WHILST 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 not only do they have help from a Norland College trained expert, but she is banned from using a specific word around Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six.
As a result of the demands of Princess Kate, 42, and the Prince of Wales’, also 42, royal roles, it’s no surprise that additional parental support is in place for the three young royals.
Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo has been caring for the Wales trio since they were infants, beginning her residence with the family almost a decade ago.
Maria, who is from Palencia in Spain, started working with Kate and Wills eight years ago, in 2014, when Prince George was just a few months old.
The “Mary Poppins-esque” nanny was trained at the esteemed Norland College in Bath, which is renowned for producing top-tier childcare professionals.
The college has educated over 10,000 nannies since it launched in 1892, for high profile families from Arab royalty to Hollywood stars.
The college’s website reads: “Norland offers world-class training to those aspiring to be the very best professional childcare practitioners.”
In addition to her high-calibre education, Maria adheres to strict guidelines, one of which includes avoiding using a very common word that many parents probably say all the time.
As reported by the Daily Record, Kate Middleton’s nanny is banned from saying a popular term – “kid”.
The term is banned around George, Charlotte and Louis, as it is considered disrespectful.
Louise Heren, author of ‘Nanny in a Book’, shared insights with the Mirror about her time spent at Norland College while researching for a documentary.
She revealed: “The word kid is banned.
“It’s a mark of respect for the children as individuals.”
Despite being three of the most recognised children globally, according to Louise Heren, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis lead ordinary lives at home.
She shared: “Given what we have seen of Catherine when she is out in public, she’s very hands-on.
“I imagine her relationship with Maria is very close and they collaborate greatly on the care of the children.
The word kid is banned. It’s a mark of respect for the children as individuals
Louise Heren
“I’ve spoken to nannies who have worked with other Royal families and life is pretty normal.
“You get up, have breakfast, you go to school and you wear your school uniform whether you like it or not. It would be quite like the average British school child.”
Not only this, but back in 2019, Norland expert Louise Heren told Fabulous that the young royals would have a “no nonsense” upbringing.
Louise said: “There will be no messing. That’s because Maria will be aware that as they step off planes, holding mum’s hands, smiling and waving to the crowds, there can’t be any crying or terrible twos or tantrums.”
Maria may look formidable with her brown uniform that comes complete with a bowler hat and white gloves, but getting mucky outside with the kids is a key part of the Norland ethos.
Just because Norland Nannies wear the brown uniform, they look quite old-fashioned, that doesn’t mean their message is old-fashioned
Louise Heren
Louise added: “There will be lots and lots of outdoor play, that’s the one thing you could say Norland are old-fashioned about. Loads of fresh air.
“Lots of bike rides, playing with their dogs, potentially some gardening. Norland are very into teaching children through play.
“Yes you are getting mucky with your hands in the soil but you are learning how to plant.
“If it is tipping it down, they will still go out. Wet weather is just inappropriate clothing, you have to put the right stuff on.
“It doesn’t have to be strict. Just because Norland Nannies wear the brown uniform, they look quite old-fashioned, that doesn’t mean their message is old-fashioned. It’s no nonsense.”
It has also been shared that Maria is teaching the young royals to speak Spanish.
During a farm visit in 2017, the Princess of Wales proudly informed well-wishers that Prince George, who was just three-years-old at the time, could already count to ten in Spanish.
Not only this, but in 2018, when Princess Charlotte was only two, it was announced that she could already speak two languages after her first week of school.
But it comes as no surprise that the younger royals are becoming multilingual, as the late Queen Elizabeth II spoke French, German and a rare Scots dialect, whilst King Charles, 76, speaks Greek and some Welsh.
Meanwhile, the children’s father, Prince William not only speaks English but can reportedly speak six other different languages fluently – French, German, Welsh, Gaelic, Spanish and also Swahili, a language OK! Magazine reports that he taught himself while at university.
