Inside relatable Prince William’s dad life with George, Charlotte & Louis – his secret house rule & go-to bedtime book
HE may be the future king – but Prince William’s number one job is looking after his adorable kids.
The Prince of Wales, 41, is often praised for being a hands-on, down-to-earth dad to George, 10, Charlotte, nine, and six-year-old Louis.
Royal biographer Claudia Joseph told Fabulous: “I think William has learned very much from the Middleton clan about how to be a father and how to be a parent.
“Although obviously he looks back to his childhood with Princess Diana and the fun they had.”
Here, we reveal his relatable parenting style – and some clever tricks Wills has up his sleeve…
Sweet bedtime routine
Prince William attended a Buckingham Palace Garden Party this week and let slip an adorable detail about his bedtime routine with Prince Louis.
The future king was given a copy of a children’s book by budding author Rowan Aderyn, and said “This is great, so inspirational.
“I’ll read this to Louis tonight at bedtime.”
Claudia added: “There’s a strict bedtime it’s around seven o’clock but William is very much involved in bath time and reading.
“We know that when they were little the children loved the Gruffalo and as they’re getting older, their tastes have changed and William revealed recently that they love Julia Donaldson’s Room on the Broom.”
Strict house rule
Prince William and Kate Middleton have a strict rule around the house that they and the children must follow – no shouting.
An insider previously told Fabulous: “Shouting is absolutely ‘off limits’ for the children and any hint of shouting at each other is dealt with by removal.”
Sleep guru
Getting young kids to sleep through the night can be a struggle, but Prince William has an effective tip.
A source revealed: “Wills would turn the bathroom taps on so George, who was a notoriously bad and light sleeper, drifted off to the sound of running water.
“He employed exactly the same technique with Charlotte, which had the desired effect in no time.”
Focuses on manners
In the past, the family have enjoyed playing away from the Palace at the £1,280-a-year Hurlingham Club in Fulham.
A member revealed that the children always behave “impeccably” during any visits.
They said: “The family often dine there al fresco and use the club’s sporting and play facilities.
“There are 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.”
Claudia added: “He [William] looks back to his childhood with Princess Diana and the fun they had.
“But he knows that he is producing a future heir and a couple of extras.
“I think he’s very conscious that the children need to have good manners.”
Sporting dad
Sports-mad William often includes his kids in his passion for football and we’ve seen him cheering on his beloved Aston Villa with Prince George recently.
Meanwhile, both George and Charlotte have been to watch Wimbledon in the Royal Box – and last year watched the Men’s Final between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic.
Claudia added: “William and Kate have taken the children on all sorts of fun days.
“All parents share their passions with their children and William and Kate are no exception.
“You’re not going to see them, taking their children to things that they are not interested in.”
Reassures kids in public with gesture
Prince William will often be seen holding the hands of his children when they are out, and this can sometimes be down to helping to reassure them or for security.
A source said: “One parenting policy is child handholding in public.
“Kate takes Charlotte’s hand, William with George and they alternate with Louis.
“William’s mantra is ‘look interested at all times’ out in public.
“The children when getting fidgety are offered a mini treat when home if they comply — usually something outdoorsy — and some home-made ice cream to follow.”
Speaking of Kate’s “secret code”, author Tom Quinn wrote in his book Gilded Youth: An Intimate History of Growing Up In The Royal Family: “When Prince Louis misbehaved at the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, for example, by sticking his tongue out at his mother, Kate’s reaction was praised by teams of expert commentators.
“She [Kate] apparently used a secret code to calm the children, as she does on occasions – she simply says, ‘Let’s take a break’.”
Naughty step is banned
Prince William is said to have banned the “naughty step” in their royal home, and instead use a “chat sofa” for their kids.
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.”
Carpool karaoke
He may be the future monarch, manage a £1billion property portfolio and have state visits to attend, but William is present for his kids.
It is understood William has frequently been doing the school run while Kate recovers from her cancer diagnosis and is “at ease with his growing trio of noisy, boisterous children.”
He will even sing to the kids as he takes them to their £8,200-a-term Lambrook school.
The source said: “He will often test them on homework, sing a song or play I Spy en route.”
According to Hello! magazine, Kate and Wills, often take part in all school activities and even ‘queued up’ ”for the tombola” in a recent fundraising drive.
Meanwhile Katie Nicholl told OK! Magazine: “They try to schedule royal engagements as much as they can around George and Charlotte’s schedules – football practice and gymnastics clubs and playdates with cheesy pasta.”
Puts their mental health first
Being in the public eye, watched by millions can’t be an easy upbringing.
Claudia added that Prince William, who knows first hand what it is like to grow up as a future monarch, is conscious of this.
She added he is keen that his kids know “how to behave in public” but added that his main concern is their well-being.
Kate Middleton's 'golden rule' with George, Charlotte and Louis
KATE'S key rule for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis is about kindness.
According to HELLO! Online’s Royal Correspondent: “Based on observations of photographs of Princess Diana at the time, and the current Princess of Wales, they are both very affectionate with their children.
“Kate is often seen holding her children’s hands or picking them up for cuddles when they were smaller.
“There are often lots of comforting gestures, such as a pat on the back or stroking their hair. When interacting with other children on her public engagements, Kate often crouches down to their level to engage with them – something that Diana would often do.”
When she’s at the family’s home of Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, despite her royal status, insiders say Kate is just like any other “normal mum”.
A friend explained that behind closed doors, the 42-year-old is “very chilled at home” but definitely not a pushover and will tell the kids off when needed.
They told PEOPLE: “It’s a normal, busy family home with kids running around and knocking things over. There’s no airs and graces.
“She is doing that to help her children be more grounded and keep their reality in check. That’s what really matters to her.”
The royal expert said William knows “their mental health is incredibly important.”
Claudia continued: “I think William and Kate’s focus is always on emotional health and the well being of their children.
“Hence the focus on the great outdoors. It’s a great stress reliever and they spend a lot of time out and about on their bikes and playing with animals. Gardening, you name it. They’re always outside.”
Gets kids doing chores
Despite growing up around palaces, William is said to enforce chores around the home in return for rewards, according to a royal expert.
“I’d imagine they’ll have all the children doing chores like laying the table for dinner in return for pocket money or rewards like screen time,” Katie said..
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Helped with nappies
The family may have hired a highly trained Norland nanny for the kids, but William has always been keen to get stuck into parenting duties.
A source added: “William changed Prince George’s nappy in the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital, London, after he was born.
“He is not squeamish and has changed nappies for all of his three children, even in the back of his Range Rover when there has been an ‘unexpected accident’.”
Relatable dinner
The trickiest part of being a parent is dinner time, William has admitted.
Speaking on Zoom to community chef Charlie Farrally from the Scottish charity Peek Project, he said the success of his family meal “depends on what’s on the table”.
He continued: “If parents put something on that children love, dinner time goes on very well.
“But if you put something on the table they don’t want to do, that’s another ball game.”