Tania Clarence appeared before Wimbledon magistrates, charged with killing her three-year-old twin boys and four-year-old daughter.
Mrs Clarence, of Thetford Road, New Malden, has been remanded in custody until the next hearing at the Old Bailey on 29 April.
The children were found dead at their home on Tuesday night.
Gary Clarence, centre, leaves Wimbledon Magistrates' Court after his wife's appearance 
Teddies, bouquets and plants have been left outside the family's home in New Malden The 42-year-old was flanked by two police officers as she confirmed her name, address and date of birth.
She cried throughout the 20-minute hearing as the charges of murdering her children Olivia, Ben and Max were read out to her.
Post-mortem examinations are ongoing at Great Ormond Street Hospital, police said.
Mrs Clarence's husband Gary, a director at City bank Investec, was in court for his wife's appearance.
He was on holiday in South Africa with members of his family, including the couple's eight-year-old daughter, when he was told about the deaths of the three children.