Six rules Kate Middleton and Prince William insist their kid's nanny must follow
Helping raise the next generation of royals will come with its fair share of pressures.
And while there's certainly no parenting handbook, for royal nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, the job does come with plenty of rules. Ms Borrallo has been with the Wales family for almost a decade, joining when Prince George was just eight months.
In that time she's seen them grow from a family of three to five with the welcoming of Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. And while it's certainly a job of privilege, it's not one without huge expectations. According to various sources, rules cover areas such as bedtimes, screen time and squabbles. There are also some big do's and don'ts, covering the likes of punishments to certain words she can't use.
Using the word 'kids'
According to historian and writer Louise Heren, the royal youngsters are not to be referred to by the colloquial term "kids". The expert who has written books on the history of childcare in Britain told The Mirror that Ms Borrallo is only allowed to refer to them as "children", or by their individual names. Author Ms Heren said the rule is "a mark of respect for the children as individuals".
Screen time
Time spent watching TV or playing on tablets is strictly limited, with Kate particularly adamant on this one. According to royal expert Kate Nicholl, she "won't allow Prince George, Princess Charlotte or Prince Louis their own devices" while they are still young.
Mum's touching gesture to young son who died leaves Morrisons shopper in tears
"The emphasis during this time will be on arts and crafts, painting, and doing things that aren’t screen-orientated," she told OK! magazine. "Kate is usually very strict on screen time and keeps it to a minimum."
Nanny Ms Borrallo is rarely seen in public, but was pictured here at Charlotte's christening in 2015 (Getty Images)
She's been with the family for nearly 10 years (Getty Images)A strict bedtime
One of children's least favourite phrases, but one which carries a lot of importance in the Wales household. According to 'Nanny in a Book' author Ms Heren, George, Charlotte and Louis have a regimented bedtime of 7pm.
Royal expert Duncan Larcombe also mentioned this in December 2021 when William and Kate appeared at a special Christmas Carol Service at Westminster Abbey, explaining why the children weren't accompanying them. Although perhaps one exception to this rule in recent memory was King Charles' Coronation in May, when the three were allowed to stay up for the concert.
Daily play time
Ms Borrallo must let the royal children play outside every day. "There will be lots and lots of outdoor play," Ms Heren said, adding that the royal nanny was strict about this. "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, [and] potentially some gardening. Norland are very into teaching children through play."
Never allowed to hit the children
According to The Express, Ms Borrallo is barred from ever physically hitting the children. This is also a rule employed by Norland, the nanny agency she is employed by, who describe it as an unacceptable form of punishment with graduate warned that anyone found using it faces being struck off.
"Maria is firm but she never acts unilaterally with the children on discipline,” a source told The Sun. "Kate and William, along with Maria, are strict with the children but have this magic ability to appear not to be."
"It is a military operation, but you would never guess it because they work ferociously hard on their children’s upbringing and make it seem relaxed and happy for the three of them.”
No shouting
While sibling squabbles are part and parcel of life in any young family, for the royals shouting is not part of this. A royal source told The Sun that William and Kate are strict when it comes to shouting, both at each other or between them and Ms Borallo.
"There’s no 'naughty step' but there is a 'chat sofa,'" the source said. The Wales family prefer diplomacy rather than raising voices, and expect their nanny to set a good example. "Shouting is absolutely ‘off limits’ for the children and any hint of shouting at each other is dealt with by removal," the source said.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
