5 times royal parents have bent the rules for their children
Despite being viewed as examples of model citizens, held to the highest standard, the royal family have been known to bend a rule or two when it comes to their children. The likes of the Prince and Princess of Wales have been spotted breaking protocol and expected tradition for their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, but they usually have a good reason.
Let’s take a look at all the times these royal parents have let their brood do things other children wouldn’t be allowed to…
Prince George and Princess Charlotte in royal box at Wimbledon
While Prince George and Princess Charlotte have been allowed to sit in the exclusive royal box on Centre Court at Wimbledon, children are not usually permitted.
Back in 1999, it was reported that the Duchess of Kent, a keen tennis fan herself, was upset after she asked the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club if she could invite a young guest to sit with her at Wimbledon.
A statement released by then-club chairman John Curry at the time apologised to the Duchess but stood firm on Wimbledon’s rules.
It read: “I regret any unintentional hurt this may have caused to her Royal Highness. Because of demand for space in the royal box, we also ask that, apart from children of the royal family, children are not invited as they exclude other worthy people from attending, many of whom contribute to tennis.”
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Lady Louise Windsor’s Strictly visit
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh’s daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, now 20, is best known for her love of horses, but she clearly also loves dancing.
So much so that the late Queen’s granddaughter and her mother were spotted in the audience of Strictly in November 2018. The trip was a special treat in honour of Louise’s 15th birthday and both she and Sophie were photographed clapping, laughing and having the time of their lives.
Presenter Tess Daly said at the time: “They enjoyed all the action from the front row and they had a great night. It was great to welcome them.”
But was it against the rules? Strictly contestant James Cracknell previously revealed on This Morning that he’s looking forward to his son turning 16 so that he can watch his dad on the dancefloor, suggesting that children under that age aren’t usually allowed. (We won’t tell if you don’t.)
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© GettyPrince George’s first day at school
The then Duke of Cambridge dropped George off for his first day at school in September 2017, with Kate unable to attend as she suffered from severe morning sickness.
The then four-year-old was personally greeted in the playground by the head of the lower school, Helen Haslam, who even shook the young royal’s hand. At the time, Ben Thomas explained: “We are going to try and make this a really happy, safe and secure place.”
It can only be assumed that the personal greeting and extra attention was to ensure that his classmates were not subject to the high media coverage and press frenzy that George was exposed to as he walked through the playground.
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© GettyPrincess Charlotte’s first day at school
And two years later in 2019, Princess Charlotte was given the same special treatment as she arrived at Thomas’s Battersea with her parents. This time, Kate was able to do the school run. The royals were again greeted by the head of lower school, Helen Haslam.
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© GettyPrincess Charlotte and Prince Louis’ visit to the Chelsea Flower Show
The Princess of Wales worked alongside architects Andrée Davies and Adam White for months designing a garden for the Chelsea Flower Show 2019, and the royal couldn’t wait to show her three children the completed design!
The doting mother invited her husband and three children to admire her hard work, with Prince William, George, Charlotte and Louis attending the day before the show opened to public.
At the time the RHS stated on their website: “We regret that we cannot allow under 5s, prams, pushchairs or babes in arms at Chelsea.”
Charlotte was four at the time, while Louis was one.
The current rules still state: “For reasons of comfort and safety children under 5 years are not permitted into the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Children aged 5 years or over are allowed into the RHS Chelsea Flower Show provided that they hold a valid ticket, are with an accompanying adult and comply with the terms and conditions. Babes in arms are permitted, but discouraged due to the unsuitable nature of the environment. Prams, pushchairs and buggies are not permitted in the showground.”
Luckily, mum Kate was on hand to get special permission and the royal children happily attended and clearly enjoyed their time there.
