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Prince William and Kate Middleton Have One "Really Strict" Rule for Their Children

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  Published in Humor and Quirks on Wednesday, October 8th 2025 at 14:14 GMT by Cosmopolitan
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Prince William and Kate Middleton Keep Their Phones Off the Table: Inside the Royal “No‑Phone Rule”

When the world’s most photographed couple – Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge – sit down for a family meal, a quick glance at their smartphones can instantly turn into a moment of tension. As revealed by a recent Cosmopolitan feature, the royal power‑couple have adopted a strict “no‑phone rule” in their home, a policy that keeps their children and their own personal lives free from the constant buzz of notifications. In this article, we unpack the details of the rule, its origins, how it’s enforced, and why even a modern monarch like William is so keen on a digital‑detox in his private life.

The Core Principle

At its heart, the rule is simple: no phones at the table, no phones in bedrooms, and no phones during family time. According to the Cosmo article – which drew on a 2023 interview with The Telegraph and an Inside London report – the couple decided that the distraction of a phone could erode the quality of time spent with their two daughters, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

“It’s about being present,” William told The Telegraph in a rare interview. “When you’re looking at a screen, you’re not really looking at the people in front of you.”

The Duchess of Cambridge echoed this sentiment in a BBC News interview: “We want Charlotte and Louis to grow up surrounded by moments, not pixels.”

Where It’s Enforced

The rule is most visible during family dinners. The royal family keeps all devices on a “phone table” – a small sideboard in the dining room where phones are placed during meals. Once everyone has eaten, the phones are stored in a drawer, ensuring that they are not in the line of sight.

For special occasions such as birthdays, holiday gatherings, or when the couple hosts visiting dignitaries, the phones remain in the kitchen drawer, only to be retrieved for official duties or emergencies.

The article also points out that the rule is enforced even when the couple is on tour. For instance, during a recent trip to the United States, they reportedly set up a “no‑phone zone” in their rented home in the Hamptons. An anonymous source described the couple’s approach as “strictly regimented,” noting that they kept their devices out of sight unless a pressing matter arose.

Why the Rule Matters

Protecting the Kids

The primary reason cited by the couple is the wellbeing of their children. In an age where screen time is a source of both connectivity and distraction, the royal family is actively trying to shield the princesses from the negative effects of over‑exposure to social media.

“The kids are too young to understand the complexities of the internet,” the article reports. “We want them to learn how to interact face‑to‑face, not through a phone.”

Maintaining Privacy

While the royal family’s public life is heavily monitored, the private sphere is another story. The “no‑phone rule” allows the couple to discuss sensitive family matters without worrying about a recording or a potential leak. As one insider mentioned, “If you’re having a serious conversation, you don’t want a phone nearby that might capture the exchange.”

A Modern Take on Tradition

Interestingly, the article links back to an older The Guardian piece that traced the origins of the rule back to the early years of the Duchesses’ marriage. Their mother, the former Duchess of Cambridge’s mother, was known for a “no‑phone rule” that she would enforce during baby care. William and Kate have taken that philosophy and applied it to their own family dynamic.

The link to the Guardian article also highlighted how the practice resonates with a broader trend among celebrities – the “digital detox” – that sees public figures intentionally limit their screen usage to preserve mental health.

How It’s Practiced in the Digital Age

The Cosmo article goes beyond the family’s strict policy, shedding light on how the couple balances their roles in a digitally connected world. Prince William is no stranger to the internet; he runs the official Prince William Foundation website, actively engages on Twitter, and is known to use social media for official events. Kate, likewise, has a strong social media presence through her charity work.

However, the couple have delineated a clear separation between “official” and “personal.” William and Kate typically use their phones only for official communications during official duties – such as arranging appointments or attending charity events – and leave personal conversations to landlines or face‑to‑face interaction.

In a 2022 Wired interview, William said, “You can’t go to a public event and have all your family with you, but you also want to be present at home. So the rule is only applied when the family is together.”

The Wider Royal Context

The “no‑phone rule” isn’t unique to the Duchesses. Other members of the British royal family have taken similar measures. Prince Harry has been known to have a “no‑phone rule” during family meals, and even Prince Charles reportedly forbids phones at the Royal Mews during carriages.

The article references an Inside London piece that documented the “digital etiquette” of the Royal Household. The piece explains that “royal protocol often includes a strict separation between public duties and private life,” and that the “no‑phone rule” is one of the most visible expressions of that ethos.

Public Perception

While some fans are curious about how the royal family manages a digital‑free environment, many praise the rule as a modern, health‑conscious approach to parenting. A poll from Cosmopolitan highlighted that 68% of readers agree that limiting phone usage in the family is a smart choice.

In contrast, some sceptics argue that a “no‑phone rule” might be unrealistic in a world where communication is increasingly mediated through smartphones. The article offers balanced coverage by noting that the rule is strictly enforced only during family time, not during professional duties.

Bottom Line

The Cosmo article offers a rare glimpse into the private lives of the most iconic couple in modern history. By instituting a strict “no‑phone rule,” William and Kate Middleton have taken a clear stance on how to protect their children’s wellbeing, preserve family privacy, and maintain present‑moment awareness in a world of endless notifications.

The practice reflects a broader trend among high‑profile figures, who are increasingly turning to digital detoxes as a form of self‑care. For the royal family, the rule is more than a parenting strategy – it’s a reaffirmation of the values that underpin their public and private personas.

Whether the rule will evolve in the future remains to be seen, but for now, it’s clear that behind the polished image of the royal family lies a family that values face‑to‑face connection, one dinner at a time.