Kate Middleton's secret code to get George, Charlotte and Louis to behave at huge royal events

The Princess of Wales has a subtle but very effective way of parenting her three young children when they step out for major royal events, an expert has revealed

Princess Kate uses a 'secret code' to make sure her children are on their best behaviour at major royal events, according to an expert.

Both Kate and William are hands-on parents to their three young children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. And while the royal trio's behaviour is usually impeccable, they have also been known to show their cheeky sides on occasion - especially little Louis. The fun-loving youngster will often display his sassy character - whether he's saluting, enthusiastically waving, doing some impromptu dancing, or even sticking his tongue out.

And on the occasions that Kate feels her children's behaviour is starting to cross a line, she will use a 'code' to issue a silent warning. Back in 2023, the Wales family were the centre of attention as they rode together in a carriage at Trooping the Colour. During the event, the mum-of-three deployed her clever tactic, according to a body language expert. Judi James revealed to The Sun's Fabulous how the future Queen managed to parent the trio during the public-facing outing. "Kate's firm but subtle signals ensure the children keep feeling enthusiastic and, in Louis' case, excited," she observed.

"Talking to her children there were a couple of gestures of what looked like guidance about when to wave. 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."

It's not just during their public appearances that George, Charlotte, and Louis must behave. They also have to follow some strict rules at the family home, Adelaide Cottage. When one of the young royals is struggling with emotions or loses their temper, Kate and William reportedly take them away for a 'sofa chat'. The idea is that instead of them having alone time with their thoughts and feelings, a parent is there to help them understand what has unfolded.

Another rule employed by the couple is 'no shouting'. Children who raise their voice are removed from the situation - and similarly, William and Kate will never shout at the trio when they are telling them off. An insider previously told the Sun that Kate is "slightly stricter" than Prince William, adding that the couple's nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, always makes all her decisions in agreement with the royals.

The source said: "Maria is firm but she never acts unilaterally with the children on discipline. Kate and William, along with Maria, are strict with the children but have this magic ability to appear not to be. It is a military operation but you would never guess it because they work ferociously hard on their children’s upbringing and making it seem relaxed and happy for the three of them. They are very good at listening to the children but being firm."

Maria has served as royal nanny since 2014. Maria was born in Spain and studied at Norland College , which prides itself on being the first educational establishment to offer childcare training. Students are taught everything from child brain development and first aid to evasive driving techniques.

"The nannies are taught everything from defensive driving to security issues to how to care for a future king or queen," royal commentator Victoria Murphy told ABC News in May 2015. "So [Borrallo] just really knows everything that you could possibly need to know about bringing up a child."