The Rules Kate And William’s Kids Follow Under Their No-Nonsense Nanny

A school that trains nannies in martial arts and evasive driving techniques sounds like the premise of a Hollywood action movie. But these are reportedly the kinds of lessons a student will undertake if they are hoping for a job looking after younger members of the royal family. Traditionally, a whole fleet would have been employed to take care of royal kids. But in 2014 William and Katherine recruited just one woman for the task: the flawless childminder Maria Borrallo. And the strict rules that Maria has adopted to raise these future potential kings and queens are quite astonishing.

1. Tantrums are unacceptable

Maria is originally from Spain, but she trained as a nanny at the prestigious Norland College in the English city of Bath. And she now lives with the Prince and Princess of Wales at their Kensington Palace home. It’s likely, then, that she’s seen the royal tots have all kinds of angry outbursts — just like any other children their ages. So how do Norland College nannies deal with these stressful situations?

The nannying book

Louise Heren spent a year at Norland College and is the author of Nanny in a Book. In January 2019 she spoke to various publications about her experiences. “The tantrum can build because you’re not observing what they’re trying to get or do. Frustration is building,” Heren told Mirror Online. Norland nannies are trained to be alert to the children’s needs and can manage any situations before they escalate.

2. They should follow the nanny’s example

Norland nannies are taught a loving and nurturing method of childcare. But that’s not to say they’re pushovers when it comes to strictness. Heren told Mirror Online, “It is about training the children by example rather than just telling them.”

“It’s no-nonsense.”

Graduates from the prestigious British childcare college are identified by their distinct uniforms, which can appear quite stern and formal. But, as Heren told Fabulous Online, “It doesn’t have to be strict. Just because Norland nannies wear the brown uniform, they look quite old-fashioned, that doesn’t mean their message is old-fashioned. It’s no-nonsense.”

3. They must learn Spanish and French

Maria is fluent in Spanish and English — but she also speaks a further four languages. And Heren believes that the nanny encourages the royal kids to speak to her in French and her native tongue, as the children are reportedly learning both languages.

Culturally aware

It is Kate and William’s desire that their children learn about other cultures, too. This will mean, after all, that the children will be better prepared for their future royal duties abroad. And with head starts on their foreign vocabularies, the little ones will have good foundations on which to develop their language skills.

4. They have strict nap times

It can be difficult as a royal toddler to keep a strict routine. After all, the children may be expected to accompany their parents on royal engagements. Nanny Maria is on top of it all, though. Heren told Fabulous Online, “[She] will know their schedule. [Maria] will be doing a lot of explaining to them what is happening.” But if there’s one thing they won’t deviate from, it’s nap time.

Fighting the excitement

Heren went on, “If the children have traveled 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 nap time.”

5. Never use the word “kids”

Heren explained that students at Norland College are taught to avoid using one word in particular when referring to the royal tots. That word is, of course, “kids.” Charlotte, George, and Louis are likely to be referred to as “children” instead.

Top professional

This use of language illustrates the strict adherence to protocol — a fundamental aspect of the training that takes place at Norland College. And it’s this professionalism that makes Maria reportedly one of the top nannies in Britain. And it’s probably what got her hired with the Prince and Princess of Wales.

6. They must go to bed at 7:00 p.m.

One of Maria’s rules is to apparently ensure that Kate and William’s children are in bed by 7:00 p.m. But while kids will perhaps balk at the prospect of sleeping at this time, this Norland nanny is prepared for such an eventuality. Maria has a strict routine when it comes to bedtime for the royal kids.

Unwind routine

Every night, the children follow a routine that includes bath time, pajamas, and a bedtime story, according to Mirror Online. This schedule helps the young ones unwind so that by the final stage of this process, they’re ready for some shut-eye and that they’re well-rested for whatever the following day has in store.

7. There musn't be any fuss at meal times

George, Charlotte, and Louis are taught from the beginning to keep an open mind when it comes to food. In fact, there’s a saying about staffers who come from Maria’s teaching institution: “You don’t have a fussy eater if you have a Norland nanny.” Tears for broccoli won’t be tolerated!

Prepare for anything

According to reports, the children are supposed to try everything that gets put on their plates. But the reason behind this is interesting. Louis, Charlotte, and George will eat a variety of different food types at galas when they’re grown up — and no one wants a grimaced face at meal time.

8. Play must take place outdoors

Heren spoke to The Sun’s Fabulous Online in January 2019 about some of the fun activities that Maria will do with the royal children. The author said, “There will be lots and lots of outdoor play, that’s the one thing you could say Norland is old-fashioned about. Loads of fresh air.”

Dirt is expected

Heren went on, “[There will be] lots of bike rides, playing with their dogs [and] potentially some gardening. Norland is very into teaching children through play.” She added, “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 inappropriate clothing; you have to put the right stuff on.”

9. They must behave in public

There is a level of expectation on the children when they accompany their parents on public engagements. Heren said, “There will be no messing. That’s because Maria will be aware that as they step off planes, holding mom’s [hand], smiling and waving to the crowds, there can’t be any crying or terrible twos or tantrums.”

Dressed to the nines

Of course, life as royal toddlers is different from that of other children, and Maria must have the princes and princess prepared for formal appearances. So on top of behaving correctly, the royal kids must be dressed appropriately as well.

10. Their screentime is limited

Kate and William reportedly decide the amount of time that George, Louis, and Charlotte can spend on iPads and watching television. And as you’d expect, it’s pretty limited. So if the children aren’t watching re-runs of Frozen, what do they do instead?

