Princess Charlotte is most likely already learning everything she needs to know in order to prepare herself for a lifetime of serving the Crown. There are many rules, including etiquette and history, that she must learn.
But while there are many things she needs to know, there are also some things she can’t do. Charlotte, who is third in the line of succession, will know that some things are not possible, and at the same time, William and Kate have set up plenty of rules at home to give them what they believe is the best possible childhood.
But it’s not just rules that the royal children have to learn not to break. In fact, William and Kate have decided to ban some things from their home. Charlotte and her two brothers are simply not allowed to have these things – which other children might get.
Prince Charlotte and her brothers, Prince George and Prince Louis, attend the same school. A summer of fun is over; now, everyday life with school is back. Lambrook is just a short walk away from the family’s home of Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor grounds, and when at school, they can do many fun activities. It includes playing plenty of sports, and we know the royal children play all sorts of sports outside of school.
Kate reveals new details of royal children’s sports interest
A couple of years ago, Princess Kate was reportedly very worried when Prince George showed interest in a sport she wasn’t entirely comfortable with. Tennis has also been a significant family activity, especially for the Princess of Wales, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Kate is actually the royal patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, and the family is often seen watching the Wimbledon finals from their royal box.
Meanwhile, rugby and polo are two classic sports for the royal family. And in fact, there is a professional rugby player in the family. Mike Tindall, husband to Zara Tindall, Princess Anne’s daughter, represented England for many years, and today, he has his podcast named The Good, The Bad & The Rugby. In fact, just days ago, the Prince and Princess of Wales even appeared on their cousin-in-law’s podcast and spoke about their children.
While William and Kate love that their children are playing sports and being active, they revealed how they have tried teaching Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis a critical life lesson: How to lose.
“Learning to lose, which I think we’ve got to concentrate more on nowadays,” William said. “I think people don’t know how to lose well. Talking about our children particularly, I want to make sure they understand that.”
He added that his children – and others – can “grow” from not winning.
“I think it’s really important from a young age to understand how to lose, and why we lose, and to grow from it and what you learn from that process,” the Prince of Wales said. “But also, to win well and not boast. There’s so many life lessons that help us all through life, in friendship building, in relationship building, workplace, that you gain from those early years of playing team sport.”
Princess Kate revealed how her children are trying out many different sports. Also, “they are all obviously very different temperaments.”
Rules Princess Charlotte must learn
Besides her tennis interests, Princess Charlotte plays both rugby and football.
“It’s really good to see youngsters, particularly girls, playing these types of sports now,” she said, continuing to explain how physical activity is something she learned as very important already as a child.
“[My parents] always encouraged us to be physically active and sporty, and they always encouraged us into doing team sports and trying things,” Kate said.
While George, Charlotte, and Louis might have a hot temper while playing sports, being friendly and polite is evident as members of the royal family.
Even though the kids are still very young, they are already being taught many things to be prepared when their time comes. For example, the royal children don’t eat with their older family members for official dinners or holidays.
According to the former royal chef Darren McGrady, who worked for both the late Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana, the rule is to ensure the royal children learn the importance of “polite conversation.”
Moreover, McGrady told the news outlet that Princess Charlotte and her two siblings wouldn’t be sitting with their parents before they learn. Instead, they would typically eat with their nannies in the nursery.
“The children always ate in the nursery until they were old enough to conduct themselves properly at the dining table,” he told Harper’s Bazaar.
According to the former royal chef, the nanny’s job was to “educate” the royal children.
“The royal nursery wasn’t just for educating the minds of the young royals but educating their palates, too,” McGrady said. “Nanny always had control of the menu and made sure they ate balanced meals that included not only lots of healthy vegetables but introduced them to new grown-up dishes too.”
What does the royal children eat?
Even though the royals learn how to eat and what to talk about, the food itself is also essential. Prince William and Prince Harry were “bribed” to learn how to eat vegetables. Still, their mother knew they loved fast food, just like other children, and even snuck them out to get McDonald’s.
When giving their children the best types of food, William and Kate have had one rigorous rule.
Packaged food is a big no-no. When George was born, an organic baby food company gave the Prince and Princess of Wales a crate of ready-to-go-eat purees. But most likely, they were never used, just like Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
He said: “I’ve certainly never seen packaged food with any of the royal babies,” former royal chef Darren McGrady told Today.
“Why would they buy packaged food when the queen has 20 personal chefs?”
McGrady added, “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.”
Meanwhile, even though the royal children get the best possible food, one might not like everything. Just as any other person, some things taste better than others, and we all have different preferences of what that is.
However, in the case of the royal children, the words “I don’t like it” don’t exist.
According to a The Sun insider, George, Charlotte, and Louis are all expected to eat whatever they are served, and that is without exception.
William and Kate have banned iPads at home
One time, Wiliam, Kate, and their children stopped by the exclusive Hurlingham Club in London. A source told The Sun that the family often “dine there al fresco” and also use the club’s play and sporting facilities.
George, Charlotte, and Louis have already learned how to handle themselves around the table.
“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 favors,” the insider told The Sun.
With so much money, one might imagine William and Kate’s home is full of the most luxurious things, everything from expensive furniture to the latest and flashiest televisions, computers, mobile phones, and tablets. However, that is not entirely true.
Sure, William and Kate want to give their children a normal childhood. And that includes – what some children would say is cruel – a complete ban on, for example, iPads.
An insider told Us Weekly that William and Kate have focused their parenting style around creative activities and playtime rather than just handing their children an iPad to sit and watch on the couch.
“They’re very much seen as mummy and daddy’s toys, not for children,” the source told Us Weekly.
“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.”
A normal childhood for Charlotte and her siblings includes many fun toys and stuffed animals for them to play with. The Prince and Princess of Wales have indeed bought many stuffed animals and other toys over the years, but the young children have also been getting them as presents from well-wishers and other members of the public.
Why George, Charlotte, and Louis can’t always keep gifts
When on engagements or walkabouts, it’s common for the royal family to receive many gifts. However, even though it might be a teddy bear suitable for Charlotte or any of her brothers, the children don’t get to decide if they can keep it. So, who does? King Charles.
According to the Daily Record, a strict rule denies Princess Charlotte, her siblings, or William and Kate, for that matter, the right to “own” gifts that are presented to them. According to the news outlet, they have a seven-page handbook regarding receiving gifts, for example, what they can accept, what they must return, and so on.
In other words, a teddy bear given to, for example, William and Kate to be given to Charlotte is not theirs per the rule. It automatically belongs to King Charles.
“Gifts are defined as official when received during an official engagement or duty or in connection with the official role or duties of a member of The Royal Family,” the rule guidance states
“Official gifts are not the private property of the Member of The Royal Family who receives them but are instead received in an official capacity in the course of official duties in support of, and on behalf of The King.”
So, King Charles owns all the gifts given to royal family members, per the rule. However, in reality, we believe that he is a very loving grandpa who ensures that his grandchildren will receive these beautiful gifts.
However, before a gift can be handed over to the royal children, they must undergo a strict security test. Firstly, they are registered on an official “gift receive form,” the Daily Record reports. Secondly, the security test proceeds and it can be handed over if it passes inspection.
At the same time, for any gift valued under £150, the royal family members can hand it to an aide or give it to any charity they like.
If you found this article interesting, perhaps you’d like to read about King Charles and Queen Camilla’s intimate bedroom routine.
