Seven rules George, Charlotte, and Louis must follow as royal kids

Jody Coffey

It is expected that being in a royal family would come with its own royal style of parenting.

Kate Middleton and Prince William have a number of rules their children, George, Charlotte, and Louis, must adhere to as children of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

These range from the use of electronics, to screen time, playtime, and general activities.

Limited electronics

The royal parents have strict rules for their offspring when it comes to the use of electronics, which includes a ban on iPads, a 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,” the source revealed.

Alternatively, Kate and William prefer their children to be outdoors and do their playing in nature, according to author Louise Heren, who spent a year at the prestigious Norland School for nannies in Bath.

Speaking to Fabulous, Heren said: “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.”

Before the Princess of Wales was pregnancy their eldest child, Prince George, Plum, the organic baby food brand, gifted Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla, a crate of ready-to-eat purees.

However, it was believed they likely were not consumed by Kate, or any other royal baby for that matter, according Queen Elizabeth’s former chef Darren McGrady.

“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?” he told Today.

“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.”

Fussy eating is a big no
As well as only fresh food, the children are not allowed to be picky with their food at mealtimes and are expected to eat everything that is put in front of them without exception, according to an insider.
The source told The Sun that when eating at the exclusive Hurlingham Club in London, the family will 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.”
**Clothing**
When it comes to royal fashion, the family uphold longstanding tradition in the UK in which royal boys don’t wear trousers until about eight years old.
This means that Louis must only don shorts until he comes of age for wearing trousers, and something George followed too until he reached the age of eight.
“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,” Children’s stylist Sophie Mirman told *People.*
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**Schedules**
The royal family stick to a strict schedule when it comes to routines around bedtimes and naps and this is non-negotiable.
The routine, enforced by the family’s nanny, Maria Borrallo, who trained at the prestigious Norland College in Bath, along with the children’s parents, run a tight ship that rarely, if ever, goes off course.
Bedtime takes place at 7pm, new foods are regularly introduced and playtime takes place outside – regardless of the weather – and they do not permitted to attend fancy functions on school nights.
Heren told Fabulous that the children’s upbringing is one of ‘no nonsense.’
“When you see William and Kate go off to a function and the children aren’t with them, they will be having naptime.”
“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.”
[caption id="attachment_433713" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Credit: Jonathan Brady – Pool/Getty Images

Gifts

The Royal Family website states that ‘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.’

This means that things that get a little complicated if the royal kids are gifted presents – they are only allowed to keep gifts if they have a value of £150 or less, and items such as flowers and certain foods are allowed.

All gifts must be used by the Royal Family, used for displays, or given to charity or members of staff, according to the BBC, meaning any gifts the children receive technically belong to the sovereign.

Behaviour

Food, electronics, playtime… it doesn’t end there as George, Charlotte and Louis are expected to follow strict advice on their behaviour when at public events and have received training in preparation, according to Etiquette instructor Myka Meier who told People that the royal children would have received prior training for these public-facing events.

“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 practising 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.”