Key Highlights
- Zara Tindall vows to be a ‘hands on’ mother and avoid hiring a nanny.
- Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, the nanny of Prince and Princess of Wales, received a Royal Victorian Medal (Silver) for her services in 2026.
- While Zara does not employ a nanny, she has spoken openly about her childcare choices with her children Mia, Lena, and Lucas.
- Zara Tindall’s children have made public appearances at equestrian events near Gatcombe Park estate.
The Royal Choice: Zara Tindall’s Hands-On Approach to Parenting
With the Prince and Princess of Wales’ nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, recently honoured with a Royal Victorian Medal (Silver) for her services in 2026, attention has turned to other royal couples and their childcare arrangements. One such royal is Zara Tindall, King Charles’ niece and mother to three young children.
Zara, who shares Mia, Lena, and Lucas with her ex-England rugby star husband Mike Tindall, has made it clear that she prefers a more personal approach to raising her family. “The press have printed that I have a nanny, who is my best mate Dolly Maude,” Zara explained in 2014 after the birth of Mia. “She’s been to two competitions and helped me and she’s apparently my nanny… but she’s not, she’s got four of her own kids to look after.”
A Hands-On Mother
Despite the occasional mention of a nanny in the press, Zara has firmly stated that she is a full-time mother. “I am a full-time mother!” she declared in 2014. Her approach to parenting aligns with her desire to be deeply involved in her children’s lives. “I don’t know,” Zara added when asked if she would put work on hold to become a full-time mother, “The bigger they get, it’s easier for you to get back to what you were doing before.”
Public Appearances and Family Life
Zara Tindall has not shied away from public appearances with her children. Recently, all three of her young ones joined her at the New Year’s Day Racing Meet at Cheltenham Racecourse on 1 January. These events provide a glimpse into their family life and offer a contrast to the more high-profile appearances made by Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
While Zara and Mike’s children may not have the same level of public recognition as their cousins, they are often seen at equestrian events near the Tindall family home on Princess Anne’s Gatcombe Park estate in the Cotswolds. Mia and Lena were particularly noticeable when they accompanied their mother to the Christmas Day walkabout at Sandringham, where they wore matching winter coats.
The Role of Nannies
Though Zara Tindall does not employ a nanny for her children, it is worth noting that other royal families do. For example, Prince William and Kate have formed a close bond with their own nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo. She joined the household in 2014 after the birth of Prince George and has since become an integral part of the family’s routine.
A nanny like Maria typically takes on numerous responsibilities that include organising school pick-ups, planning meals, ensuring each child is prepared for their day, and providing a safe space to talk about how they are feeling.
These duties highlight the significant role nannies play in supporting royal families while allowing parents to maintain their busy schedules.
While Zara Tindall’s approach may differ from that of her cousins, it reflects her commitment to being present in every aspect of her children’s lives. As royal fans continue to follow the lives of these young royals, the choices made by each family provide insight into the diverse ways they balance their public and private roles.
