Prince William’s father, as Prince of Wales, relied on a retinue of staff, including four chefs, a butler, three valets, dressers, four assistants, and five house managers.
But domestic life for the current Prince and Princess of Wales could not be further removed from the King’s. While William and Kate employ daytime staff to manage their busy working schedules, after school, they prefer to raise their children alone.
That includes getting George, Charlotte and Louis to muck in with the chores. And giving a glimpse into life behind the royal veil, a source said last night: ‘I think it would surprise people to see how ordinary things are at home.
‘The children help with laying the table, clearing their plates when they’ve finished eating and helping with tidying up. There’s no preferential treatment.’
The royal couple decided two years ago that Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, the family’s former live-in nanny, would not relocate with them when they moved to Windsor from Kensington Palace.
The Prince and Princess of Wales prefer to raise their children without employing staff at Windsor
George, Charlotte and Louis muck in with the chores, including laying the table and helping with tidying up
Rather than turning to any more help since her cancer diagnosis, Kate has been determined to make sure things carry on as normal for her children
During the princess’s treatment and recovery from cancer, it has also emerged that rather than turn to hiring any more help, Kate has been determined to make sure her children’s home life is not disrupted and that things carry on as ‘normal as possible’ in the house for them.
As a result, the children have not been given any special treatment and have been expected to carry on with their household jobs.
Evenings in their four-bedroom country bolthole Adelaide Cottage involve just themselves, taking turns to do the cooking.
The source said: ‘Catherine is very, very natural. She keeps the family down to earth.
‘Home is a safe haven. In a bid to keep things functioning as smoothly as possible she has been keen for everything to carry on as normal for the children.’ The source added: ‘The children are still expected do their chores and to muck in at home.’
The princess’s own upbringing is reflected in how she raises her brood – and is a far cry from husband William, whose mealtimes as a child were often spent with nannies
The Waleses attending a Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey last December
The Prince and Princess of Wales with their three children at Trooping the Colour in June
The princess’s own upbringing is reflected in how she raises her brood – and is a far cry from husband William, whose mealtimes as a child were often spent with nannies.
The couple have a repertoire of dishes they enjoy cooking – from curries to teriyaki salmon – and when some help is required Kate can turn to her mother Carole for assistance.
The source added: ‘She has a lovely supportive family to turn to, which helps. But she wants to show her children the importance of being grounded and in touch with people.’
Meanwhile, the King is advertising for two more chefs to join the royal household at Buckingham Palace and at other royal households across the year.
He is seeking a sous chef and chef de partie, with the job advertisement that closes today reading: ‘Experience in both volume catering and classical French cuisine would be advantages.’
