While Prince William and Princess Kate are very hands-on parents to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, they also have the help of their trusted nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo.
Maria has been an integral part of the Wales household since Prince George was just eight months old - and ten years on, she is still helping to raise the young royals behind the scenes.
Born in Spain, Maria studied at the Norland College, which prides itself on being the first educational establishment to offer childcare training. There, students are taught everything from child brain development and first aid to evasive driving techniques.
Maria with the royal family at the christening for Princess Charlotte (Getty Images)"The nannies are taught everything from defensive driving to security issues to how to care for a future king or queen," royal commentator Victoria Murphy previously told ABC News. "So [she] just really knows everything that you could possibly need to know about bringing up a child."
So what do Maria's daily duties entail? With all three children now attending school, she spends her days juggling the trios' activities and homework schedules, rather than changing nappies. But there is still plenty to do.
Meghan Markle 'to unleash her own memoirs' as Prince Harry's drops next week
Louenna Hood, author of Your Baby's First Year, trained at the famous Norland College in Bath just as the Wales' nanny Maria did. She told HELLO!: "A Norland Nanny's role changes as their charge grows, although you don't become less busy!"
She explained: "With children at school during the day you are required to organise school pick-ups and plan logistics of the different pick-up times due to after school sports and clubs. Organisation is key for making each child has a filling breakfast, fuelling them for a busy day at school. And remembering to send the children into school each day in the right uniform or sports kit."
Maria has a number of daily responsibilities when it comes to caring for the young royals (Getty Images)It's also key for the nanny to check all clothes and shoes fit properly and are labelled accordingly - Norland nannies are even given sewing classes. It's also their responsibility to plan nutritional and filling evening meals, even liaising with the school to ensure there is variety.
Primarily, the job of a nanny is to care for each child as an individual - and this also influences the daily schedule.
A nanny is expected to support children with their homework and try to make it as fun and engaging as possible. That could mean setting up homework stations in the garden, or an indoor den, to stop boredom, according to Louenna.
It's also crucial to be there for the children as they grow into young adults. Car journeys can be a particularly good place to provide a listening ear and find out how they are getting on at school, or share any fears and worries.
And finally, Norland nannies are there to help promote independence amongst their charges and teach them about taking responsibility for their actions.
"It can be as simple as making their bed in the morning or learning to make scrambled eggs for breakfast," Louenna said. "We become their teachers and it's more important that we teach these skills than just do the tasks ourselves. There's nothing more satisfying than seeing the joy in a little one's face when they've achieved a task that they couldn't once do."
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
