand how I feel when somebody says something ugly about my son, especially when it's not true.
"That's why I'm releasing the book. I'd like him to be remembered as the loving person he was. People can't understand it because of the child molestation claims falsely laid on him. It's just greedy people who wanted money."
A year on from his death, Michael's 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 I've never seen my son in anyway... even talking to him on the phone, he was always himself.
"I hope people continue to remember Michael and keep celebrating his legacy. His death has already brought the family closer together. I want us to be even more close.
"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."
The three children have been deeply affected, says Katherine Jackson. Paris has created a shrine to her father Michael Jackson 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 she's very good at it. She's 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 Michael's sense of playfulness.
