I have some information on Akhenaten childhood. It is from Akhenaten, King of Egypt by Cyril Aldred pg 259.

"In infancy Prince Amenhotep like his grandfaterh Thutmose IV, chould have entertained little hope that he would ever mount the throne of his ancestors."

It is believed by Aldred that he inherited his elder brother's offices such as the Governor of Memphis and High Priest of Ptah. The office of High Priest held another title "Greatest of Craftsmen". This made him (Ptah's High Priest) responsible for the design of art-works of all kinds. According to Aldred, pg 259, "It may be these aspects of his duties that are referred to by his Chief Architect Ma'nakhtuf, and his Chief sSculptor Bek, when each describes himself as 'the apprentice whom His Majesty taught'."

On pg. 260, Aldred writes, " It would seem, however, that Amenhotep had a palace in the town ( Heliopolis of the None of On).

In Joann Fletcher' book, Chronoicle of a Pharaoh, The Intimate Life of Amenhotep III, pg 108. "The only cetain reference to Prince Amenhotep from his father's reign appears to be on a jar seal inscribed "the estate of the king's son Amenhotep."

I am sorry there isn't more, it is somewhat understandable as a 2nd son, he didn't count for much... as like in Great Britian where it counts if you're the eldest, not a younger.

Regarding your questions about Akhenaten's relationship with his parents. I see no reason to wonder. Even if you do not accept a long or short co-regencey betwee Akhenaten and his father. For the Cult of Aten to have spring full born at the beginning of Akhenaten's reign, with estates, temples, land, priests, theology. Akhenaten had to have the support of his father for this to happen. As for his mother, he built her a suntemple in Akhetaten, made beautiful furnerary gifts for her. The amount of not talked about items relating to both of his parents found in recent years of digging at Akhetaten make it clear to me that he had a pretty good relationship with his parents.

Again there is no "proof" that Ay was AKhenaten's uncle. It is a belief, and when it comes to the Amarna Royal's speculative belief is often accepted as solid evidence. It isn't and should be remembered there is no "proof".

i hope this has been a help.

Did Akhenaten live at the Malkata Palace. This palace located on the western bank of the Nile River. It was built late into the reign of Amenhotep III according to Joann Fletcher's book, Chronicle of a Pharaoh, The Intimate Life of Amenhotep III pg 128.

"At the end of his third decade as king, Amenhotep moved his court permanently to Thebes, where he had built "the palace of the dazzling Aten." Later known by its Arabic name, Malkata, "the place where things are picked up" (because it is littered with ancient debris), the palace stood stood on the Theban West Back below the western hills where the sun set each evening, and directly opposite the king's temple of Luxor. Amenhotep's move to Thebes was in direct contrast with the behavior of previous pharaohs, who had based themelves at the traditional capital of menphis and had only come wouth to Thebes for the annual religious festivals, setting p temporary court in palace building attached to Karnak temple. In constructing an independent palace, not only at the other end of the city from Karnak, but also on the opposite bank of the river, Amenhotep was clearly distancing himself from the Karnak clergy."

Discovered in 1888, the palace is a huge complex sparwling over 30 hectares which was still being added to and emblelished that Amenhotep's death. The king's apartments was located in the southeast section, Queen Tiy's to the south and Sitamun's to the north. There were quarters for the rest of the royal family, numerous royal women, and resiences for hisgh officials and servants.

Now if you don't accept a coregency of any lenght between Amenhotep and his son... there is a possibility that yes, Akhenaten did live for a time at the palace. If he wasn't living in his own estate nearby. However, if you do accept a long period of coregency between father and son. He still may have lived at the palace but the lenght of time shorten because he did move his capital city to Akhetaten, in the 5th year of his reign and settled there about his 9th year.

So where might have Akhenaten grew up? The royal palace at Gurob is a good possibility. It was the palace that Amenhotep had lived at as a young boy. It is located in the southwest of el-Lahun in the Fayuum oasis, on the edge of he desert. It is often referred to as a harem palace. One of Amenhotep's favored guardians came from this area. Then Akhenaten might have grown up in Memphis... i think Gurob is more likely because in Queen Tiy's later years it was one of her favorites.

Thanks Sekhmet for explaining that . I know comparing the names really would not make since really because Tiy and Kiya kind of sound the same (so they are related). So is Nefertiti Ay's daughter? And what proof is there even of that. I once read thet Tiy was the nickname for Nefertiti I forgot where I read this but it is confusing because they do not sound or look the same at all?

Thank You, again Sekhmet for helping me to futher understand.

I guess most egyptologists do a huge amount educated guessing.I bet that is where Tiy as the nick-name of Nefertiti did come from it makes sense , and the Tiy Nefertiti nick-name thing does not.

Egyptogists also do not have much to work with. Because alot of the evidence has been erased over time. So people can think one thing and then someone finds one tomb or artifact that chances everything.It must be a hard job.