Princess Kate’s strict ‘no-go’ rules for family dinners

One of the most important rules in Kate’s household is the importance of making time for family dinners. 

When asked on The Reluctant Traveller whether the fivesome sat and ate together, William confirmed: “Yes absolutely, yes definitely. So, we sit and chat, it’s really important.”

One of the royal family’s strictest rules is to avoid speaking about controversial topics, as it is paramount that they keep up the appearance of political neutrality. 

Divisive topics like money, religion and politics are all no-go areas for the royals, so it is likely that the Waleses steer clear of these issues during family dinners.

However, Prince William did share on The Reluctant Traveller that they are a “very open family” who talked about “things that bother us, and things that trouble us”.

“It’s just important to be there for each other,” he added.

Princess Kate is staunchly against screens at the dinner table, so much so that George, Charlotte and Louis reportedly don’t have mobile phones at all. 

The mother of three even wrote an essay about the danger of screens in 2025, titled “The Power of Human Connection in a Distracted World”.

“While digital devices promise to keep us connected, they frequently do the opposite,” she explained.

“When we check our phones during conversations, scroll through social media during family dinners, or respond to emails while playing with our children, we’re not just being distracted, we are withdrawing the basic form of love that human connection requires.”

Mobile phones are clearly a contentious topic in the Wales household, as William shared with Brazilian broadcaster Luciano Huck.

“Our children don’t have phones. I think when George moves on to secondary school, then maybe he might have a phone that has no internet access,” he said.

“To be honest, it’s getting to the point where it’s becoming a little bit of a tense issue. But I think he understands why; we communicate why we don’t think it’s right.”

According to former royal chef Darren McGrady, Princess Kate is strict about following the rule that prevents royal children from sitting with the adults at formal events like state banquets and Christmas dinners.

Darren told Harper’s Bazaar that George, Charlotte and Louis “aren’t allowed to sit with the adults until they have learned the art of polite conversation,” and instead eat in the nursery with their nannies.

Another topic that Kate will not tolerate at family dinners is any complaints about chores. 

George, Charlotte and Louis are expected to complete their daily chores, just like any other child their age, especially since the family moved out of Kensington Palace and began employing fewer staff.

“The children – and William – are expected to do regular chores, such as emptying the dishwasher and tidying around the house,” The Daily Beast‘s Tom Sykes shared. 

“[The family] do not have a full-time housekeeper specifically because Kate wants them to experience as much normality as possible.”

Royal expert Katie Nicholl added that the children even earn pocket money as a way of keeping them grounded despite their royal status. 

“They absolutely do menial tasks,” she told OK! “They are far more ordinary than many might imagine – the kids even have to do chores in return for their pocket money. It’s about them wanting to have a normal, happy, ordinary family home and lifestyle.”