WHILE Kate Middleton and Prince William are notably hands-on with their three children, the royals are continuing the age-old tradition of having a nanny.
And now, one of their former nannies has lifted the lid on exactly what bedtime looked like for Britain’s youngest Princes and Princess – George, 11, Charlotte, nine, and Louis, seven.
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Caroline Redgrave spent over five years looking after the royal children.
She says that bedtime wasn’t just about sleep – it was about a calming ritual for Wills’ three children to wind down.
Caroline cared for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis during their early years, overseeing everything from wind-down play to bath time and storybooks.
“You get to know them in those quiet evening hours,” she reveals. “That’s when they’re most relaxed.
“And it’s also when you see how grounded they really are; polite, playful and full of personality.”
Despite the grandeur of their surroundings, Caroline says the children’s routine was refreshingly down-to-earth.
“We always kept to a familiar structure of a warm bath, quiet play, stories and then bed,” she says.
“It was designed to help them unwind slowly.
“The routine was the same, no matter what had gone on in the day.”
Bath time, she adds, was a non-negotiable part of the process.
“We never used harsh products or anything with strong fragrances,” Caroline tells.
“Their skin routines were really simple, very natural. No chemicals, no fuss. Just warm water, a soft cloth, and plant-based wash.”
She recalled that George liked building with blocks after his bath, while Charlotte preferred reading quietly and Louis often curled up with a stuffed toy.
“There was no screen time in the evenings,” Carole says. “It was all about slowing everything down.”
About an hour before lights out, the royal kids would all have a cup of warm milk (never cold) and sometimes a slice of banana or half a plain rice cake.
According to sleep experts at Roseway Labs, the choice of warm milk isn’t just tradition — it’s backed by science.
It encourages the body to produce melatonin, which is the body’s natural sleep hormone.
Miriam Martinez Callejas, Superintendent Pharmacist and Founder of Roseway Labs, explains: “Melatonin is your body’s natural sleep hormone, released by the pineal gland when it gets dark.
“It helps you fall asleep, enhances REM sleep, and keeps your circadian rhythm in check.
“Adding melatonin-rich foods to your diet may help regulate your sleep cycle and improve the quality of your rest.”
Now a private childcare consultant, Caroline says bedtime was often the calmest and most rewarding part of her day as a royal nanny.
“There were cuddles, books, the occasional giggle fit,” she recalls. “It was beautifully ordinary.
“People imagine strict formality, but the truth is, it was warm, loving, and very normal.”