Prince William and Kate Middleton have taken on a very special babysitter to mind their three children over the summer holidays.
- Prince William and Kate Middleton have enlisted a close relative to help with childcare duties this summer at Balmoral Castle.
- The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge make an annual visit to the Queen's country Scottish residence with their three children, George, Charlotte and Louis.
- In other royal news, Prince Charles shares rare photo of childhood home with the Queen and Prince Philip.
Prince William and Kate Middleton may have all the resources in the world to pay for top-notch childcare, but when they're looking for a quick break from the kids, sometimes all they need is a little family help.
The couple has reportedly recruited Lady Louise Windsor, the daughter of the Queen's youngest son, Prince Edward, to entertain their three children during their annual summer vacation at Balmoral Castle.
Louise "endeared herself to everyone by looking after William and Kate’s children (Charlotte, George, and Louis) when they were up here," a royal insider told French magazine Gala.
A royal source has revealed that Lady Louise has even taught her young relative, Princess Charlotte, how to draw the bunny rabbits that hop around the Balmoral estate.
Pictured left to right, James, Viscount Severn, Prince Edward, Lady Louise Windsor, and Sophie, the Countess of Wessex
"Louise loves drawing and sketching and was very patiently trying to get Charlotte to do pictures of rabbits and deer."
It appears the young royal has an artistic flair and her beloved grandmother is reportedly proud as punch—even allowing her a look at some of the family's other talented artists.
The source added, "Because of her obvious artistic skill, the Queen allowed Louise to look through some of the collection of Queen Victoria’s Highlands sketches which are kept at Balmoral but are rarely dug out these days.”
Lady Louise is lower in the royal line of succession than her cousins but sources suggest that she is the Queen's favorite grandchild and dotes on her young relatives.
"[Louise] seems to have become her favorite grandchild, closely followed by James," continued the insider. James is Louise's younger brother who is formally known as James, Viscount Severn, and is just 13 years old.
Princess Charlotte and her brother Prince George
Princess Charlotte is Lady Louise's cousin once removed. Louise is aged 17 and is one of the youngest cousins of Prince William.
This means that she is closer in age to her cousin's children; Prince George, aged eight, Princess Charlotte, aged six, and Prince Louis, aged three; than she is to her 39-year-old cousin, Prince William.
The Balmoral estate is filled with a variety of different species and wildlife that are available for the youngsters to draw. This ranges from capercaillies and grouses to highland cows and shetland ponies.
It has been reported that many members of the royal family will be heading to the Aberdeenshire residence again this summer.
Recently, Prince Andrew was spotted at Balmoral with the Queen just hours after a US lawsuit accused him of sexual abuse. His ex-wife Sarah Ferguson also accompanied him to Scotland to stay at the royal residence.
Prince Andrew's daughter Princess Eugenie, her husband Jack Brooksbank, and their son August Brooksbank were also spotted driving to the Balmoral estate after flying from London Heathrow.
It's unknown which other members of the royal family will be traveling up to Scotland to spend the summer break together.
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