Unusual rules Prince William and Kate Middleton’s nanny must follow: ‘No nonsense’
Being a live-in nanny for Prince William and Kate Middleton’s children would no doubt be quite a daunting task. However, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, has been working with the family for ten years, so by now she’s probably pretty used to the strange demands that come with working for the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The royal couple are very hands-on parents, but given their demanding schedules and, of course, the recent health challenges Kate has faced, Maria plays a crucial role in the family. Unsurprisingly, there are many strict rules she must follow as part of her job.
Strict rules royal nannies must follow
One of the rules Maria must follow is quite an unexpected one. She is not allowed to use the word ‘kid’ or ‘kids’ as it’s considered disrespectful.
Louise Heren, author of Nanny in a Book, revealed to The Mirror, “The word ‘kid’ is banned. It’s a mark of respect for the children as individuals.”
RELATED:
The author added of Kate and Maria’s relationship, “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.”
“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.”
Maria’s uniform includes dark blue trousers and jumper and a light blue polo shirt. She also wears brown leather flat lace-up shoes, light tights and white gloves in summer, dark tights, brown gloves and a coat in winter. She also has a brown Norland College uniform that comes with a bowler hat and white gloves, which she wore to the wedding of Pippa Middleton and Princess Charlotte’s christening.
She must also keep her nails short and clean, with no nail polish. And her hair must be cut or tied back off the collar in a bun and out of her eyes.
Nannies must also keep jewellery small and discreet, and makeup is kept to a minimum.
Louise has previously told Fabulous Online that the royal children will have a “no nonsense” upbringing.
Maria will have them in bed at 7pm, they will have new foods or flavours introduced every few days and playtime takes place outside, no matter the weather.
“There will be no messing,” she said. “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.”
How much does the royal nanny get paid?
According to the Daily Mail, Maria trained at Norland College, and newly qualified nannies from the school can earn salaries up to around A$84,000 for non-residential positions, while some can earn as much as A$240,000 after gaining years of experience. Maria, in this case, could be getting paid even more given she’s been with the family for so long.
Norland College is known for its exceptional training and is regarded as one of the top institutions for those wishing to excel in childcare. The college only accepts around 100 students a year and expects applicants to have a genuine passion for the job.
The curriculum Maria followed has previously been likened to a blend of Mary Poppins and James Bond, due to the range of skills the students learn, including self-defence and martial arts, and getaway driving.
Does the royal nanny have a partner or children?
Tom Quinn, author of Gilded Youth has revealed that Maria does not have a partner or children of her own. The royal nanny appears to have dedicated her life to the family she is working with, not her personal life.
However, Tom adds that a palace insider has revealed that Maria enjoys the nature of the lifestyle.
Royal nanny has ‘strong influence’ over the children
Previous royal nannies have developed lasting relationships with royals, including King Charles and Prince Harry.
Charles would continue to visit his nanny into adulthood, and invited her to his 21st birthday party and the ceremony where he became Prince of Wales in 1969.
SHOP:
According to the Nottingham Post, royal expert Pauline Maclaren shared that the nannies have a “strong influence” on the children and keep them grounded.
“I think royal nannies play important roles in the lives of royal children,” she added. “Apart from looking after their everyday needs and security, they can also offer a lot of support in developing the children’s cognitive and social skills.”
Want the latest lifestyle and entertainment news? Make sure you are following us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter.
