Reported reason why Princess Charlotte doesn't eat with Kate Middleton or Prince William during formal events

Ahead of this weekend's Commonwealth Games - where Princess Charlotte could make an appearance - a royal tradition rumour has been unearthed, alleging that she'll be kept away from her parents for a large chunk of the day.

Darren McGrady, a former royal chef, once told The Mirror that, as part of a long-standing monarchical tradition, young princes and princesses dine separately from their mothers and fathers, even at formal events.

While he hasn't worked for Prince William and Kate Middleton specifically, he has served the future-King's mother, Princess Diana, and even his grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II.

For reference, the British Royal Family is known for its strict adherence to tradition and protocol, with many rules instilled in the younger generation from an early age, such as male royals only wearing shorts until they're eight, and all heirs - even the kids - flying separately after the age of 12.

McGrady claimed the adults dine separately from the royal children (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

During his time at Buckingham Palace, chef McGrady reportedly observed another strict protocol that revolved around mealtimes, which saw royal children prohibited from joining their mother and father at the dinner table.

Instead, McGrady claimed, they eat with members of palace staff, until they're old enough to properly take part in adult conversation.

"The children always ate in the nursery until they were old enough to conduct themselves properly at the dining table," he alleged.

He claimed the rule even applies at Christmas dinners, and following family appearances and engagements in public.

While we can't be sure the same rule is - or possibly, was, in the case of 13-year-old Prince George - still applied to the Wales' children, royal etiquette expert Laura Windsor claims she wouldn't be surprised if William and Kate had modernised mealtime traditions

Dubbed the 'Queen of Etiquette', Windsor firstly claimed, however, that adults previously dining separately from their children wasn't so much a 'royal rule', but an 'aristocratic tradition' that stems from way back.

Windsor claimed she wouldn't be surprised if Kate and William abandoned this tradition (Comic Relief/BBC Children in Need/Comic Relief via Getty Images)

"Children were raised in the nursery, where they ate with their nanny or governess rather than with their parents," she exclusively told Tyla. "Mealtimes were seen as an opportunity to learn good manners, posture, table etiquette and the art of conversation before joining the adult table.

"The nursery was where they learned discipline and deportment."

"There is a story that children would have a knife or wooden support placed behind their backs to encourage them to sit upright, this was more of a posture aid or nursery method.

"Traditionally, children would not dine with the adults until they could conduct themselves confidently—sitting correctly, using their cutlery properly, and contributing to polite conversation."

In the case of 10-year-old Princess Charlotte, however - as well as her youngest sibling, Prince Louis, eight - Windsor claimed the old school approach to dining had likely been revamped under William and Kate.

Windsor suggested the royal restrictions may have been revamped (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

"Modern families, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, place much greater emphasis on spending time together," she noted. "Family meals are now seen as valuable opportunities to talk, share experiences and teach good manners naturally.

"Catherine, Princess of Wales, has spoken about the importance of family life and has taken a very hands-on role in raising her children."

Windsor concluded: "Today, most parents prefer to teach those same skills around the family table, making mealtimes both educational and an important opportunity to connect."

Tyla contacted Kensington Palace for comment.