While the Prince and Princess of Wales are reported to be hands-on parents, they are often required to perform royal duties without their three children present
Prince William and Kate, the Princess of Wales, have been open about how they are choosing to raise their children, and have explained that kindness, respect and honesty are the key qualities they hope to instil in them. While the couple keep their home life private, they have revealed snippets of their parenting techniques, such as how they have encouraged George, Charlotte and Louis to be open about their feelings, their enjoyment of cooking together as a family, and how each child plays an instrument.
However, as the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate are often busy having to attend royal appointments and work commitments. In situations like this, the children are cared for by their nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo.
Maria, who was born in Spain, has been with the family since the couple’s eldest child, George, was a baby. She is a Norland Nanny, which means that she trained at the prestigious Norland College in Bath, England.
A royal commentator, Victoria Murphy, told ABC News in 2015 that Norland nannies are taught everything from “defensive driving to security issues to how to care for a future king or queen”. This means that Maria would know “everything that you could possibly need to know about bringing up a child”.
Louise Heren, an author who spent a year at the college while researching a documentary, told The Mirror that George, Charlotte, and Louis likely live normal lives while at home. She said: “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.”
Louise added: “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 children.”
William and Kate were most recently seen in public on Tuesday when they attended the Duchess of Kent’s funeral. Katharine Worsley, who was married to Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, died on September 4th. Her funeral took place at Westminster Cathedral, and it was the first Catholic funeral for a member of the Royal Family in modern history.
Kate wore a black Catherine Walker coat dress, which she had also worn to the funeral of Prince Philip, which she paired with pearl jewellery and a black Chanel handbag.
Also this week, the royals will be welcoming President Trump and the First Lady, Melania, to the UK for their second State Visit. William and Kate greeted the Trumps at Windsor Castle on Wednesday ahead of their meeting with the King and Queen.
