How Many Nannies Do William and Kate Have? The Real Story Behind the Royal Household Staff
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When people ask how many nannies William and Kate have, they’re not just curious about numbers-they’re trying to understand how a modern royal family balances public duty with private life. The answer isn’t simple, and it’s not fixed. There’s no official job title like "Head Nanny" on the Buckingham Palace payroll. Instead, the Cambridges rely on a rotating team of trusted caregivers who work behind the scenes, often for years, quietly shaping the upbringing of Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
It’s Not One Nanny-It’s a System
Contrary to what you might see in tabloids, William and Kate don’t hire a single nanny to handle everything. They’ve built a flexible childcare structure that changes as the children grow. For example, when Prince George was born in 2013, they brought in Caroline Hare a former nursery school teacher with over 20 years of experience working with royal and aristocratic families. She was the primary caregiver during George’s earliest years, living in the family’s apartment at Kensington Palace. By the time Princess Charlotte arrived in 2015, Hare was still on board, but a second nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo a Spanish-trained early childhood specialist who previously worked with the royal family in Spain, was hired to help manage the growing demands of two young children.
By 2018, when Prince Louis was born, the team expanded again. Borrallo became the main nanny, taking on more responsibility as George and Charlotte entered school. Hare stepped back into a part-time advisory role. This isn’t chaos-it’s strategy. The Cambridges prefer to keep continuity by retaining staff long-term, even if roles shift. They don’t want children bouncing between unfamiliar caregivers.
Why Do They Need More Than One?
Most families don’t need two nannies. But royal families aren’t most families. William and Kate’s schedule is packed with official engagements, international tours, and public appearances. When Kate was pregnant with Louis, she still attended over 100 public events. William was frequently deployed for military duties, even after stepping back from full-time royal work. That means the children need consistent, reliable care-day and night.
One nanny can’t be everywhere. One can’t handle school runs, doctor’s appointments, weekend trips, and overnight stays all at once. That’s why the Cambridges use a dual-nanny model: one focuses on daily routines-meals, playtime, bedtime-while the other manages logistics, travel, and school coordination. It’s not luxury. It’s necessity.
What Do These Nannies Actually Do?
Forget the image of nannies in old-fashioned uniforms. These are highly trained early childhood professionals. Borrallo, for instance, holds certifications in Montessori education and child psychology. She doesn’t just watch the kids-she plans their learning, coordinates with their private tutors, and ensures they get enough outdoor time, even in London’s rainy weather.
Their duties include:
- Managing daily schedules across three children with different needs
- Coordinating with private tutors and therapists
- Planning educational outings (museums, parks, science centers)
- Overseeing nutrition and sleep routines
- Handling travel logistics for royal family trips
- Acting as a buffer between the children and media attention
They also help teach the children how to behave in public without making them feel like they’re on display. That’s harder than it sounds. One nanny once quietly moved a stroller out of a crowd of photographers so Charlotte could nap undisturbed. That kind of discretion is part of the job.
How Are They Selected?
The Cambridges don’t use agencies. They rely on word-of-mouth from trusted connections in royal circles. Many of their caregivers have worked with previous generations-Queen Elizabeth’s former nanny, for example, recommended Borrallo. Background checks are exhaustive. References are checked across multiple countries. And the interview process can take months.
They look for:
- Experience with high-profile families
- Fluency in English and at least one other language
- Discretion and emotional resilience
- Formal training in child development
- Willingness to live on-site or be available 24/7 during travel
They don’t hire based on looks, connections to royalty, or social status. They hire based on competence and calmness under pressure.
Do They Live With the Family?
Yes-mostly. Borrallo lives in a private apartment within Kensington Palace. She has her own entrance, but she’s close enough to respond quickly. Hare, who now works part-time, lives nearby in a rented flat in Notting Hill. The children’s nannies are treated as extended family members. They’re invited to birthdays, holidays, and even family dinners.
That level of integration isn’t unusual. Prince Charles’s former nanny, Beryl Pritchard who cared for him and Prince Andrew for over 15 years, was so close to the family that she was invited to the Queen’s coronation. The Cambridges follow the same tradition: loyalty is rewarded with stability and trust.
What Happens When the Kids Grow Up?
As George, Charlotte, and Louis get older, the number of nannies will shrink. George is now in primary school, and he has a dedicated school nanny who accompanies him on field trips and helps with homework. Charlotte, who started school in 2022, has a separate school-based caregiver. That means the full-time nanny role is slowly transitioning into a part-time, advisory one.
By the time Prince Louis is in middle school, the Cambridges may rely on just one nanny for occasional support-mainly for travel, emergencies, or special events. That’s how it worked for Prince William. He had a full-time nanny until he was 12. After that, his care shifted to house staff and tutors.
Why Does This Matter?
People talk about royal nannies like they’re celebrities. But the real story is about parenting in the spotlight. William and Kate didn’t hire nannies to outsource their responsibilities. They hired them to protect their children’s childhood. They know the world is watching. They know every photo, every moment, could be magnified. That’s why they choose people who understand silence, routine, and safety-not fame or fortune.
It’s not about how many nannies they have. It’s about how carefully they’ve chosen them.
Do William and Kate pay their nannies out of pocket?
Yes. The nannies are paid directly by the Cambridges using their private income from the Duchy of Cornwall. They are not government employees, and their salaries are not funded by taxpayers. Their contracts include housing, travel, and benefits, but the cost is covered by the family’s personal funds, not public money.
How much do royal nannies earn?
Royal nannies earn between £50,000 and £80,000 per year, depending on experience and responsibilities. Borrallo’s salary is estimated to be around £70,000, plus housing and benefits. That’s significantly higher than the UK average for childcare professionals, which is about £30,000. The pay reflects the high level of responsibility, security clearance, and 24/7 availability required.
Do the children have separate nannies for each school?
Yes. Each child has a dedicated school nanny who accompanies them on field trips, helps with homework, and ensures they’re not overwhelmed by public attention. These are different from the full-time nannies who manage home life. The school nannies are hired through private agencies specializing in elite education support.
Are the nannies allowed to speak to the press?
No. All nannies sign strict confidentiality agreements. Breaking them would result in immediate termination and legal action. Even after leaving their roles, they are legally bound from discussing their time with the family. This is why so little is known about their daily routines.
Do William and Kate ever do childcare themselves?
Absolutely. William has been photographed dropping George off at school, helping Charlotte with homework, and reading bedtime stories. Kate has taken the children on private outings without nannies, especially during holidays. The nannies support the parents-they don’t replace them. The family’s philosophy is clear: parenting comes first.
What’s Next for the Royal Nannies?
As the children grow, the role of the nanny will evolve. George is already showing interest in sports and outdoor activities. Charlotte loves art and animals. Louis is still very young, but his personality is starting to emerge. The nannies will adapt-more field trips, more educational planning, more emotional support as the kids navigate public life.
One thing won’t change: the Cambridges will keep choosing caregivers who are calm, competent, and quiet. Because in the end, the best nannies aren’t the ones who make headlines. They’re the ones who let children be children-even when the whole world is watching.