As we discussed yesterday, Princess Charlotte’s little baby-dress was finally identified. It was made by a Spanish retailer, m&h, and it was reportedly purchased for Charlotte by her Spanish nanny, Maria. The very few times Charlotte has been seen out publicly, she’s worn Spanish designers or items of clothing given to Kate by Nanny Maria. I find it odd. Obviously, Maria loves her job and she loves her young charges, but I doubt Maria has some huge salary where she can just endlessly “gift” clothing to the kids. It’s especially odd given that A) Kate is a champion shopper, B) Carole is a champion shopper & she’s been seen shopping for the kids, and C) Kate loves to spend her father-in-law’s money. So why is Charlotte being dressed in Spanish designers, with clothing purchased by Maria? Well, People Magazine might have some explanations.
Christmas came early for the European children’s wear brands that scored a surprise appearance in Princess Charlotte’s first solo portraits. The m&h floral-print cotton dress with smocking effect and frill collar, a style very popular for young babies in Spain, is believed to have been bought by nanny Maria Turrion Borrallo. It has since sold out, but designer Margarita Pato Cid is working to restock. The cotton dress cost just $32, but it was paired with a luxurious cashmere cardigan (still unidentified) and pale pink ribbed tights from upscale London boutique Amaia, a favorite of Princess Kate’s located in Chelsea Green.
“I think it’s nice that Kate chose a dress from a really small brand that nobody knows,” Amaia Arrieta, owner of the eponymous boutique, tells PEOPLE, adding that the style was far from surprising: “The kids in Spain are always immaculate and it does have a great reputation for kids’ fashion – it’s traditional, but the cut is little bit more modern, which I think she likes.”
With a clear love of Spanish kids’ clothing (not only is Amaia herself Spanish-born, but Kate exclusively dressed Charlotte in high-end Spanish children’s wear and home goods boutique Irulea for every public appearance so far, except the christening), it’s clear that nanny Maria is having a sartorial influence.
“I think the nanny understands what Kate likes, and she is happy for her to buy things – it’s easier because it’s more discreet,” says Arrieta, whose sock sales have been booming ever since Prince George became a fan of her cotton knee-highs.
And it seems that Kate’s love of European children’s wear also extends to Italy as Kate, her sister Pippa and Maria have all bought items from the Italian cashmere brand Love In Kyó, stocked at both Nursery Window and Trotters, two of Kate’s go-to shops in London’s Chelsea neighborhood. They even made some bespoke items for George when his size wasn’t available.
Is British-made kids’ fashion really bad or something? Kate has always had a responsibility to wear and promote British designers, so is it weird that she feels no responsibility to dress her kids in British-made clothing? Why is everything Spanish and Italian? Why are they buying luxury Italian cashmere for children? Why does Nanny Maria have such a big say in what the kids are wearing? Why does Nanny Maria think it’s her job to shop for kids’ clothes? So many questions.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Kensington Palace.
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
She’s a baby. She has a lot of things to worry about. Poop schedules and food-throwing. She has enough on her plate without having to worry about being nitpicked over who she’s wearing.
#askherless
and napping. Don’t forget about napping
Perhaps the nanny dresses the baby in clothes of her choice because Kate absents herself from the nursery.
Kate doesn’t have to worry about anything: two nannies and two night nurses. Housekeeper. Cooks. Personal assistant. Public relations staff.
It is surprising Kate doesn’t even manage to go shopping for her kids considering her love of shopping and her alleged love and hands-on-approach to her kids.
i can’t believe, that Kate would pass on a shopping opportunity. Voluntarily at that.
I think it’s an honor for the nanny to be able to choose the clothes the kid wears 😉 She may not be a godparent, but she’ll be very close to those kids . It’s nice that kate allows her some recognition. If i were the nanny i would be pleased.
Exactly. I also think it shows she is very fond of the children. I would want my kids to have a nice bond with their nanny(if I had one) I really don’t see the problem here.
Agree — there is nothing to see here. My nanny occasionally buys my son clothes because she loves him and thinks its fun to dress him up in cute clothes. My husband and I both work full time and most of our son’s clothes are hand-me downs, so I have no problem with her getting him new pants if she chooses to do so for her own amusement.
Lots to criticize when it comes to Kate M, but this isn’t it.
I don’t see the problem. It’s just clothing. I highly doubt Maria is out spending her own money. More like the Cambridges have an account set up various places or Maria has a credit card for the expenses when she takes the kids out and she uses that.
