Kate Middleton assigns Prince George and Princess Charlotte a budget to pay for their own things when shopping, store worker reveals

Kate Middleton gives Prince George and Princess a shopping budget and allows them to purchase their items themselves

Kate Middleton
(Image credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images)

Prince William and Kate Middleton's children may be literal royalty, but that doesn't mean they can go on extravagant shopping sprees.  

The Duchess of Cambridge was spotted with Prince George and Princess Charlotte in a London store yesterday – and by the sounds of it, their spending was far from excessive. 

According to one of its staff members, the young aristocrats were not allowed to select whatever items they fancied. Instead, they were assigned a spending limit and instructed to make the purchases themselves. 

"The kids had a budget that they stuck to and paid for their own things with their own money," explained the employee on Twitter. "Just normal well brought up children and a normal parent trying to do the right thing and that’s just lovely!" 

The sweet story resonated with several other royal fans, who were quick to praise William and Kate for their strong parenting skills. 

Others shared their own experience of meeting the duchess when she's off duty. 

"I live in Norfolk and she visits a few of the shops here, she stopped and chatted to a friend of mine who was also shopping with her children," one user revealed. "She seems really friendly and happy to chat to people." 

The tip-top behavior of William and Kate's offspring shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. The couple has reportedly always made a conscious effort to raise respectful, self-sufficient children, ensuring that they are actively exposed to the outside world. 

Both George, 7, and Charlotte, 5, are enrolled in a nearby private school where they mix with up to 600 other children every day. At home, they are expected to contribute to household chores, including folding laundry and helping with food deliveries. They are also forbidden from shouting, an act which carries a penalty of removal from the scene and a stern lecture from mum or dad.  

It's not all work and no play though. William and Kate make sure their children have plenty of time to enjoy 'normal' activities, like cooking, baking, and tennis. 

The duchess has previously revealed that Charlotte loves gymnastics, while George is keener on playing the guitar. Two-year-old Prince Louis has yet to show any interest in backflips or musical instruments, but that doesn't mean the royal infant doesn't have his preferences. The youngest Cambridge kid apparently loves singing to the tune of Happy Birthday, as well as nibbling on the ultra-healthy vegetable that is beetroot. 

Emma Dooney
Lifestyle News Writer

Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.

Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.