Royal observers were given a first look at who is believed to be Princess Eugenie's nanny during the annual King's Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace yesterday. The event, a festive tradition for the Royal Family, saw the 35-year-old granddaughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II arrive with her husband, Jack Brooksbank, 39.
A Modern Royal Nanny Makes an Appearance
While Princess Eugenie was seen in the front passenger seat of the car, with Jack driving, it was the unidentified woman in the back seat who drew significant attention. Positioned between Eugenie's two sons, four-year-old August and two-year-old Ernest, the woman is strongly believed to be the family's nanny. Her contemporary look, featuring an eye-catching nose ring and blonde and black hair, presented a striking contrast to the more formal image traditionally associated with royal childcare.
This modern aesthetic was notably different from that of Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, the long-serving nanny for the Prince and Princess of Wales's three children, who also attended the lunch. Maria was photographed in a separate car alongside Prince William and Princess Charlotte as they made their way to the palace gathering.
The Traditional Norland Nanny: Maria Borrallo
Maria Borrallo represents the classic model of royal childcare. A graduate of the prestigious Norland College in Bath, she was hired by William and Kate in 2014 when Prince George was just eight months old. She has since cared for Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as well. Kensington Palace confirmed her appointment at the time, stating she was a full-time nanny who would accompany the family on their tour of Australia and New Zealand.
Norland's rigorous three-year degree programme, costing £36,000 in total, is renowned for its distinctive uniform and comprehensive training. The curriculum has evolved to include modern necessities such as martial arts—specifically adapted Taekwondo to evade potential kidnappers—and advanced stunt driving at the Castle Combe circuit to handle any weather condition at high speed. Nannies are also trained in managing paparazzi.
Originally from Spain, Maria was a live-in nanny at Kensington Palace before the family's move to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor. She now cares for the children while living separately. Friends from her hometown of Palencia have suggested her austere lifestyle might once have led her to become a nun, a path her brother Luis followed by being ordained a deacon.
Two Styles of Royal Childcare
The side-by-side appearance of the two nannies at the same event highlights the personal choices different branches of the Royal Family make regarding their children's upbringing. While the Waleses have opted for the highly structured, security-focused Norland tradition, Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank appear to have chosen a caregiver with a more relaxed and contemporary personal style.
This glimpse into the private arrangements of a working royal offers a rare insight into the blend of tradition and modern family life within the monarchy. The event itself, the King's Christmas lunch, remains a steadfast tradition, but the individuals who attend, even those in supporting roles, reflect the evolving character of the modern royal household.
