Their bags are packed and their entourage has been assembled – it's nearly time for Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton, to depart for their royal tour of India and Bhutan. And while the royal couple will be excited to head overseas, they are no doubt also feeling some trepidation at the thought of leaving their young children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.William, 33, and Kate, 34, will be away for seven nights, the longest they have been away from their little ones. It was perhaps their motivation for heading off on their first family holiday together last month, during which the couple enjoyed some quality time away with their two children ahead of the tour.
© Photo: PAThe Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will travel without their young children to India and Bhutan
The royals famously decided to take George away with them on their tour of Australia in 2014, but it's thought that was an exception because they were going such a long way and he was so young.
WILLIAM AND KATE'S ITINERARY OF INDIA AND BHUTAN
The little Prince is at school now, and William and Kate were no doubt mindful of disrupting his daily routine. This time, he and his 11-month-old sister will be left at home, in the capable hands of their Spanish nanny Maria Turrion Borrallo, who will also be assisted by their other members of staff and both families, especially the Duchess' mother Carole Middleton.
© Photo: Getty ImagesNanny Maria Turrion Borrallo will care for Prince George and Princess Charlotte
The devoted parents will stay in touch as much as they possibly can, inbetween events – perhaps they will take a leaf out of the Queen's book, and Skype their two children. Just last year, the 89-year-old royal revealed she uses the online video chat service to stay in touch with her granddaughter Zara Phillips.Nanny Maria will also likely be in touch with the couple on a daily basis to keep them updated on the day's events, and might well create a diary for William and Kate to see when they get home, including photos and pictures to show them any special moments they might have missed.
