Prince George's first day at Thomas’s Battersea London Day School drew wide media coverage and public attention as expected. As the world eagerly watched, a rather nervous looking young prince walked with his father, Prince William, toward the school building’s rear entrance where they were welcomed by his new teacher, Helen Haslem.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries and handshakes, all three went inside the school.
Kate Middleton, who is suffering from extreme morning sickness due to her pregnancy, was not able to join her husband dropped George at Thomas’s Battersea, which is a 30-minute drive from their residence, Kensington Palace.
The Duke and Duchess are very pleased to share a photograph of The Duke and Prince George at Kensington Palace this morning. pic.twitter.com/MxcU0RqGvi
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) September 7, 2017
It went well
Hours after dropping his four-year-old son off at school, Prince William said the whole experience went well. The prince, who was attending a Kensington Palace reception for the England Under-20 football team, told head coach Paul Simpson that it had been a good day.
Prince William then joked that he was quite pleased he wasn’t the one parent who had more of an issue with their children.
Poor old thing
Prince Charles, who was attending an event in Scotland, also shared his thoughts when he was asked about his grandson’s first day at Thomas’s Battersea in London.
Prince George’s grandfather simply said “poor old thing.”
Prince Charles may be referring to the intense media and public attention George has to endure during this momentous day of his young life.
The future monarch said Prince George has been left there to get on with it and the problem starts when the parents go away. However, he supposed that it is good for the child at the end because it builds character.
Asked if he has given his grandson any advice, Prince Charles said he did not because George would not take an advice from him. The Prince of Wales said though that he would be interested to hear how the young prince got on in his new school.
George’s royal cousin
AS it turned out, Prince George was not the only royal student attending that day as his distant cousin, Maud Windsor, is also a student of Thomas’s Battersea.
She arrived accompanied by her father Lord Frederick Windsor.
Maud Windsor, daughter of Lord Frederick Windsor, had her first day of school at Thomas' too. Distant cousin to George (pic Town&Country) pic.twitter.com/63ck3pC0E3
— Victoria Howard (@TheRoyalExpert) September 7, 2017
Lord Frederick is the only son of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. Prince Michael is the paternal cousin of Queen Elizabeth II and 45th in line to the British Throne.
It is not known, however, if Prince George and Maud Windsor, who were born only weeks apart, belong to the same class.
Thomas’s Battersea London Day School is said to have three reception rooms, each with 21 pupils.