Inside Kate Middleton’s Secret Decision to Grant a Rare Royal Title to Someone in Her Inner Circle

The Royal Victorian Medal is a special recognition from the Prince and Princess of Wales to thank Maria for her service to them, their children and, by default, the crown. It differs from the likes of MBEs or knighthoods (which you’ll often see given to celebs and athletes), because this one is decided entirely by the royal family alone.

Maria Teresa Borrallo seen at the wedding of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews at St Mark’s Church on 20 May 2017

Recipients don’t receive a formal title like “Sir” or “Dame,” but do get a name change in another way; they can use the post-nominal letters RVM after their name. Fancy!

Prince William was the one to physically present Maria with the award on March 24; however, unlike others who were honored during the same investiture ceremony, the nanny was deliberately not pictured or videoed during the ceremony—in an effort to maintain her privacy.

Although she has worked for the family for over a decade now, Maria has only been pictured on rare occasions, often in the background at high-profile events such as weddings or Christmas.

Trained at the prestigious Norland College in Bath for nannies, the Spanish childcare expert is said to “love the [royal] children dearly,” according to a source via People. “She can be firm and strict, but she is very loving and soft with them, too,” they added.