Nervous Prince George Looked Like He Needed a Hug on His First Day of School
It’s hard to believe that the little bundle of joy Prince William and Duchess Catherine proudly cradled on the steps of St. Mary’s Hospital in London four years ago is the same boy that just tottered through the school gates of Thomas’s Battersea in London.
Prince George has just begun his first day of school and his proud father Prince William was right by his son’s side to wave him off.
The four-year-old future King of England looked smart in his brand-new uniform made up of a navy V-neck jumper, a blue shirt, knee-length shorts, shiny black shoes and a backpack.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
Although a little shy and unsure at first, George was given a very warm welcome and soon felt settled. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
George, who appeared a little shy and nervous, was greeted at the gates by his head of the lower school, Helen Haslem, who held onto his hand while proud father Prince William joined them.
The new pupil was taken into reception and shown his classroom.
He might be third in line to the British throne, but the royal will be known simply as George Cambridge to his fellow classmates.
Don’t worry George, we felt the same about our first day of school! (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
The number one rule at his new school is not “no hat, no play”, but rather “be kind.” (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
Sadly, the Duchess of Cambridge, who announced her third pregnancy this week, was too under the weather with severe morning sickness to attend.
Confirming she wouldn’t be in attendance, Kensington Palace explained via Twitter: “Prince George will this morning attend his first day of school at Thomas’s Battersea, accompanied by his father The Duke of Cambridge.”
“The Duchess wanted more than anything to be there. It’s a big day for her son. But she has been really very sick this week,” an insider told The Daily Mail.
But Prince William proved the be the perfect support for his first-born, dropping him off in the family’s Range Rover and walking him right to his classroom.
The prestigious school places large emphasis on the character they wish to build for their pupils. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
A welcoming handshake for the timid Prince.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
George was joined by Prince William and Helen Haslem, who is head of the lower school. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
Prince George will this morning attend his first day of school at Thomas's Battersea, accompanied by his father The Duke of Cambridge. pic.twitter.com/1vKA1JvAyI
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) September 7, 2017
Catherine was forced to cancel two other public engagements on Monday and Tuesday as a result of hyperemesis gravidarum.
Royal watchers were quick to point out just how much George reminded them of his father Prince William some 30 years earlier as Princess Diana escorted him on his first day of school at Wetherby Prep.
Young George, who turned four in July, has been enrolled in one of three reception classes at the co-educational outpost, and he will join a mixed class of boys and girls at the $23,082-per-year school.
Upholding a set of core values — kindness, courtesy, confidence, humility and learning to be givers, not takers — the elite school holds an impressive record of senior school entrance and scholarship successes.
In fact, the Tatler Schools Guide says the “cream of the Battersea crop rises to the likes of Eton and Wycombe Abbey.”
The school, which is just a stone’s throw from their royal residence, currently has 544 day pupils, aged between four and 13.
He’ll be taught a diverse range of theoretical and practical subjects ranging from ballet, drama, music, art, and technology.
Prince William did the school drop off while an unwell Duchess Catherine recuperated at home. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
With language a key part of the curriculum, George will be learning French before he later moves onto Mandarin. In years 4 and 5, he’ll also have the option to learn Spanish.
The prestigious school places a large emphasis on the character they wish to build for their pupils. The number one rule is not “no hat, no play,” but rather “be kind.”
It is for this reason, that students are discouraged from having best friends, so as to not ostracize others.
“We expect pupils at Thomas’s to be kind; to be good friends to those around them, always on the lookout for those in need of a word of encouragement or a listening ear. We expect our pupils not just to tolerate but to celebrate difference, including faith, beliefs, and culture,” reads the school’s core values.
It’s been a huge week for the Cambridges, with Prince William and Duchess Catherine announcing their third pregnancy. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
Like her other two pregnancies, Catherine is suffering from severe morning sickness. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
She’s also revealed she and William plan to partake in the school drop-offs.
In January last year, George started nursery school at Westacre Montessori School near the Cambridge’s country in Sandringham, Anmer Hall.
Since then Prince William, who stepped down from his air ambulance job in July, and Duchess Catherine have relocated to Kensington Palace in London to officially become full-time royals.
This post was written by Bella Brennan. For more, check out our sister site Now to Love.
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