Amid the royal drama — from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s return to Britain, to King Charles’ clarification of their status, and the return of former duchess Sarah Ferguson, whose name has been linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — there are also a few lighter moments.
On Tuesday, Prince George, second in line to the throne, began his studies at Eton College, the prestigious school also attended by his father, heir to the throne Prince William, and his uncle Prince Harry.
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Prince George accompanied to his first day at Eton by his royal parents
(Photo: Adrian Dennis - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
(Photo: Adrian Dennis - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
George, 13, entered the school accompanied by both his parents, Prince William and Princess Kate. The three met Simon Henderson, headmaster of Eton College, and Sir Nicholas Coleridge, the institution’s provost and chairman of the school’s governing body.
“Welcome, George. Good luck, enjoy yourself,” Henderson told him.
After the welcome, the three continued to a classroom corridor in the school’s original building, which is believed to contain the oldest classroom in the world.
Like other families, William and Kate will help George settle into his new bedroom. Students from other age groups returned to Eton on Wednesday when the school year began.
Prince George's first day of school photo
(Photo: Instagram)
Prince William at Eaton in 1995
(Photo: Ken Goff/Getty Images)
Eton College, located in the English county of Berkshire, a short distance from Windsor Castle, educates boys ages 13 to 18 and admits about 270 students each academic year. Students live on campus in 25 boarding houses, each housing about 55 students. Tuition costs more than 65,000 pounds a year.
As they do every year, the Prince and Princess of Wales accompany their children to their schools, but their overriding goal is to ensure that their education proceeds away from public scrutiny. Signs have therefore been posted around Windsor warning the public not to photograph students as they move across campus between classes.