Nannies have played an important part in the life of the monarchy, and British royal children have often become very close to them – sometimes closer than they are to their parents. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have reportedly decided to break with centuries of tradition by choosing not to employ a full-time nanny for their child. Instead, they will rely on part-time help. Here’s a look back in time at the women employed to help raise the children of the British royals.
Royal Nurses, Nannies and Governesses Since 1948
Barry Batchelor / PA / AP
Prince Charles hired Tiggy Legge-Bourke to look after the young Princes William and Harry in 1993, shortly after he had separated from his wife, Diana, Princess of Wales. Legge-Bourke herself comes from an aristocratic family – she grew up at the 6,000-acre Glanusk Park estate in Wales, and she attended the same finishing school in Switzerland as Diana. In contrast to previous royal nannies, the 28-year-old was not in any way an authority figure to the young princes. “She was like a big sister,” says royal biographer Penny Junor. “Tiggy did all sorts of wild and crazy things with the boys, which they loved.” But she endured a fractious relationship with Diana.
