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The Wales family at Lambrook School© Pool

Unexpected royal playtime rule Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis have to follow

Prince William and Princess Kate's children enjoy playtime at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor

Katie Daly
Lifestyle Writer
May 10, 2024
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It is no secret that there are a plethora of century-old rules that royals have to follow and there is no exception made for the royal children.

It is well known that Prince William and Princess Kate's children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, have to be on their best behaviour on public engagements. 

Prince George, Prince William, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Catherine stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the Platinum Pageant on June 5, 2022 in London, England© Getty
Prince George, Prince Louis, and Princess Charlotte are William and Kate's young children

Princess Charlotte was known to follow her mother in curtseying to the late Queen, while the future monarch Prince George has followed his parents on a royal tour of New Zealand and Australia as per protocol. 

William, Kate and George on royal tour of Australia, 2014© Getty
George's first royal tour to Australia and New Zealand in 2014

But it seems the royal children are also bound by rules and procedure when they are kicking back at their home at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor. 

The children's royal rule

When not with the Prince and Princess of Wales, the children are cared for by their Norland nanny, Maria Borrallo. As well as teaching the Wales kids Spanish, Maria runs a tight ship that includes daily outside playtime, regardless of the weather. 

"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," revealed Louise Heren, the author of Nanny in a Book, adding: "If it is tipping it down, they will still go out."

Norland Nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo talks to Queen Elizabeth II in 2015© Getty
Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo pictured with Queen Elizabeth II

It may come as a surprise that the royal children will head out in the rain for a mud-drenched playtime as they always look perfectly put together at public engagements.

Princess Charlotte of Cambridge and Theodora Williams accompanied by Princess Charlotte's nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo© Getty
Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo has been a loyal employee of the Prince and Princess of Wales since 2014

However, Princess Kate has established herself as a warm mother, evident from her affectionate public interactions with her children. 

Kate cuddling Charlotte and sitting next to George at polo match, 2018© Getty
Kate is an affectionate mother

Danielle Stacey, HELLO! Online's Royal Correspondent has previously said: "Kate is often seen holding her children's hands or picking them up for cuddles when they were smaller," she continues. "There are often lots of comforting gestures, such as a pat on the back or stroking their hair."

Their love of the outdoors

Their being allowed to engage in outside play aligns nicely with their enthusiasm for the Scouts movement. The Scout Association website says that the organisation "engages and supports young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society."

Prince George got stuck in during a visit to the 3rd Upton Scouts Hut in Slough back in 2023 © Getty Images
Prince George got stuck in during a visit to the 3rd Upton Scouts Hut in Slough back in 2023

In 2019, the Princess paid a visit to the Scouts' headquarters in Gilwell Park, Essex where she learned about a new pilot scheme bringing Scouting to younger children. 

mother and son using wheelbarrow © Getty
Prince Louis got to grips with a wheelbarrow as he helped his mother at the Big Help Out

Kate led by example, crawling into leaf-covered tents and trying her hand at archery while taking part in the Big Help Out, during a visit to the 3rd Upton Scouts Hut in Slough in 2023. 

Princess Kate in woodland tent© Getty
Princess Kate loves to get outdoors

Prince William opened up about his children's passion for the outdoors in the 2020 documentary Prince William: A Planet For Us All. Speaking on what ignites a fire in him to carry out his environmental work, the Prince said: Seeing my children, seeing the passion in their eyes and the love for being outdoors. They find a bug or they love watching how bees are forming honey."

Catherine speaking to young Scouts© Getty
The royal visited The Scouts HQ to learn more about the organisation's new pilot

DISCOVER: 7 strict rules the royal family have to follow on social media 

The father-of-three added: "George, particularly, if he’s not outdoors, he’s quite like a caged animal. He needs to get outside."

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