Analog hobbies

Well, Heren told Fabulous Online that the royal children will often pass the time putting jigsaws together or playing educational games. And in terms of the types of hobbies that the children enjoy, Marie Claire reports that George is a fan of ballet.

11. They can choose their own activities

Norland childminders reportedly get the children involved in arranging their own activities as soon as they are old enough. By allowing the youngsters to plan the day, you see, there can be little room for argument. For instance, if the child chooses to bake a cake or go for a bicycle ride in the park, it’s an activity they chose for themselves and are therefore more likely to commit to it.

Taste of independence

Heren told Mirror Online, “It means that the nanny has got some control, but the child has chosen what to do and is happy that they got the choice.” Allowing the royal kids the chance to plan their exercise also gives them a taste of the independence they will enjoy in later life.

12. They must acknowledge fans

As well as performing typical nanny duties, Maria must remember who she is helping to raise: royalty. Heren explained that Kate likely prepares her children for public engagements by letting them know in advance what’s going to happen. And one of the golden rules that the kids must follow is a curious one.

It's a big job

Before a public event, the children are told who they will meet, and if anyone waves to them, they must wave back. Heren told Mirror Online, “[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.”

13. They learn whenever they can

When George, Charlotte, and Louis sit down to eat their meals, Maria takes it as an opportunity to continue their education. While, yes, the royal tots do seem to be growing up quickly, they do still have a lot to learn.

Always a time to grow

So, while the royal children are chomping down on their dinner, Maria will use it as a chance to get their brain juices flowing. According to MailOnline, “This includes everything from them practicing their math skills by counting out the cutlery and china to developing their knowledge of color when selecting certain items.”

14. They can choose their own food — within reason

In a similar way to having the children select daily activities, Maria will also offer them options at meal times. Then, if there are any objections from the child, the nanny has grounds for a comeback. Yet the royal youngsters will not have free reign; their options will be limited to a choice of food selected by their elders.

Color practice

For instance, the children may be offered several vegetables to have with their meal, and they can pick two. Heren told Mirror Online, “If they are informed beforehand, you don’t get a grizzly child.” And it’s a double win for Maria because she can get the kids to practice their colors while they’re choosing which veg they want.

15. They should always be presentable

Being in the public eye, the royal children are always expected to be smartly dressed. Heren said, “You get up, have breakfast, you go to school and you wear your school uniform whether you like it or not. It would be quite like the average British school children.” And that’s another job that falls, in part, to Maria.

Strict dress code

Smart dressing is something that Maria will be familiar with from her days at the prestigious Norland College, of course. According to News.com.au, students have to pay around $1,200 for a series of uniforms that change according to the seasons. The publication said, “Shoes must be plain brown/leather... flat lace-ups. In summer, nannies wear light tights and white gloves. In winter, they switch to dark tights, brown gloves and coat.” The website went on, “The practical uniform consists of dark blue trousers and jumper and a lighter blue polo shirt. Fingernails must be short, clean and without nail polish.”

16. They must wash hands before meal times

As dinner approaches, George, Charlotte, and Louis will be encouraged to wash their hands ten minutes before they eat, as per Norland College teachings. While that’s an important task for any child before sitting down to dine, the institution believes that it’s helpful to develop good habits when it comes to daily routines such as eating.

All about routine

Norland nannies believe very strongly in the significance of routines — particularly for the more important parts of the day. Heren explained, “Children understand routine, but they like to be informed of [what it is specifically]. Even if lunchtime is half an hour later, the clues that lead up to it stay the same.”

17. They’re expected to help set the table

Despite being royalty, Kate and William’s children aren’t waited on for every task and activity. They’re expected to help out rather than have everything done for them. This includes setting the table — another important part of the meal-time routine for the children.

Chores and learn

And when the children were small, the task of putting the correct number of cups and dishes on the table in preparation for dinner was seen as an opportunity for them to practice their counting. Any opportunity to help them learn! Heren explained how the dinnertime process might look: “Ten minutes to go, wash your hands, can you help me set the table?”

18. No night lights allowed

Although Kate and William’s children are still very young, there are times when they won’t be monitored full-time — when they are asleep, for instance. So another of life’s hurdles Maria will help the youngsters overcome is being left alone in the dark. They need to be comfortable sleeping through the night on their own.

Restful sleep

Norland nannies prefer it if the children can get a restful night's sleep without the aid of lights. But, as Heren explained in Nanny In A Book, “Although a night light is not necessary for helping your baby go off to sleep, a low lamp you can switch on when checking on [them] that does not create a blaze of light could be useful.”

18. They must abide by the sticker chart

Reward charts can often be used to recognize when a child has done something good. But when it comes to nannying the Norland way, the opposite is also true. A sticker chart is sometimes used to mark unwanted behavior, too! That’s one parents might want to note down.

Absolutely no naughtiness

This kind of sticker chart will help teach the royal children how to behave properly — reminding them of past mistakes. But this “no-nonsense” upbringing, as Heren told Fabulous Online, is different in other ways, too. Rather than embrace naughty steps, for instance, they're banned as a parenting method.

20. They have to smile

Keeping up appearances is a must — especially for a royal child. And a big part of Kate and William’s children’s lives will be spent in the public eye. Heren explained to Fabulous Online that Maria will make sure that the kids are alert and ready to go out with a smile on their faces when they’re in public.

Doing it for mom and dad

Smiling when carrying out your duties is an important aspect for any royal family member when out in public. Heren explained to Fabulous Online, “[Maria will] say, ‘This is your opportunity to show mommy 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.’”