Within the walls of the Prince and Princess of Wales's home, a strict linguistic rule is enforced by the family's long-serving nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo. The word 'kids' is expressly forbidden when referring to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, as it is considered disrespectful to them as individuals.
The Norland Nanny's Rigorous Regime
Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, who hails from Palencia in Spain, has been the live-in nanny for the Wales children since 2014, joining the household when Prince George was just a few months old. She is a graduate of the world-renowned Norland College in Bath, an institution famed for training elite childcare practitioners.
Insights into the professional protocols Borrallo follows came from Louise Heren, author of 'Nanny in a Book', who shared details from her time researching at Norland. "The word kid is banned," Heren confirmed to the Mirror. "It's a mark of respect for the children as individuals."
A Surprisingly Normal Royal Childhood
Despite their global fame, Heren suggests the young royals enjoy a remarkably typical home life. "Given what we have seen of Catherine when she is out in public, she's very hands-on," Heren said. "I imagine her relationship with Maria is very close and they collaborate greatly on the care of the children."
The daily routine for George, Charlotte, and Louis is described as familiar to many British families. "You get up, have breakfast, you go to school and you wear your school uniform whether you like it or not," Heren explained, based on conversations with nannies who have worked for other royal families. "It would be quite like the average British school child."
Continuing a Family Tradition of Languages
In addition to her primary childcare duties, Maria Borrallo is teaching the young princes and princess Spanish. This continues a strong family tradition of multilingualism. The Princess of Wales proudly revealed during a farm visit in 2017 that a three-year-old Prince George could already count to ten in Spanish.
While the late Queen and King Charles were accomplished linguists, Prince William is reportedly the most proficient. The Prince of Wales is said to be fluent in French, German, and Spanish, and can also speak Welsh, Gaelic, and Swahili, which he mastered during his university studies.
The arrangement highlights the balance the Waleses strike between their demanding public roles and family life. While William and Catherine are famously involved parents, the support of a highly-trained professional like Borrallo allows them to fulfil their official duties, safe in the knowledge their children's care adheres to both loving and impeccably professional standards.
