Prince William, 40, and Kate Middleton, 41, reportedly have “one strict household rule” for their children. While their children, Prince George, 9, Princess Charlotte, 7, and Prince Louis, 4, are all quite well-behaved in the public eye, their house is a bit more on the relaxed side when it comes to rules. In fact, sources told The Sun that William and Kate only have “one strict household rule.”
Prince William And Kate Middleton Only Have One Strict Household Rule For Their Kids
No yelling—that's a royal decree! Unsurprisingly, growing up in the public eye as part of the royal family involves a lot of rules, especially when they're at events like the upcoming coronation of King Charles III. But above all, the Prince and Princess of Wales desire an open line of communication with their children.
That said, the family of five knows there is "one strict household rule" that can't be forgotten—no yelling or shouting. According to The Sun, a source reportedly says that while the "children are encouraged to talk about their feelings," communication is paused when voices are raised.
"Shouting is absolutely 'off limits' for the children and any hint of shouting at each other is dealt with by removal," the source told The Sun in June 2020. And, William and Kate also take moments of "removal" as a way to talk through feelings on a "chat sofa."
A "chat sofa" is the couple's way of calling "time out." But, instead of the children having alone time to wallow in their thoughts and feelings in time out, a parent will help them understand what happened on the chat sofa.
The no-shouting rule also applies to the Prince and Princess of Wales, especially when discussing a tantrum. "They are 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 insider explained.
A different Sun source explained that the family's discipline rule helps Prince William, Princess Kate, and the young royals are on the same team. "There is no question of one parent saying 'no' and the other saying 'yes' later on as Kate and William want to present a unified parental front to their children," the source explained.
Overall, the no-shouting rule and chat sofa are meant to accomplish one thing: understanding. "They express their concerns over school subjects, a swimming class, a tricky ballet [maneuver], a missed tennis rally … But a talk ensues and a solution found," the source added.
