min read · September 7, 2025 · Entertainment

Tiggy: The Royal 'Big Sister' Who Stood by William and Harry After Diana's Death

The Royal Nanny: Tiggy's Turbulent Tales of Loyalty and Betrayal

In a shocking revelation, Alexandra "Tiggy" Legge-Bourke, the former nanny to Princes William and Harry, has spoken out about her tumultuous relationship with the royal family. As one of the most trusted members of staff during their formative years, Tiggy's journey is a juicy tale of loyalty, betrayal, and scandal.

At the heart of it all was Diana, Princess of Wales, who had grown increasingly wary of Tiggy's influence on her sons. The nanny, known for her no-nonsense approach, would often take the princes on hunting trips, teaching them to ride and hunt alongside the best of British aristocracy. It was a far cry from the more traditional parenting style of Charles and Diana.

Tiggy's relationship with the royal family began long before she became an official nanny. Her father had served in the Royal Horse Guards, while her mother, Shan, became a lady-in-waiting to Princess Anne in 1987. Tiggy's brother, Harry Legge-Bourke, even served as Page of Honour to Queen Elizabeth II from 1985 to 1987. It was only natural, then, that she would be hired by Prince Charles as an assistant and nanny to his sons in 1993.

The tragedy of Diana's death in August 1997 brought Tiggy and the princes even closer together. As royal bibliographer Tina Brown notes in Palace Papers: "On the Monday after the funeral, hoping to distract the boys, Tiggy Legge-Bourke, their kindly big sister caregiver appointed by Charles after his separation from Diana, took them to follow the Beaufort Hunt on foot."

This was no ordinary outing – it was a carefully calculated attempt to help the young princes process their grief. The Beaufort Hunt is one of the largest and oldest in the country, with Captain Ian Farquhar, a close friend of Charles, at its helm. As Brown recounts: "It's good to see you, sirs," he said to the shattered young princes. '"I just want you to know that we are all very, very sorry about your mother. You have our deepest sympathy and we were all incredibly proud of you on Saturday. That's all I am going to say, and now we are going to get on with the day.'"

Tiggy's influence extended far beyond these hunting trips, however. She became a confidante to both princes, particularly Harry, who found his mother's death harder to come to terms with. In his autobiography Spare, Harry writes about Tiggy: "Our favorite nanny, to be accurate, though Tiggy couldn't stand being called that." He goes on to describe her as one of the few people who chastised him for his tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey.

But not everyone was enamored with Tiggy's presence in the royal household. Diana reportedly grew increasingly suspicious of her son's nanny, disliking her habit of smoking around them and feeling that she spent too much time with Charles and their sons. In February 1996, Diana wrote to Charles, warning him against allowing Tiggy to spend "unnecessary time" in the children's rooms.

The tension between Tiggy and Diana came to a head when William, then 13, asked her to attend Eton's traditional Fourth of June celebrations instead of his parents. It was a clear indication that Tiggy had become more than just a nanny – she was a constant companion to the princes.

In 1999, Tiggy retired from her position as royal nanny after marrying her childhood sweetheart and security consultant Charles Pettifer. The event was attended by both Princes William and Harry, while neither Charles nor Camilla was present.

But the most shocking revelation of all came when it emerged that the BBC had been paying damages to Tiggy over false claims made about her in connection with the notorious 1995 Princess Diana interview. It transpired that disgraced journalist Martin Bashir had tricked Diana into believing that Tiggy had become pregnant by Charles, showing her a faked abortion "receipt" to support his claims.

The BBC's apology and payout were only recently formalized, with Tiggy reportedly receiving substantial damages for the "fabricated" allegations. As she reflects on her time as royal nanny, it is clear that Tiggy's bond with the princes remains unbreakable.

In a bizarre twist, even after retiring from her position, Tiggy continued to be a constant presence in their lives. She attended Prince Harry's commissioning as a Second Lieutenant at Sandhurst in April 2006 and his wedding to Meghan Markle in May 2018. And, in a poignant nod to her enduring relationship with the royal family, she was even chosen as the godmother to Archie, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's eldest child.

Tiggy's story is a juicy tale of loyalty, betrayal, and scandal – one that reveals the complexities and nuances of life within the royal household. As we continue to follow the saga of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, it is clear that Tiggy remains an integral part of their lives – a testament to the enduring power of friendship and loyalty.

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