While at home, the Princess of Wales and her husband Prince William reportedly have one firm household rule that their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis must stick to

The Princess of Wales with her three children (
Image: PA)

With 2024 in full swing, the Prince and Princess of Wales will be firmly getting back to work after their Christmas break.

Their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are now all back at Lambrook School for the winter term with William and Kate nearly always carrying out the school run each morning and afternoon. The couple juggle their now increased royal responsibilities with bringing up their three youngsters.

Although they do have the help of a nanny, the royal couple is still very hands-on with their children and are said to love taking part in activities such as bike riding and baking. But it’s not all fun and games for George, Charlotte and Louis as William and Kate reportedly lay down some household rules at their home Adelaide Cottage in Windsor – including one that must be adhered to at all times.

And according to a source, this rule is one they are strict on following – there is to be no shouting in the house. The insider told the Sun : “Shouting is absolutely ‘off limits’ for the children and any hint of shouting at each other is dealt with by removal.”

But rather than be sent off to their bedrooms or to the naughty step when they act up, the royal couple have a different technique – the sofa chat. The source added: “The naughty child is taken away from the scene of the row or disruption and talked to calmly by either Kate or William. Things are explained and consequences outlined and they never shout at them.”

The children have returned to Lambrook School following the Christmas holidays ( 
Image:
PA)
The return to reality for the Wales family comes after Kate celebrated her birthday last after turning 42. It was seemingly a low-key affair – even though she is said to love an excuse for a party. And according to a royal expert, her special day will have been spent surrounded by her family – with no fancy presents in sight. Kate, who was born in 1982, grew up in Bucklebury, Berkshire, and went to the private boarding school Marlborough College. She met Prince William in 2001 while studying art history at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.

And it might have been that she headed back to her childhood village to mark turning 42, according to editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, Ingrid Seward. She told the Mirror : “Family life has always been central for the Princess of Wales and she loves an excuse to celebrate. Her 42nd birthday – her second as Princess of Wales – is a good reason to do so, but no details will be released. Traditionally the royals only celebrate milestone birthdays with the public so we might have to wait until Catherine is 45.

“Catherine’s mum Carole frequently joins the princess in school day afternoons to watch George, Charlotte and Louis playing football, so she may scoop them all up for an after-school party at the Middleton family home, Bucklebury Manor. The seven-bedroom Georgian house is perfect for parties and all the Middleton siblings live nearby – James and his wife Alizee and their new baby and also sister, Pippa and her children with husband, James Matthews.

“Catherine loves home-crafted gifts and will not be expecting anything extravagant. But the Prince of Wales will produce something special such as an image from one of the iconic photographers admired by his wife, which are highly collectable.”

A version of this story was first published on January 15, 2024.