I remember reading something about a month or two ago that said children were expected, I think when with company to not speak unless they were spoken to until they were 'of age' (coming out for a girl and boys (?), whenever that was...) I do believe it was common to bring kids in to "meet and greet" company. Four kids as young as the Middleton bunch would be expected to be somewhat noisy but as the Middleton's don't seem to have any control over them, they should have kept it to a minimum. After a short period of time, under the circumstances, Lady Middleton, in my opinion, should have had them returned to the nanny instead of allowing them to let the party dissolve into Romper Room, or such. Sorry, I've looked but have not been able to find the source of not-speaking-until-spoken-to so please don't hold me to it to have repoted it accurately. I do remember not agreeing with it, though. If I come across it, I will post it. :)