Ruddington had some high profile Royal visitors this week – who managed to keep such a low profile that hardly anyone in the village even knew they’d been here!
Local resident Maureen Wood sadly passed away on the 11th of August 2018, at the age of 80, following a struggle with ill health. Last Tuesday (28th August) Maureen’s Requiem Mass took place at The Catholic Church of The Holy Spirit in West Bridgford followed by her committal service at Wilford Hill Crematorium. However the reception for the mourners was then held at the Ruddington Arms – where staff were sworn to secrecy until after the very special guests among them were gone.
Now RUDDINGTON.info can reveal that the Royal visitors were none other than Caroline, Princess of Hanover and Albert II, Prince of Monaco – daughter and son of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III! They were flanked by around ten security staff as they stayed for a couple of hours at the award-winning Wilford Road venue.
You see, Maureen was once the Royal children’s nanny. Princess Caroline said in Hello Magazine earlier this year: “For my brother and I, Maureen was the key figure in our life. When we were little, we were probably closer to our nanny than to our parents.” Tuesday’s Order of Service contains a picture (right) of a younger Maureen with the children in her care. As adults, Caroline and Albert have apparently been to our area on several occasions over the past twenty years to see Maureen and take her out for meals – but their trips have always been kept secret.
Princess Caroline & Prince Albert’s latest visit – to pay their last respects to their much loved nanny – may well have been our final chance to see the famous Royal siblings here in Ruddington.
