“They’re very cheeky,” Prince William told ITV documentary A Planet for Us All last year, adding that his little rascals love nothing more than rough-and-tumble rambling and exploring the wonders of the countryside.
“They find a bug or they love watching how bees are forming the honey,” William said. “George particularly, if he’s not outdoors, he’s quite like a caged animal. He needs to get outside.”
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A real little social butterfly, it’s chatty Princess Charlotte who usually has the whole family in fits of laughter.
“Charlotte can floss,” William said of her skills with the popular dance trend.
He also revealed that the confident and cheeky youngster, who loves to cook, and eats olives, has a bossy streak to her.
‘If you ask her, she says she’s 16… Charlotte says, ‘I’m six now, I’ll do what I want,” the Duke of Cambridge joked.
Meanwhile, proud mum Duchess Kate recently admitted she can barely keep up with the smallest of the Cambridge clan, Prince Louis, who has a fascination with tractors.
“Louis has gotten so big now – he’s very quick running around,” the duchess explained. “He’s on his little scooter as well. He’s very quick. I can’t keep up with him!”
Nanny Maria makes magic
For centuries, the nanny has been considered an important figure within royal households. From caring for a future monarch to witnessing what really goes on behind palace walls, it’s a position of the utmost privilege.
When Prince George was born in 2013, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge recruited their own real-life Mary Poppins, nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo.
According to the author and social historian Louise Heren, who spent 12 months researching the prestigious Norland College where Maria trained before landing the coveted role, George, Charlotte and Louis are happy and content in Maria’s care.
“[But] there will be no messing,” Louise told The Sun of Maria’s no-nonsense approach to looking after the tiny royals.
Louise even credits Maria for the Cambridge children’s good manners, revealing that she would have taught the trio how to be on their best behaviour, especially when out and about on official engagements, accompanying their parents.
“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 tantrums,” Louise explained.
“She’ll say [to them]: ‘This is your opportunity to show Mummy and Daddy just how wonderful you are, and you are to smile and be really good for them and then we can go inside and play.’ ”
However, as all parents with little ones can attest, keeping the children in line isn’t always straightforward!
“Her (Maria’s) job is to keep them happy, safe and well, but equally they need to be presentable and well-behaved when they are on parade,” Louise added.
“If the children have travelled on royal engagements, it will be jolly difficult getting the kids to bed because of the excitement and the timetable of events.
When you see William and Kate go off to a function and the children aren’t with them, they will be having naptime.”
Getting their hands dirty
Rain, hail, or shine, Louise also noted that nanny Maria makes sure the children get lots of fresh air – while getting their hands dirty outdoors.
“There will be lots and lots of outdoor play, that’s the one thing you could say Norland are old-fashioned about. Loads of fresh air.
“Lots of bike rides, playing with their dogs, potentially some gardening. Norland is very into teaching children through play.”
“Yes, you are getting mucky with your hands in the soil but you are learning how to plant.”
“If it is tipping it down, they will still go out. Wet weather is just [avoiding] inappropriate clothing; you have to put the right stuff on.”
Party of five
William and Kate are adamant about ensuring their children have a relatively normal upbringing where possible.
“William and Kate have worked out the fine balance between being both hardworking royals and hands-on parents,” Sarajane Ambrose, founder of Imperial Nannies, London’s leading nanny and governess agency, tells Royals Monthly.
“Kate often drops the kids off at school, and you can see the way the Cambridges interact as a family that they are extremely close.
While Kate and William prioritise being parents, they don’t neglect their royal duties, and this will only be achievable with the most expert help from their nanny.
The relief she provides is invaluable, and it allows them to fulfil their duties, knowing that the children are safe, secure and content.”
In 2020, the duchess opened up about family time, saying she’s happiest when out in the countryside – and that the whole Cambridge crew is “filthy dirty”. “That’s what I want them to remember.
Those moments with me as a mother, but also the family going to the beach, getting soaking wet, filling our boots full of water, those are what I’d want them to remember, not a stressful household where you’re trying to do everything but not really succeeding at one thing,” she said.
Playing by the rules
It can’t always be fun and games. In fact, when the children are in the care of their nanny, there are a number of rules and strict protocols that she must follow.
“Photographs are strictly forbidden, as are social media accounts,” Sarajane explains. Social media could jeopardise the privacy of the children and pose a security risk.
With that said, the nanny may still have a private social media account but, once again, sharing anything relating to the working day with the children will be forbidden.”
Sarajane adds that a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) would be par for the course: “This would happen before they even start the interview process. Once offered the position, the NDA would be amended accordingly.”
The nanny expert continues: “I cannot stress the importance of discretion when it comes to hiring a nanny for a royal family.
Such prestigious families require the finest professionals, who are dignified, diligent and get the job done in an efficient manner without interest in the attention that surrounds the family.
Most nannies are proud professionals who wouldn’t dream of risking their cherished roles for one minute of fame, but it is important to find individuals who are not impressed by the fanfare that these types of families can inspire.”