I think it’s nice.
This is probably the thing. Nanny has a credit card to buy things for the kids. Maybe Kate or Carole make scouting trips and send Nanny back later to buy the things.
I don’t know. My daughter’s old nanny used to love to buy her clothes. Her grandkids were getting older, and she loved to shop. I would imagine if she is doing a lot of the shopping, she is not using her own money.
The Spanish dress their children in a very particular, old fashioned, prissy, princessy kind of style. Children are always immaculately dressed in smock type dresses in pastel colours with bows in their hair and the boys wear knee socks and sailer suits. You wouldn’t catch a Spanish child wearing trainers and a sweatshirt. They all look like they’re about to go and sit for their portrait to be painted in the 1800s. Seriously.
This kind of style is not popular in England where people tend to dress their kids more practically or more fashionably so if its a style Kate prefers it makes sense that she’s shopping abroad. It also makes sense that the Nanny would be buying the clothes as she probably spends more time in Spain and is more familiar with the brands there.
My Spanish boyfriend’s immediate and extended family must be far from the norm then. His sister is, shall we say, not at all sartorially inclined and her 6 month old son is always dressed in whatever is at the top of the pile that day (as it should be, his mother’s got better things to do).
I had to laugh when I read the designer’s comment that “The kids in Spain are always immaculate” because that is FAR from my experience. Knee socks wouldn’t last a minute in those play groups.
Kate’s way of dressing her children ensures that they will feel special and elite and we-don’t-dress-like-the-hoi-polloi. If she goes on like this these kids will have lots of trouble to connect with ordinary people. And that in turn is a stark contrast to what was said about Kate Middleton: that she would help the Royal Family to understand average people better.
Really? Just returned from ten days in Barcelona and I thought all the kids I saw whether at the park, on the metro or running down the sidewalk were dressed quite like children everywhere…maybe a little more cosmopolitan but I didn’t see anyone dressed out of the ordinary or primly.
Oh my god. Who cares.
Ditto.
When I had a nanny, she would pick the clothes in the morning that my son would were. For two reasons: I did not consider his outfit so important that I needed to lay it out the night before and second, I also did not consider his layout important enough to go in his room and fumble in the closet in the morning at 7:00 am before leaving for the office.
Part of the nanny’s care taking involved choosing weather appropriate apparel for the day from his closet. Big whoop.
As for who buys the items, in their case it can be a combination of things – as some have said above. Kate may have accounts at stores and chooses stuff nine, the many picks them up. Or the nanny occasionally gets presents for the kids – and don’t think she is not making a good salary because she is. When I was placing nannies, the British trained Norland ladies were commanding $100K in North America. When you consider that they live in and their expenses, including a car and phone, are covered, that is a pretty good wage.
And finally… poor kid doesn’t have a chance if her fashion choices (not her own) are a subject of debate.
Personally I think the nanny and the babies are caught in a trap not of their choosing or making. Their parents are so busy spinning and re-spinning the ‘we are so normal’ line that when information comes out that doesn’t support that line, they receive the brunt of the ire that should be directed at the parents.
Same thing happens with Andrew’s kids.
In this case, Spanish designed clothing bought by the nanny goes against the ‘Kate, hands on mummy so involved she mushes organic vegetables for her kids’ level of involvement.
The line should have been ‘nanny adores her charges so much that she’s taken purchases clothing for them as well as mummy.’
LAK
This all day long.
And this people’s article is so OTT for something that shouldn’t have been given the time. PR or random brown nosing journalist are trying too hard. Worse, people are eating it all up with out question.
Meh to this all.
Apparently I went into the wrong profession. I have a Masters degree in Education and us teachers get paid about $40,000 a year. I should have become a nanny! 100K?
Professional nanny here- I don’t make 100k. Not even close
Education staff is always underpaid if you consider how hard and how much they work and how much responsibility they bear. Same for people who take care of other people: nannies, nurses, …
Additionally and in general the bottom 60% in western societies are underpaid and the top 1% is way overpaid. Those who work hard physically are usually way underpaid, too.
Depends on the location, obviously. I live in the Toronto area. I have placed, myself, nannies for salaries between $70 and $100K. I know because I negotiated the contracts between the parties and was a witness.
They were all (with a few exceptions) educated in the Commonwealth, with university degrees considered desirable (education, languages, psychology), could drive, cook, swim, some spoke a second or third language. They did work long hours and their benefits included 2/3 weeks of paid vacation, a paid vehicle, paid cell, sick days. However, they had to be flexible – available on short notice for extra hours, capable of traveling with the family on vacation, and of course clean record, clean medical etc.
