According to a report from The Sun, the Duchess of Cambridge uses code words to communicate with her kids, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, especially in public.
Kate also uses techniques like touching her kids' foreheads when they start to act up and getting down on their level to communicate, according to parenting expert Dr. Rebecca Chicot.
Anyone who has ever raised (or, TBH, even babysat for any length of time) kids the ages of the Cambridge kids—Prince George, 6, Princess Charlotte, 4, and Prince Louis, 1—knows that achieving the kind of near-perfect behavior they display in public is no easy feat of parenting.
This is just a normal fact of life: Kids will be kids and that means not acting like perfect, miniature-sized adults every second of every day. Add to that the very public nature of being a member of the royal family, though, and Kate's parenting prowess is nothing short of incredible.
So, how does the Duchess of Cambridge do it? She has a secret language of sorts for communicating to George and Charlotte (and, someday, Louis) that they need to check their behavior.
(Image credit: WPA Pool)
Two Years of Marie Claire Magazine
According to a report from The Sun, Kate's code word phrase for "calm down" is pretty simple: "Let’s take a break."
When Kate announces it's time for a break, George and Charlotte know that it's time to take things down a notch and, if they aren't out in public at the moment (because this code is used behind closed doors, too), they take a few minutes to engage in a quiet, solo activity, like reading a book or doing a puzzle, to regroup.
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
Kate also has some physical communication techniques that help her keep George and Charlotte calm in public, Chicot says.
"She seems to be good at making warm contact 'touch to the head' which is a nice connection," Chicot explained. "She gets down to their level to talk to them but let’s them be children. She has a lovely balance of sensitivity and gentle boundaries. She doesn’t expect them to behave like little adults and knows that children go through perfectly natural stages like tantrums."
(Image credit: Samir Hussein)
"Kate is a sensitive and warm mum," Chicot added. "This is a called an authoritative style of parenting that is now encouraged. This is compared to an autocratic parenting that was encouraged in some circles in Victorian times (e.g. children should be seen and not heard)."
Kate Middleton's Most Iconic Fashion Moments
Image 1 of 30
(Image credit: WPA Pool)
August 5, 2020
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stepped out to visit Barry island, South Wales to speak to local business owners about the impact COVID 19 on tourism. She wore an Emilia Wickstead dress, find similar one here and Castañer espadrilles.
The Duchess steps out to announce that Royal Foundation's 1.8 million fund will support frontline workers and the nation's mental health at the Sandringham Estate. Kate wore a Suzannah dress for the occasion.
For a visit to The Nook in eastern England, Kate Middleton wore an affordable floral print dress from Faithfull the Brand. Not surprisingly, thanks to the Kate Effect, it sold out almost immediately. However, fans of the design can see buy clothing iterations of the of it here and here. She completed the casual outing look with a pair of Russell & Bromley coconut wedges (shop similar espadrilles) and Accessorize hoop earrings.
(Image credit: AARON CHOWN)
June 18, 2020
The Duchess of Cambridge stops by Fakenham Garden Centre to shop for plants for The Nook hospice in Framlingham Earl. Catherine wore Fjallraven vest, denim shirt, black trousers, and Superga sneakers.
The royals visited the Teagasc Animal & Grassland Research Centre in Ireland. Prince William and Kate coordinated in laidback ensembles. The Duchess wore a belted Dubarry jacket and her trusty Penelope Chilvers boots for the farm visit.
(Image credit: Pool/Samir Hussein)
March 4, 2020
Duchess of Cambridge during their visit in Ireland, where they stopped by Savannah House, a residential facility run by charity. She opted for an Equipment top and Russell and Bromley boots.
Kate attended a Charity Performance of "Dear Evan Hansen" in Eponine dress and Jimmy Choo pumps and clutch.
(Image credit: Karwai Tang)
January 29, 2020
The Duchess of Cambridge visited LEYF Stockwell Gardens Nursery & Pre-School in England. For the cold weather, she wore a blue wool coat over a delicate white Sézane top, black jeans, and Aquatalia boots.
