Royal watchers barely had time to register Princess Eugenie’s arrival at Buckingham Palace before their attention shifted elsewhere.
Yes, the King’s annual Christmas lunch was underway, and yes, Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank were among the guests.
But it was someone sitting quietly in the back seat of their car who ended up stealing the spotlight.
All Eyes on the Back Seat
Eugenie, 35, was spotted riding in the front passenger seat as Jack, 39, took the wheel.
Their two sons, August, four, and Ernest, two, were tucked into the back.
Sitting between them was an unidentified woman believed to be the boys’ nanny — and she certainly didn’t blend into the background.
With a nose ring and striking two-tone hair in blonde and black, her look was refreshingly modern and instantly set tongues wagging.
It was a sharp contrast to the traditional image many associate with royal childcare, and it didn’t go unnoticed by photographers or fans.
Parenting Across Two Countries
Help at home makes sense for Eugenie and Jack.
The couple juggle life between the UK and Portugal, balancing demanding careers alongside raising two young children.
Eugenie works as a gallery director, while Jack is a marketing executive, meaning their family life spans time zones, travel schedules and packed diaries.
Having extra hands on deck isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity.
Where Is ‘Gigi’ These Days?
Sarah Ferguson, affectionately known as “Gigi” to her grandchildren, has long been a devoted and hands-on grandmother to both Eugenie and Princess Beatrice’s children.
But she has noticeably retreated from public life in recent years following her links to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
Her reduced presence may also explain why professional childcare support has become more visible for Eugenie’s growing family.
A Stark Style Contrast at the Palace Gates
The nanny’s edgy appearance stood in sharp contrast to another familiar face at the Christmas lunch — Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, the long-serving nanny to the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Maria was photographed arriving with Prince William and Princess Charlotte, later joining Kate and Princes George and Louis for the festive gathering.
Where Eugenie’s nanny turned heads with her contemporary look, Maria’s appearance reflected the classic, polished style long associated with royal households.
The Woman Who Helped Raise the Wales Children
Maria has been part of William and Kate’s inner circle since 2014, when she was hired to care for Prince George as a baby.
A graduate of the prestigious Norland College in Bath, she later took on childcare duties for Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as well.
Although she no longer lives with the family following their move from Kensington Palace to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, Maria continues to care for the children while residing elsewhere.
Inside the World of Elite Nanny Training
Norland College is famous — and formidable.
The three-year course costs around £36,000 and goes far beyond nursery rhymes and bedtime routines.
Students wear distinctive uniforms and are trained in everything from child development to personal security.
Modern additions to the curriculum include martial arts, advanced driving techniques and handling paparazzi.
Tae Kwon-Do is reportedly adapted to scenarios involving prams and potential threats, while high-speed driving lessons take place at Castle Combe Racing Circuit in Wiltshire.
A Life That Nearly Took a Different Path
Maria’s background adds another layer to her story.
Born in Madrid and raised in Palencia in northern Spain, she was reportedly so devout in her youth that friends once believed she might become a nun.
Her disciplined lifestyle certainly fit the bill.
Her family has deep roots in education and faith.
One brother became a deacon, another is a highly sought-after violin and viola teacher, and her youngest sibling works as a teacher in France.
Maria herself left Spain more than two decades ago after completing a teaching degree, though she regularly returns home to see family.
Tradition Meets a New Generation
From the polished Norland-trained nanny at William and Kate’s side to the fashion-forward figure seated between Eugenie’s children, the King’s Christmas lunch offered a quiet snapshot of a changing royal world.
The Royals may cherish tradition, but behind the scenes, modern family life — complete with contemporary style choices and practical support — is very much on display.
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