The Princess of Wales will 'rely' on her trusted nanny as she recovers from abdominal surgery - with Maria Borrallo's help being 'invaluable' at this difficult time, a royal expert has said. 

Kate, 42, is a 'hands on mother' but will need to 'rest as much as she can' - and Maria's contribution will be important so William has the capacity to resume royal duties, Richard Fitzwilliams added. 

Kate left The London Clinic after 14 days and is now back home surrounded by her husband and three doting children.  

Prince William will take on additional parenting responsibilities and has cleared his diary of official duties as she recovers, supporting his wife and only returning to public engagements once she is settled.

The family are also being supported by their staff, including loyal, long-standing nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, whose role could be crucial in the coming weeks. 

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline: 'Kate has obviously had significant surgery. As a hands on mother when possible, she will need to rest as much as she can. 

'This means she will rely on Maria a great deal in the coming weeks and maybe months. 

'There is going to be very considerable speculation as to when William is able to resume royal duties. Obviously, especially given the temporary incapacity of King Charles, the sooner the better. This makes Maria's contribution at this difficult time all the more invaluable.'

Nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo (in her Norland Nanny Uniform) talking to the late Queen at Princess Charlotte's Christening in July 2015

Kate, 42, left The London Clinic after 14 days, and is now back home , surrounded by her husband and three doting children (file picture)

Prince William leaving the London Clinic after visiting Kate in hospital on 18 January 2024

The family are being supported by their staff, including loyal, long-standing nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo (pictured in May for the Coronation of King Charles III)

Mr Fitzwilliams said that Kate has embarked on what everyone hopes will be a full recovery, but added that there will be a long 'convalescence'.

'William will be with her and forgoing royal duties for as long as he feels it is necessary. He has always put his family first,' he said. 

'Kate has been as hands on a mother as her role permits, but she has said that having a nanny is indispensable. 

'Maria Teresa is, according to reports, extremely popular with the children but her training at Norland has meant she is ideal for whatever this role requires.

'She is of course a background figure, who is seen at some important royal occasions and who is indispensable at a time like this. 

'Her training at the prestigious Norland College in Bath where she learnt a huge variety of skills and to work long hours if needed, will be particularly useful during the pivotal weeks of Catherine's recovery.

'The coming weeks may be difficult and will be a test of this redoubtable figure, who is so trusted by the future King and Queen.'

Kate and William with nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo and the late Queen outside the church following Princess Charlotte's Christening

Prince George of Cambridge is held by his nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo as he waves from the window of Buckingham Palace as he watches the Trooping The Colour on June 13, 2015 in London

Maria has been a loyal nanny to Kate and William for almost a decade now 

Read more: The secrets of a Norland Nanny: Author reveals how royal children are set a strict 'routine'

Parenting expert Jo Frost told Hello! that Maria is a staple for the Wales family. 

'The blessing of her nurturing ways and wonderful service to the family leave the children in good steady hands, affording William the flexibility to be present as a father, attend to his royal duties where he can at home and be the emotional support he will want to be for his wife.' 

The Spanish 'supernanny' was hired by Kate and William in 2014 to help them look after Prince George when he was eight months old. She now cares for Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis too.

She lived with the family at Kensington Palace but when they moved into Adelaide Cottage in Windsor's Home Park she stopped being a live-in nanny, though she has continued to care from the children while living at another property. 

At the time she was hired, Kensington Palace released a statement saying: 'Maria is a full-time nanny, who started work with us recently, and will be accompanying the Duke and Duchess and Prince George to New Zealand and Australia.

He added: 'We will not be giving further details on Maria or her employment, except to say that the Duke and Duchess are of course delighted she has chosen to join them.'

Former Private Secretary to the Duchess of Cambridge Rebecca Deacon and Nanny Maria Borrallo arriving at Sydney Airport on April 16, 2014 

Maria Borrallo was born in Madrid but grew up in Palencia in northern Spain.

She is a graduate of the prestigious nanny school Norland College and is said to have been nicknamed Santa – Spanish for saint – by those closest to her when she was a youngster.

The institution's students are known for their distinctive uniforms and are schooled in all aspects of looking after youngsters during their three-year degree course.

The training costs £36,000 in total and the college in Bath added martial arts training and stunt driving to its curriculum to cater for modern clients - many of whom are celebrities and the super-rich.

Tae Kwon-Do is believed to be the martial art of choice - which has been specially adapted to include how to dodge a potential kidnapped with a pram.

Nannies are also trained in how to deal with paparazzi and are taken to Castle Combe Racing Circuit in Wiltshire to perfect their driving skills and learn how to drive at high speed in any weather condition.

Prince George being held up at a window of Buckingham Palace by his nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo to watch Trooping the Colour on June 13, 2015

Friends in Maria's hometown have previously claimed she would have become a nun had she not ended up pursuing her passion for looking after children.

Her austere lifestyle made her the perfect candidate to become a servant of God, they said.

Ms Borrallo's brother Luis did follow a religious pathway, having been ordained a deacon in 2011.

Born in Madrid, but having grown up in Palencia, she is the second of eldest of four children, born to an engineer father Luis, who died of cancer, and her teacher mother, Maria Teresa.

She attended church regularly with the rest of her family as she was growing up.

Ms Borrallo left Spain for the UK more than 20 years ago after graduating with a degree in teaching. However she returns to Palencia to see her family whenever she gets a chance.

One of her brothers, Ignacio, teaches private students in the area viola and violin.

He boasts on an online CV he is one of the most sought-out violin and viola teachers in Spain's Castile and Leon region, with more than 20 years of experience at conservatories and music schools in his home country and Canada.

Her youngest brother Pablo, a teacher, is living and working in the south of France.