The Duchess of Cambridge joined families and children who are supported by the charity Family Action at Peterley Manor Farm in England. For the outing, she wore holiday colors: a red ski jacket from Perfect Moment, a Really Wild green sweater (shop similar), blue jeans, and Berghaus brown booties.
(Image credit: Karwai Tang)
November 12, 2019
Kate attended the Shout's Crisis Volunteer celebration event at Troubadour White City Theatre. She was ready for fall in a pair of maroon pants from Joseph, a check Smythe blazer, and a pair of Gianvito Rossi black pumps.
(Image credit: Karwai Tang)
October 9, 2019
For a visit to The Angela Marmont Centre for UK Biodiversity at the Natural History Museum, Kate wore a polished streamline ensemble. Her top was from a British brand called Warehouse while her pants were from Jigsaw. She wore a pair of Tod's fringe leather pumps.
(Image credit: Neil Mockford)
October 2, 2019
Prince William and Kate visited the Aga Khan Centre in England. She wore a dress that was a collab between Aross Girl and Soler London. Though the long-sleeve teal dress is now sold out, you can buy a similar one here. She wore the dress with a pair of Emmy London pumps.
(Image credit: Samir Hussein)
September 10, 2019
Kate attended the Back to Nature festival at RHS Garden Wisley in a long-sleeve pale blue floral dress from Emilia Wickstead and Monsoon wedges (shop similar).
(Image credit: WPA Pool)
September 5, 2019
Prince William and the Duchess took Princess Charlotte and Prince George to their first day of school at Thomas's Battersea in London. The Duchess of Cambridge glowed in a printed Michael Kors dress and Rupert Sanderson blue pumps.
(Image credit: Karwai Tang)
July 14, 2019
Kate looked polished and dressy for an appearance at the Men's Wimbledon Tennis Championships. She wore a pale blue cap-sleeve dress from Emilia Wickstead and beige ALDO pumps.
(Image credit: Karwai Tang)
June 25, 2019
The Duchess of Cambridge took part in a photography workshop at the charity 'Action for Children' in London. Kate wore a fluttery sleeve printed dress from Ridley London and lace-up espadrilles from Castañer.
(Image credit: Mark Cuthbert)
June 12, 2019
The Duchess of Cambridge attended the first annual gala dinner in an off-the-shoulder dress from Barbara Casasola and wore a pair of sparkly Jimmy Choo glitter pumps.
(Image credit: Jeff Spicer)
May 20, 2019
The Duchess of Cambridge attended the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London while wearing a neutral colored ensemble. She wore a M.i.h Jeans shirt, brown Massimo Dutti culotte pants, and white Superga sneakers.
(Image credit: Karwai Tang)
May 14, 2019
The Duchess of Cambridge visited the D-Day exhibition at Bletchley Park. For the outing, she wore an Alessandra Rich polka dot midi dress with pale blue pumps from Emmy London. She carried a Smythson clutch.
(Image credit: Chris Jackson)
May 8, 2019
In need of blazer inspo? Look no further than Kate's closet. She has a variety of styles and colors, including this gorgeous double-breasted red Philosophy Di Lorenzo number. She wore it over a black turtleneck with black jeans and Aquatalia booties.
What color looks the best on Kate? Trick question: every color looks good on her, even green. The Duchess of Cambridge was spotted in this deep jade colored dress from Emilia Wickstead while leaving the new Centre of Excellence at Anna Freud Centre in London. She accessorized with beige Gianvito Rossi pointy toe pumps and a Mulberry Amberley clutch.
The Duchess of Cambridge got sporty while playing soccer with kids in Ireland. She wore a Barbour quilted jacket, a Ralph Lauren sweater, jeans, and blue sneakers from New Balance.
(Image credit: Chris Jackson)
December 11, 2018
Polka dots are a must for royals. Kate loves wearing them as spotted here in a green knee-length polka dot dress from L.K. Bennett. She wore green Gianvito Rossi suede pumps.
Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience covering entertainment of all genres, from new movie and TV releases to nostalgia, and celebrity news. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