A Norland nanny went for $100K and up. They tend to be hired for newborns and infants by high profile family and essentially they work 24/7 or get a relief nanny on the weekend.
I have had a client hire two full time nannies and a weekend one in one shot. We are talking extremely wealthy people who hire the top nannies, so yes… That is what they pay. I am talking Canadian dollars, which used to be parity until two years ago. Now less, sadly. But way over teachers’ salaries, although – again, in Canada, a teacher with 25 years will make around $65 or a bit more. (My MIL was one so again, I happen to know.)
There are beautiful hand knitted baby sweaters to be had from London, so I don’t think it’s because she can’t find anything British. I agree with everyone else. It’s probably not the nanny’s money, and who cares about this?
GNAT
Not sure. Although it’s funny the justification people mag puts out for no real reason on a nonstory to suck up.
But the press and public knows what Maria looks like so is there really discretion.
Exactly! And if not, every baby shop is now going to be hanging her head shot in their staff room! This story sounds like the do-littles didn’t think it out completely and we’re just trying to get credit for the “hard” task of having sex and pushing out a healthy baby girl.
A good job good press story for “hands on parents”, they are so hands on that they didn’t think about little factors like baby clothes that others who dress their kids daily do. They got caught and now trying to spin this as “the Nanny is just part of the family” and LOVES to spoil our baby with clothes from her county. LOL.
I think she shops in her home town and has arrangements to visit the stores privately. I remember reading that she bought things for Prince George in a shop near where her parents live. I imagine it’s probably a combination of personal acquaintance and they also know her position, and give her the discretion she needs.
I don’t care who buys the clothes for George and Charlotte, but I do think Cashmere for babies and toddlers is a little ridiculous. Although hopefully in this case the kids wear it for the photo and then take it off straight away.
Who cares how they spend the taxpayer’s money? They probably have a drawer full of cashmere for their babies. Money obviously is not a problem for the Cambridge’s.
It’s odd how the media tells us how Kate became increasing pleased with her photo’s of Charlotte, and had a penchant to share a month after taking them – without mentioning the imminent publication of the holiday People Magazine. It seems that they care more about what American’s think, than the Britisher’s. Why are they trying so hard to be admired by us? I know! More Money!
Jason must be pleased with effect that the Amanda P. article has had on social media…
The Amanda P. article came out at the same time that the Cambridge’s decided that “bullying” was to be their new charity! HAHAHAHA!
A side note – welcome to all the new Cambridge fans now posting here!
I was thinking more about the mess and potential ruining of the cashmere, rather than the cost. And while it is a ridiculous way to spend tax payer money, it’s not as ridiculous as ripping out a perfectly beautiful kitchen…
@ all
Which Amanda P. article? She wrote several with backhanded compliments on the Dolittles.
Yes, cashmere for babies and little children is a sign how fu**ed up this society is. As that stuff is both really expensive and difficult to clean (it shrinks) it is not really suitable for active little ones. They grow out of it so quickly. And if they soil it properly and frequently then you can decide if you leave in the stain or if you wash it and risk shrinking (yep, even with the dry cleaners).
Woodstock_schulz – I’m sorry if I came off as flippant in my reply – my point is just that I don’t think the Cambridge’s care about $$$.
Pondering thoughts – This was the article that I was referring to: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3292665/For-pity-s-sake-leave-s-going-grey-eyeliner-s-worrying-new-mum-s-way-growing-army-viciously-cruel-Kate-critics-web-AMANDA-PLATELL-message.html
It’s taking me way too long to get back to comments I’ve made, or I am unable to because of new grandma duties. Apologies, all around.
Regarding cashmere for babies, here’s a snippet of info (scroll down page) on Carole’s taste for baby luxury items. I’m thinking that maybe she bought the pink sweater. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3347512/GIRL-TOWN-Princess-Beatrice-jets-Caribbean-boyfriend-Dave-18th-holiday-year.html
Every time I read “Nanny Maria” I think about The Sound of Music.
I live in London and have a newborn and a toddler, and can attest to the stylish Spanish boutiques for kids clothes. They are just as described, a bit vintage/old-school but with a modern twist. Exactly what you would expect from the BRF.
I’m originally from the US and when I come to visit, all I see in Target and kids’ shops are neon, sequins, tutus, Frozen, etc etc. Generally speaking, Londoners fall somewhere in between. They like more classic colors and styles, but not so prim/prissy that the kids can’t get filthy in a playground.
