Prince William and Princess Kate have made many parenting choices that set their family apart, but one of the most fascinating is that their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, have been raised with Spanish from an early age.
While the young royals are best known for their polished appearances at public events, they have quietly grown up in a bilingual environment thanks to one important member of the Wales household, their longtime Spanish nanny, María Teresa Turrión Borrallo.
© Yui Mok - PA ImagesOriginally from Palencia, Spain, María Teresa joined the family in 2014, shortly after Prince George's birth. A graduate of the prestigious Norland College, she has remained a trusted presence throughout the childhood of George, Charlotte and Louis, accompanying them on royal tours, family outings and major royal celebrations.
Earlier this year, her years of dedicated service were officially recognized when she received the Royal Victorian Medal. The decision to expose the children to Spanish wasn't accidental.
© PoolAccording to multiple reports over the years, Prince William encouraged María Teresa to speak Spanish with the children from an early age so they would naturally absorb the language as they grew up.
One of the earliest public hints came from Princess Kate herself. During an engagement in 2018, she revealed that Prince George could already count to ten in Spanish, crediting his nanny for teaching him.
© Chris JacksonReports also suggested that Princess Charlotte quickly picked up Spanish words and phrases, while the youngest sibling, Prince Louis, began learning simple expressions during his toddler years.
Although there has never been official confirmation that the three children are fully fluent, bilingualism has become a consistent part of their upbringing.
© Max Mumby/IndigoRoyal experts have long noted that María Teresa speaks Spanish with them during everyday routines, allowing the language to become a natural part of family life rather than a classroom subject.
The choice reflects William and Kate's modern approach to parenting. Alongside encouraging outdoor activities, cooking and as normal a childhood as possible despite royal life, they have embraced the benefits of learning another language from an early age.
© Max Mumby/IndigoAs Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis continue to grow into their future royal roles, their ability to communicate in Spanish could become an unexpected advantage.
With more than 500 million Spanish speakers worldwide, it is one skill that may prove particularly valuable during future overseas engagements and diplomatic visits.
© Mark Cuthbert
