Kate Middleton's subtle signal to get her kids to behave that wowed parents

11 December 2023 , 11:16

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Kate's approach to parenting has been carefully analysed (Image: PA)

You've got to hand it to the Princess of Wales. She exudes elegance and poise of all public engagements - even when she is also wrangling three young children.

Kate is a very proud mum to Prince George, ten, Princess Charlotte, eight, and little Prince Louis, who is five. Her youngest has an especially cheeky personality - fans can always count on playful Louis to amuse onlookers with his enthusiasm and meme-worthy facial expressions, whether he's enjoying an outing with his family or out on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

And, with the eyes of the world on them, Kate still manages to keep her children on their best behaviour, while also allowing their individual personalities to shine through.

Prince Louis was his typical cheeky self while riding in the carriage (AFP via Getty Images)

One perfect example of this came in June when the Waleses stepped out together for Trooping the Colour, with Kate and Queen Camilla riding in the carriage with the three children. Body language expert Judi James commented on Kate's parenting at the time and praised the Princess for her approach.

She said: "Kate's firm but subtle signals ensure the children keep feeling enthusiastic and, in Louis' case, excited. She beamed with pride when Louis started miming drumming along with the band in the carriage. Talking to her children there were a couple of gestures of what looked like guidance about when to wave."

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Judi added: "There was also a spreading gesture of both hands that would normally mean quite a severe message of when to stop or what not to do, too. She also put her hands below public view in the carriage to mime that 'stop' or 'end' sign to them as though warning them where the boundaries were, and on the way back she was doing small reward nods and smiles for their good behaviour, to ensure they were enjoying the event too."

Princess Charlotte has started to mimic her mum - especially when it comes to keep Louis in line (PA)

She also noted how Charlotte has started mimicking Kate and even helped keep Louis in line during the carriage ride.

"Charlotte told Louis to sit up while Kate leaned forward to straighten his tie. It's very sweet to see how he responds quickly to orders from his sister. The minute Charlotte told him to sit up in his seat he pulled up straight away with no murmur of dissent or argument. When they got back into the carriage we saw Charlotte mirroring Kate when it came to little Louis. As Louis sat between his two siblings Charlotte watched Kate carefully and when Kate leant forward to speak to her small son it was Charlotte immediately using one hand to signal that he should budge up in the seat."

Gemma Strong