Catherine, Princess of Wales—or as she's affectionately known to most, Kate Middleton—has just granted (along with her husband, Prince William) a special honor to one of their inner circle...and the Palace is trying to keep it on the DL.
During an investiture ceremony in Windsor earlier this week, the couple's long-term nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, who first began working for the Wales family when Prince George (now 12) was just 8 months old, was honored with the Royal Victorian Medal (Silver).
Maria now also cares for Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, who is 7.
The Royal Victorian Medal is a special recognition from the Prince and Princess of Wales to thank Maria for her service to them, their children and, by default, the crown. It differs from the likes of MBEs or knighthoods (which you'll often see given to celebs and athletes), because this one is decided entirely by the royal family alone.
Recipients don’t receive a formal title like “Sir” or “Dame,” but do get a name change in another way; they can use the post-nominal letters RVM after their name. Fancy!
Prince William was the one to physically present Maria with the award on March 24; however, unlike others who were honored during the same investiture ceremony, the nanny was deliberately not pictured or videoed during the ceremony—in an effort to maintain her privacy.
Although she has worked for the family for over a decade now, Maria has only been pictured on rare occasions, often in the background at high-profile events such as weddings or Christmas.
Trained at the prestigious Norland College in Bath for nannies, the Spanish childcare expert is said to “love the [royal] children dearly,” according to a source via People. “She can be firm and strict, but she is very loving and soft with them, too,” they added.
