Managing parenting with work can be hard, especially when you’re the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
With a wide range of responsibilities throughout the year, it’s unsurprising that Kate Middleton and Prince William summoned the professional help of a nanny following the birth of Prince George in 2013.
Maria Borrallo was trained in the very fancy nanny school Norland College, an institution known for their… strict parenting styles.
The Bath-based school has trained over 10,000 nannies since it was established in 1892, all of whom work for high-profile families, and according to Norland expert Louise Heren, the nannies are trained with a “no nonsense” parenting approach.
Some of the strict rules include a 7pm bed time, and the introduction of new foods and flavours every few days to discourage picky eating.
One rule in particular could be very difficult to stick to in the English winter. All playtime is to take place outside, regardless of the weather.
“Lots of bike rides, playing with their dogs, potentially some gardening. Norland are very into teaching children through play,” Louise told The Sun.
“If it is tipping down, they will still go out. Wet weather is just inappropriate clothing, you have to put the right stuff on,” she added.
Since the Cambridge children are expected to be on their best behaviour in public, Maria is very strict.
There are no use of naughty steps, despite Super Nanny’s advice, but sticker charts are occasionally used depending on the chid.
“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,” Louise told The Sun.
The children are taught lessons through play, using games like jigsaws, however, screen time depends entirely on the parents.
It is also believed that Maria speaks to the children in… six languages.
And to top it all off, she also looks like Mary Poppins. Which is very important.
Due to the close proximity of Maria to the family, it is likely she is treated as a member of the family, rather than a member of staff.
She briefs the children on events they have to attend, ensuring they are emotionally prepared for whatever their social calendar demands.
Now that's some next level nannying.
Top Comments
Not one of these sounds even slightly strange.
Nothing wrong with appropriately dressed kids playing outside in colder weather. I bet Scandinavian kids play outside in winter, lots of kids grow up in cold places. None of these rules sound strange at all, they sound perfectly sensible. Trying new foods, early bedtimes, learning to behave, what’s strange about any of that?
I agree none of this seems odd. In fact having raised three kids for a short while in England. Unless the weather was really horrid we would spend as much time as possible outside. Even the school would make them go outside for a while
I grew up in NZ and we walked to school in winter - we ‘skated’ on the frosty nature strips! Wore wooly hats and gloves with big coats, never thought twice about it. (15 miles, in the dark, uphill both ways, kids today don’t know they’re born!)