Prince William has enlisted the help of his childhood nanny to help the Duchess with care of Prince George
Prince William is said to have persuaded his childhood nanny, Jessie Webb, to return to the royal household to help Kate Middleton with the care of Prince George.
Former carer to Princes William and Harry, the now retired 71-year-old 'no nonsense' nanny has been enlisted by Wills to look after his newborn son, despite the couple's earlier insistence that they would buck the royal nanny tradition to be 'hands on parents'.
A source told the Sunday People: 'They both [Kate and William] accept the view that they won’t be able to do it all. There is also a feeling that Kate might lay herself open to criticism if she is seen letting her mother have too much influence.'
Kate Middleton is currently staying with her mother Carole in Buckleberry, Berkshire while William works but when the new family are reunited at Kensington Palace, formal care is expected to resume as it did for Princess Diana's children.
Jessie, who has no children or a husband of her own, was recruited by the royal household to look after the young princes when William was 7 and the family were sadly experiencing the beginnings of Charles and Diana's separation.
'William has fond memories of Jessie,' The source continued. 'And they’ve put the idea to her that she comes back. I think she’s very flattered.'
During the five years that Jessie spent with the family, the nanny was said to be well-loved by William - she used to play with the mock-polo with boys in their playroom and chase them around the house, distracting them from their mother's heartache.
An insider said, 'Jessie would stand for no nonsense and would want to do things her way. You had to be tough because being nanny at that time could be a very stressful job. Charles and Diana’s marriage was breaking down. But she tried her best to keep the boys away from the tears and the rows.'
While Prince Charles and the boys were very fond of Jessie, while Princess Diana ended up letting the Jessie go as it was felt that Diana was getting jealous of their relationship.
Since his childhood, Prince William has kept contact and Jessie was even a guest at his 21st birthday party and the royal wedding.
What's good enough for Wills, is good enough for Prince George - at least we know he'll be in capable hands with Nanny Jessie.
WATCH: Prince William visits Kate Middleton in hospital
PRINCE GEORGE'S BIRTH MADE OFFICIAL ON WESTMINSTER REGISTER
KATE MIDDLETON AND PRINCE GEORGE TO BE GUARDED BY ARMED OFFICERS
PRINCE WILLIAM AND KATE MIDDLETON MOMENTS
Got a tablet? You can now download marie claire magazine straight to your iPad, Kindle (just search the store for marie claire magazine'), Nook or Google Nexus.
