Mum wants royal family to meet daughter

A MOTHER has won her battle to have her daughter recognised as a Lady in school.

Nicole Anderson, of Vine Court, Kingsbury, enlisted the help of Barry Gardiner, MP for Brent North, to force Mount Stewart Junior School, in Mount Stewart Avenue, Kenton, to recognise ten-year-old daughter Aiyana-Lee’s official title.

Admissions officers had previously blocked its use saying only Mr, Miss or Mrs could be used, she said.

But after lawyers proved the title, which was inherited through Romanian and German ancestors, was genuine, it was included in school documents.

Nicole now wants the British Royal family to acknowledge her daughter’s heritage by extending an invitation to meet her who she says, like them, is the old nobility of Europe.

Nicole said: “I would like the door to be open to see the royal family. Aiyana-Lee needs to know things that I can’t teach her; like mannerisms and addresses.”

Despite her heritage, Nicole opted for state school so Aiyana-Lee would not become a ‘snob’, but ‘it’s not easy’ she said.

“People associate the title with money but it’s often not like that, people should understand we are still normal, but I don’t want Aiyana-Lee to become ashamed of her title either.

“Last year she sat down with Prince Paul of Romania, I try to keep a balance.”

In Romania, Aiyana-Lee is a celebrity, having notched up a gold and two platinum albums, and the daughter of a child prodigy herself; Nicole was a famous flautist during the communist era before fleeing to the UK in 1989.

She also has a large following in Germany, Italy and the US.

This double life puts a strain on Aiyana-Lee’s relationships at school.

She said: “The kids at school tease me because I’m a Lady and I’m famous, I don’t have many friends. Most of my friends are grown up.”

But Nicole feels the English school system is not set-up to support talented children rather concentrating on those who are struggling with their education.

Aiyana-Lee agreed.

She said: “They think just because you are a kid you need to grow up to be famous and to follow your dreams.

“Why don’t kids have the right to follow their dreams in England? Just because we are kids it doesn’t mean we are stupid.”

Linda Redfern, head-teacher at Mount Stewart Junior School, said while Aiyana-Lee seems to get on better with adults ‘schools try very hard to ensure children reach their potential’.