THIS!! I detest going shopping in our US chain stores and this is a big reason. Very tacky, cheaply designed clothing (and don’t even get me started on the skinny jeans trend for babies and toddlers, I honestly think it’s just a pricing issue, not a fashion “trend”). Walmart is the worst, Target used to be somewhat more sedate but that has changed over the past few years. Inflation eventually seeps into everything…buyers buy what is cost effective and what will still sell, even if those of us with a bit of taste give it a pass. All in all I am so glad I have boys, they couldn’t care less about what they wear! 🙂
Wow, seems like quite a few posters here have (or have had) nannies! I honestly always thought it was something only upper class or wealthy, jet setting types wanted or could afford. Am I wrong on this? It’s intriguing to me, I guess because my sahm-ness has no limit…my life ceased being my own 8.5 years ago! 🙂
Seriously, who cares? She bought one single dress. The person running to People doesn’t even know any of then, she’s just trying to get PR for her shop.
This is normal. Nannies are usually given an allowance to spend on the children. When mine would take us out for ice cream or a book store, they would pay with the allowance, never their own money. My nanny would also dress me and comb my hair and take me down to breakfast, and then see me off to school with my mother.
This is so silly. Why would anyone have “so many questions” about why the nanny buys clothes for the kid? My nanny buys about 80% of my kids’ clothes, because that’s easier. Every single thing these people do isn’t worth analyzing. If the kid was in traditional English girl clothes, this site would be “asking questions” about whether Kate was obsessed with Diana, as with the questions asked about George’s clothes in the past. The baby is in Spanish clothes so now we’re talking about that. Yeesh.
I didn’t realize so many Celebitchy women had nannies. I always assumed they were super expensive and that’s why a lot of European young ladies sign up for it to increase their bank account. Like Tiger Woods’ ex-wife who comes from a family with money but came here to increase her savings before college.
If it’s not too personal what is the rough salary you have to pay your nanny? Thanks.
Generally speaking it will depend on location. I posted a long answer above from a Canadian perspective to someone who was surprised at my comment that a Norland nanny will earn $100K plus a year.
New York, for example, will cost way more than say Detroit or Charleston. And it will also depend on the nanny’s qualifications. If you hire your hairdresser’s recently arrived grandma, who speaks English with an accent and has a ton of experience raising kids but zero professional training, can’t swim or drive (desirable qualities) and so on, you will pay a lot less than what a “proper” nanny with a university degree and professional child care experience can command.
On top of that prominent families pay a big premium for NDAs, to guarantee the nanny won’t gossip at the park, won’t sell her story to the press, etc.
Also, infant/newborn nannies, who usually work around the clock in shifts earn more than a regular day nanny who takes care of a toddler. Finally, is it a live or out nanny? Live in are cheaper, and it is usually the first step for people coming from overseas, through various federal programs, to earn some money either for college purposes (I think on the US the focus is on young, very young girls, like Elin) or for immigration (like the Canadian program which has allowed a lot of Filipino nannies in the country).
In short, a nanny can cost anywhere from $30,000 to over $100,000 in Canada, (for a full time nanny).
Discreet, please. Kate is a first class shopper online and off. The nanny will have a credit card that covers expenses when she’s with the kids and part of a nanny’s duty is to buy clothes. I know a few ex-nannies and its part of the job. Kate probably spends more time buying herself clothes or furniture etc.. for the continuous renovation projects that seem to be always going on. Chuck needs to have a word with them about her spending – but am sure when it become’s Willy’s money she’s spending he’ll clamp down as we all know how tight he it.
That incredibly manic crazy-eyes smile, that’s all I can see.
As a nanny with the bosses credit card- I do buy some of the kids clothing. So it’s really not that big of a deal. It’s kind of part of the job description to handle all things kid related- that translates to their shopping sometimes
Why wear dangly earrings knowing you are going to wear a hard hat with straps and climb with ropes
She seems to get more and more manic with her facial expressions every time I see her.
Wait- u haven’t seen Fergie yet at the DM?
All mothers love to dress their kids. Why shouldn’t Maria dress her children??
You got that right Camdyn. It’s been rumored that the nanny was the surrogate/real mother of George.
LOL
Is it just me…or is anyone else of the opinion that Charlotte, in the photo of her sitting alone in the chair, looks quite a lot like her grandmother Carole??