"England's Royal Children": How Normally Do George, Charlotte, and Louis Live?

How do the British royal children grow up? This question is explored in the new TV film "England's Royal Children: Duty and Rebellion" (August 6, 8:15 PM, ZDFroyal series). Annette von der Heyde reveals lesser-known details from the childhoods of King Charles III (75), heir to the throne Prince William (42), and his children, Prince George (11), Princess Charlotte (9), and Prince Louis (6).

Marion Crawford, Barbara Barnes, and Maria Borrallo - Important Nannies of the British Princes A particularly touching scene shows the then three-year-old Prince Charles at a train station. Along with his grandmother, Queen Mum (1900-2002), and many officials, the little boy greets his parents, Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022) and Prince Philip (1921-2021), after a several-week trip. The images show a three-year-old who clearly doesn't quite know what to do and is lost among the adults. He is greeted by his mother with a handshake.

Overall, five adults cared for little Charles, not including his parents. Elizabeth herself and her sister, Princess Margaret (1930-2002), also grew up with a nanny - Marion Crawford (1909-1988), who published a book with insider details after her tenure. A private tutor taught Elizabeth and Margaret at the castle, and the two girls could only play with each other. At that time, the future succession to the throne was not foreseeable, as it was actually their father's brother who ascended the throne.

Diana Also Had a Nanny for Her Sons The film also addresses the fact that Princess Diana (1961-1997) had nannies care for her sons William and Harry (39) in a manner befitting their status. Diana is said to have become so jealous of the close relationship between the nanny Barbara Barnes and her two sons that the arrangement was ended when William was four years old. "The nanny wasn't even allowed to say goodbye," the film states.

Aside from that, young William also had to attend official press events annually. Another touching scene in the film shows William crying in front of the gathered press during a ski vacation because his parents and brother had already gone down the slope, and he didn't quite know how to follow them. A major British tabloid headlined: "Wills the wimp."

How Normally Do George, Charlotte, and Louis Grow Up? "I think it's impossible for the youngest generation of royals to grow up normally," says a journalist in the film, explaining further: "They have one foot in the present and the other in the past. It's like a time travel." Yet, George, Charlotte, and Louis's parents apparently do everything they can to ensure the three grow up as normally as possible.

William and his wife, Princess Kate (42), live with their children on the edge of the royal park at Windsor Castle in Adelaide Cottage, which has four bedrooms and no live-in staff. The three attend the same school, live at home - William was in boarding school from the age of eight - and have many playdates with their school friends.

However, this family also has a nanny: Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo. "Initially, William and Kate didn't want a nanny. They wanted to manage on their own, but Queen Elizabeth told them: You need help. And she was, of course, right," explains royal expert Katie Nicholl. The Spanish-born Borrallo trained at the prestigious Norland College and has worked for William and Kate since 2014. She is part of the family but does not live in the cottage.

Kate is primarily responsible for the much closer parent-child relationship in the youngest generation of royals. She has introduced a new style in dealing with her royal children. The British call it "the Middleton method," which means a more middle-class family life, as explained in the film.

Fourth Film in the ZDFroyal Series: Monaco's Royal Children Following "England's Royal Children: Duty and Rebellion," ZDF will air the fourth film in this year's ZDFroyal series: "Monaco's Royal Children: Glamour and Drama" (August 6, 9 PM), following "Princess Kate and the Windsor Drama" (July 16) and "Denmark's Royal Children: Change and Legacy" (July 23).

Among other things, Prince Albert II (66) talks about the "normal family life" in the Monegasque princely house. "I am a very proud father. Our children are still very young, and I want them to grow up as normally as possible. Just as my parents did with me and my sisters. Our family life was as normal as it could be," says Albert, adding: "spending as much time together as possible, having privacy, and going on outings."

However, Albert also admits that it was easier back then to "escape the media. Today, everyone has a phone and can take pictures or videos and post them on social media. That makes it harder for our children."

Albert is the son of Prince Rainier III of Monaco (1923-2005) and Princess Grace Kelly (1929-1982). Since 2011, he has been married to Princess Charlene of Monaco (46). Together, the couple has twins, Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella (9).

The four films are also available in the media library.

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