A trusted driver to the Prince and Princess of Wales has been awarded a Royal Victorian Medal (Silver), placing him among a small group of royal household staff personally recognised by the King for loyal service.
Lance Sergeant Scott Robin Bishop, who has served as a driver to the Prince and Princess of Wales, received the honour in recognition of his work supporting the couple during official engagements and private family duties. The award highlights the crucial – and often unseen – role played by military and household staff in the day-to-day functioning of the modern monarchy.
The Royal Victorian Medal sits within the Royal Victorian Order, a distinction that is unique within the British honours system. Unlike most honours, it is awarded entirely at the discretion of the reigning monarch rather than on ministerial advice, making it a direct expression of personal gratitude from the King.
Lance Sergeant Bishop’s recognition comes alongside that of another long-serving member of the Wales household: their full-time nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, who has also been awarded a Royal Victorian Medal (Silver). Together, the honours offer a rare glimpse behind palace walls, shining a light on the individuals who help maintain stability and continuity within the royal family.
Ms Turrion Borrallo has cared for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis since 2014 and is widely regarded as a cornerstone of the family’s private life. Trained at Norland College, she has accompanied the Wales family through major milestones, overseas tours and house moves, all while maintaining a strict level of discretion.
For royal aides, drivers and domestic staff, such honours are particularly meaningful. The Royal Victorian Order was established by Queen Victoria in 1896 to recognise those who had rendered exceptional personal service to the sovereign or the royal family – often over many years and without public acknowledgment.
While senior royals frequently receive headlines for state occasions and tours, the smooth execution of those duties depends heavily on figures like Lance Sergeant Bishop. As a driver, his role would have involved responsibility not only for transport logistics but also for security awareness, confidentiality and calm professionalism under intense public scrutiny.
The decision to recognise both a driver and a nanny underscores King Charles’s continued emphasis on service and loyalty across all levels of the royal household. Rather than focusing solely on senior courtiers, the honours highlight the breadth of individuals whose work underpins royal life.
