Kate Middleton's Secret Royal Command: The Four Words That Keep Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in Check
Catherine, Princess of Wales, 42, is known to be "stern but gentle" at the same time when keeping Princes George, 11, and Louis, 6, along with Princes Charlotte, 9, "in line."
To achieve this, Her Royal Highness is said to use a secret, four-word command that lets her children know something is wrong.
"She apparently used a secret code to calm the children, as she does on occasions — she simply says 'let's take a break,'" royal author Tom Quinn revealed when the future queen scolded Louis during a public event in 2022. "But as a former staffer explained, the children know these few words carry far more weight than we might imagine."
While at home, "Shouting is absolutely 'off limits' for the children and any hint of shouting at each other is dealt with by removal," a Wales estate insider revealed.
If any of the royal kids step out of line, spankings and such are forbidden, but Prince William and his future queen employ a more unique approach to discipline.
"The naughty child is taken away from the scene of the row or disruption and talked to calmly by either Kate or William," they added. "Things are explained and consequences outlined and they never shout at them."
The Prince and Princess of Wales have both made it a point to put their three children above everything else — including the Crown. This drastically differs from past royal generations, who lived by the mantra of "duty first." However, the next monarch and consort ensure that this extra attention does not lead to spoiling their children.
"They're raised with an understanding of royal procedures and protocols," Jo Frost of Supernanny told an outlet in February. "And they're raised to understand, there's a time and a place... They have a lovely balance of that and behind closed doors, no doubt they're playing games and winding each other up as siblings do, teasing each other, having fun and baking cookies and being out in nature."
This parental leadership is set to continue in the years to come according to another top analyst.
"It is about letting them express those emotions and sitting down to discuss them with the child, rather than ignoring the turmoil that growing up so often involves," veteran royal commentator Jennie Bond told an outlet in the spring of 2023. "It is fantastic, and I believe Catherine will very much be the leader in this, and William will be the follower, he will have been learning from Catherine how to be a different kind of parent."
Bond concluded: "William benefitted greatly from the extra attention his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, showed him as a kid. But even the late princess and King Charles III put their duties before their parenting. Catherine is determined to avoid this past hallmark of royal life as George, Charlotte, and Louis mature."
Yahoo News! reported on Quinn's remarks.