FROM jetting off on luxury holidays to attending a top school and living in a palace, there’s no doubt that royal life comes with a lot of perks.
But for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – who returned to class last week at Lambrook School – royal life comes at a price and there’s a strict set of rules they must adhere to.
7
7
7
From Kate and William’s iPad ban to strict mealtime rules, here we take a close-up look at the restrictions on the young royal kids.
Bad Apple? Kate’s iPad ban
It turns out that there isn’t much screen time for George, Charlotte and Louis.
According to an insider, Prince William and Kate’s parenting style centres around playtime and creative activities rather than the use of electronics, including a ban on iPads.
The source told Us Weekly: “They’re very much seen as mummy and daddy’s toys, not for children.
“As two people who grew up without gadgets for entertainment themselves, William and Kate are firm believers in toys, outdoor play and encouraging an active imagination.”
Also, according to author Louise Heren, who spent a year at the prestigious Norland School for nannies in Bath, where the Cambridge’s nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion, was trained, the kids spend a lot of time in nature.
Louise told Fabulous: “There will be lots and lots of outdoor play… lots of bike rides, playing with their dogs, potentially some gardening.
“Yes you are getting mucky with your hands in the soil but you are learning how to plant.”
Bin the junk! Packaged foods are a big no no
When William and Kate were expecting their first child, Prince George, the organic baby food brand Plum gifted the Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla, a crate of ready-to-eat purees.
However, the Queen’s former chef Darren McGrady told Today that it was unlikely to be consumed by the Prince.
He said: “I’ve certainly never seen packaged food with any of the royal babies.
“Why would they buy packaged food when the queen has 20 personal chefs?”
The chef then explained that when William and Harry were youngsters, their first meals were puréed steamed apples and pears, which were strained twice to eliminate all lumps.
The chef continued: “As they got older, you’d have one chef in the kitchen doing the chicken, one doing the veg, and then it would all be blended together; it was a major operation cooking for them.”
Five-a-day: Fussy eating not allowed
Not only is packaged foods off the cards, but while many children might be picky at mealtimes, such royal treatment doesn’t apply to how choosy George, Charlotte and Louis can be about the food they’re given.
An insider told The Sun that the children are expected to eat everything that’s on their plates without exception.
When eating at the exclusive Hurlingham Club in London, the source said: “The family often dine there al fresco and use the club’s sporting and play facilities.
“There is no tantrums or food throwing and the children eat what is set before them.
“They queue up with the rest of the kids and parents in the Harness Room restaurant and ask for no special favours.”
George can wear trousers, but it’s shorts for Louis for now
You may be surprised to know that there’s a fashion rule that George can skip but Louis must adhere to.
There’s a longstanding tradition in the UK in which royal boys don’t wear trousers until about eight-years-old.
It’s common in aristocratic English circles to see young boys in shorts and high socks for the first several years of their lives, and this has been no different for George and Louis.
Children’s stylist Sophie Mirman told People: “I think it’s definitely a look for the royals, and there is this rather strange thing in English schools where children have to wear shorts, even in the winter, with their freezing cold knees — it’s almost like an unwritten code.”
However, in July 2021, when George was seven, he joined William and Kate as they watched the UEFA Euro 2020 Championships. There, George wore a suit and tie to the event – huge style moment for the little lad.
Mirman applauded William and Kate’s choice to dress George in more formalwear, as she continued: “I think his parents are fantastic at judging what to wear and when. He is growing up fast and more of a young man than a little boy now.”
No nonsense: Never skip a nap or steer away from strict schedules
When it comes to day-to-day life for the young royal kids, it turns out that they don’t have much say in negotiating their schedules.
Their rigorous routine is enforced by the family’s nanny, Maria Borrallo, who trained at the prestigious Norland College in Bath, an institution famous for its exceptional pedagogy in child care.
It’s been reported that Maria, alongside William and Kate, ensure that the Wales children have a consistent daily routine.
Louise Heren explained what life is like for the children, as she told Fabulous of the children’s “no nonsense” upbringing.
She claimed: “When you see William and Kate go off to a function and the children aren’t with them, they will be having naptime.”
Not only this, but bedtime takes place at 7pm, new foods are regularly introduced and playtime takes place outside – come rain or shine.
Louise said: “There will be no messing. That’s because Maria will be aware that as they step off planes, holding mum’s hands, smiling and waving to the crowds, there can’t be any crying or tantrums.”
Not only this, but even for the royal lads, school nights are school nights and they aren’t allowed to go to fancy functions.
Fans discovered this when William and Kate attended a production of Marry Poppins at the London Palladium Theatre in November 2019.
The royal couple got to meet the cast, and it was during this meet and greet that Kate told the cast that her kids wanted to come but the rule was “not on a school night,” as reported by the Mirror.
All present and correct: Gifts must not be kept
When it comes to gifts from members of the public, it’s a tricky subject for royal kids like George, Charlotte and Louis.
According to royal protocol, when it comes to receiving presents things can get pretty complicated.
The Royal Family website reads: “Gifts offered by private individuals living in the UK not personally known to the Member of the Royal Family should be refused where there are concerns about the propriety or motives of the donor or the gift itself.”
Reportedly, the royals are only allowed to keep hold of gifts sent by the public if their value is less than £150, and items like flowers and certain foods are permitted.
According to the BBC, all gifts must be used by the Royal Family, used for displays, or given to charity or members of staff.
When George and Louis receive gifts while on an official royal engagement, the gift technically belongs to the sovereign.
However, gifts given by family members do not fall under this strict rule. When Louis was christened, his uncle Prince Harry allegedly shelled out £8,000 to get a first edition of A. A. Milne’s “Winnie the Pooh.”
A sourced revealed to The Mirror: “One of Harry’s happiest childhood memories was being read a bedtime story by his mother.
“She loved all the old classics and Harry had the brilliant idea of starting a little library of first editions for Louis, Charlotte and George to enjoy as they get older.
“He originally wanted to get Lewis Carroll’s Through The Looking Glass, which was on sale for £24,000, but decided Winnie The Pooh would be more suitable for a first time.”
Best behaviour at all times… or not for Louis!
Not only are the little ones expected to follow rules about the food they consume, but they’re also supposed to follow strict advice on their behaviour when at public events.
For George, Charlotte and Louis, training for public events began when they were very young.
The conversation around royal children’s behaviour in public was amplified around the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, since George and Charlotte, were given such prominent roles.
Etiquette instructor Myka Meier told People that the royal children would have received prior training for these public-facing events.
She explained: “Etiquette training for the royals starts as soon as they’re old enough to sit at a table.
“They are raised having formal meals, going to formal events and practicing everything from voice levels to dressing appropriately to even, of course, how to curtsy and bow.
“The children in the wedding would have been very well prepared through rehearsals and even learned wedding specific behaviour and protocol.”
But of course, things don’t always go according to plan.
Louis famously stole the show at the Platinum Jubilee in June 2022 with his several quirky facial expressions and has since kept the public entertained at the King’s Coronation earlier this year.
7
7
7
7