The Cambridge children are all starting at a brand new school as their family moves to Windsor, but they will not be using their royal titles in class.
Like millions of children all over the world, royal kids are returning to school after a cool summer holiday. As the Cambridge family has just moved to their new property - Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, where they will be near to Her Majesty, their three children will be attending a new school in Berkshire.
Where are the Cambridge children studying?
Kensington Palace issued a statement to announce the occasion:
'Ahead of their first day at Lambrook School, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, accompanied by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, today attended a settling in afternoon for new pupils at the school. The settling in afternoon is an annual event held to welcome new starters and their families to Lambrook and takes place the day before the start of the new school term.'
The official first day of school would be Thursday, but Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, and Prince George all joined their parents to attend the preview day for newcomers on Wednesday. The family of five looked happy and relaxed as they strolled hand in hand to be welcomed by Lambrook School's headmaster Jonathan Perry.
Sporting a polka dot dress, Kate Middleton held hands with nine-year-old George and four-year-old Louis, who all wore matching navy shorts with patterned shirts. Meanwhile, William walked along with his baby Princess, who looked adorable in a uniform dress.
The occasion is special as it marks the first time George, Charlotte, and Louis attended the same school, which boasts a 25-meter swimming pool and a nine-hole golf course. Previously, George and Charlotte studied at Thomas's Battersea, while Louis went to Willcocks Nursery School.
While Prince George will be entering year five, Charlotte will be enrolled in year three and baby Louis will be a pupil in the school’s Pre Prep.
The Cambridges will be using different names
Despite their popularity, teachers and friends at school won't call the kids by their royal titles.
According to Hello, the two royal kids will be called George Cambridge and Charlotte Cambridge while at school. This surname is derived from their parents’ Duke and Duchess of Cambridge titles. When their younger brother, Prince Louis, goes to school in September, he will also be known under the same name. This change reflects the Cambridge's desire for their children to have an upbringing as 'normal' as possible, reports PEOPLE.
This is similar to how their father and uncle were known when they attended school - with their titles taken off their formal school names to help them fit in and draw less attention to them. The young royals at school were simply known as William and Harry Wales, after their father Charles, The Prince of Wales. If they appear in public, they are normally known as His or Her Royal Highness and their first name.
The name of the house that they are living in can also be their name, for example, Windsor. This is not necessarily the same as their surname, such as Mountbatten-Windsor.
In 1960, the Queen announced in front of the Privy Council that the name Mountbatten-Windsor shall be what people call the monarch’s male descendants, who do not have their royal styles and titles.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex chose not to grant their first child, Archie, who was born in May 2019, a title. Therefore, he now goes by the last name Mountbatten-Windsor. Lilibet Diana, who was born in June 2021, will also fit this description.
William's thoughts on his children's education
Prince William talked openly about his feelings towards his children coming back to school after staying at home for quite a long time in the national lockdown. He shared this when he was in a gathering with crisis responders in Northern Ireland.
According to a policewoman who had a chance to talk to Prince William, he reckoned that many other parents were also experiencing the same emotions and thoughts as himself.
The Prince confessed:
‘I think every parent is breathing a sigh of relief that school has started again.’
He added: ‘Five months – it's been wonderful, but it's been a long five months.’
Read more:
⋙ Surnames of Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis set to change
⋙ How Princess Diana started Prince George's birthday tradition that William 'struggles with'
