Tablets, digital devices banned for royal kids

If you think being a prince or princess would be fun, you might want to consider the long list of rules the royal children have to follow – such as a ban on iPads.

The royal kids also reportedly aren’t allowed to eat shellfish or open presents on Christmas Day.

And while Prince George will soon celebrate his 12th birthday, he will also have to add another strict rule to his list.

The second in line to the British throne will face a huge change in royal tradition when he turns 12 on July 22.

Prince George will no longer be able to fly on the same aircraft as his father, Prince William.

The strict rule has been designed to protect the royal family’s future line of succession*, in the event of a tragedy occurring.

The royal protocol may also affect Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, who may no longer fly with their older brother since they are next in the line of succession, behind George.

George is currently second-in-line to the British throne, behind Prince William. Charlotte, 10, and Louis, seven, are behind George.

Here are some of the strict rules George, Charlotte and Louis have had to follow since they were born.

NO ELECTRONIC TOYS
Prince William and Princess Kate reportedly don’t allow their kids to play with any electronic toys.

The couple prefer their children to participate in activities and avoid them having tablets, such as iPads.

That means no screen time. No Roblox. No Minecraft. No Toca Boca, kids.

PLAYING OUTSIDE
Media outlet The Independent reports royal parents Kate and William have always encouraged their kids to play outside – even if it’s raining.

“There will be lots and lots of outdoor play … Lots of bike rides, playing with their dogs, potentially some gardening…,” Louise Heren, the author of Nanny in a Book, said.

“Yes, you are getting mucky with your hands in the soil, but you are learning how to plant.

“If it is tipping it down, they will still go out.”

NO BABY FOOD OR SHELLFISH
The kids aren’t allowed to eat shellfish such as prawns and oysters – a dietary restriction* that also applies to the adults of the household.

The ban was reportedly put in place because shellfish is believed to be the easiest food to get sick from, which they aim to avoid whenever possible.

The royals also ban pre-packaged and baby foods since they have private chefs to prepare delicious and nutritious meals.

NO EATING AT THE CHRISTMAS TABLE
The royal children spend Christmas with the rest of their family at their country home in Sandringham. But they have their own room for lunch – which means no pulling Christmas crackers with Mum and Dad at the table.

NO OPENING PRESENTS ON CHRISTMAS DAY
The royal children do not open presents on Christmas Day. Instead, they exchange all gifts on Christmas Eve and then go to church on Christmas Day.

This tradition, introduced by Prince Albert*, the husband of Queen Victoria, also involves the children adding the “finishing touches to the 20ft Christmas tree* in the White Drawing Room*” on Christmas Eve, according to the Royal Family website.

“On Christmas Eve, The Royal Family lay out their presents on trestle tables and will exchange their gifts at teatime,” the website states.

NO MONOPOLY
If you think these rules are harsh, even Monopoly was once off limits for the royal family.

According to British newspaper The Telegraph, the younger brother of King Charles III, Prince Andrew, said he wasn’t allowed to play the iconic* board game.

“We’re not allowed to play Monopoly at home. It gets too vicious,” the Duke York said back in 2008.

POLL

GLOSSARY

• line of succession: the order in which members of the royal family become the next king or queen
• dietary restriction: something you are not allowed or unable to eat
• Prince Albert: the German-born husband of Queen Victoria, who was the ruling monarch from June 20, 1837 until her death on January 20, 1901. It is a German tradition to celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve, with families gathering together to decorate the tree and exchange presents on December 24 before having Christmas dinner together. Many other countries in Europe share the tradition of celebrating Christmas on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas Day
• 20ft Christmas tree: as part of the tradition, Prince Albert would select a 20ft Norfolk spruce from the grounds of Sandringham to be cut down and used as the Christmas tree for the Royals’ official celebrations
• White Drawing Room: the largest reception room at Sandringham where guests are entertained. The room has a portrait of Queen Alexandra above an ornate fireplace and detailed plasterwork and panelling. It also has murals on the ceiling
• iconic: symbolic of an era or culture

EXTRA READING
Royals ban popular bathroom item
What do the royal kids fight over?
AI predicts the royal children as adults

QUICK QUIZ
1. Why won’t George be allowed to fly in the same aircraft as his dad when he turns 12?
2. What are some of the things the royal kids do when playing outside?
3. Why aren’t the royals allowed to eat shellfish?
4. What popular board game wasn’t allowed in the royal home of Prince Andrew?
5. Which prince introduced the tradition of exchanging gifts on Christmas Eve?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Think about the rules
Think about the rules that the royal kids have to follow. Which ones are do you think are fair and which ones do you think should be changed? Write paragraphs explaining your thoughts and ideas on this question. If you can think of some other rules that you think that George, Louis and Charlotte should follow, include them – with reasons why.

Time: allow at least 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Personal and Social Capability

2. Extension
What role does the Royal Family play in Australia? Brainstorm ideas, then use your research skills to find out more. Use the information that you have found to design an infographic to help other kids understand how and why the Royal Family is important for Australians.

Time: allow at least 25 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Civics and Citizenship

VCOP ACTIVITY
Read this!
A headline on an article – or a title on your text – should capture the attention of the audience, telling them to read this now. So choosing the perfect words for a headline or title is very important.

Create three new headlines for the events that took place in this article. Remember, what you write and how you write it will set the pace for the whole text, so make sure it matches.

Read out your headlines to a partner and discuss what the article will be about based on the headline you created. Discuss the tone and mood you set in just your few, short words. Does it do the article justice? Will it capture the audience’s attention the way you hoped? Would you want to read more?

Consider how a headline or title is similar to using short, sharp sentences throughout your text. They can be just as important as complex ones. Go through the last text you wrote and highlight any short, sharp sentences that capture the audience.