Princess Charlotte grins as she arrives for her first day at school with Prince William, Kate Middleton... (original) (raw)
PRINCESS Charlotte grinned as she arrived for her first day of school earlier today, clutching mum Kate Middleton's hand.
The four-year-old royal was "very excited" to start at Thomas' in Battersea, South London, as she walked into class with her big brother Prince George and dad Prince William.
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Kate and William shared this cute shot of George and Charlotte before their first day of school todayCredit: PA:Press Association
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The Cambridges arrived at Thomas' this morning for Princess Charlotte's first day of schoolCredit: PA:Press Association
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Charlotte hides behind her mum Kate as she arrives for her first dayCredit: PA:Press Association
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Princess Charlotte will attend school with her big brother Prince George at Thomas' BatterseaCredit: PA:Press Association
Kate, 37, held onto Charlotte's bag - accessorised with a pink sequin unicorn - as they walked into the classroom, while dad William, also 37, held onto George's hand.
And while Princess Charlotte smiled, she appeared to let the nerves get the better of her as she hid behind mum Kate and flicked her ponytail as they walked inside.
She shook hands with lower school headteacher Helen Haslem, who crouched down to meet her at eye level.
Dad William told Ms Haslem that his daughter was "very excited" for her first day.
The Duchess of Cambridge smiled and asked: "How are you? Did you have a nice summer?" as Ms Haslem bent down to shake the children's hands.
Charlotte today started reception, joining Prince George, six, who is beginning his third term at the fee-paying school.
The school usually charges £6,429 a term – or £19,287 a year – but Princess Charlotte will only be charged £6,305 a term, or £18,915 a year, as she gets a sibling discount.
And third-in-line to the throne George is said to be "excited and proud" to show his little sister around the school.
Proud parents William and Kate shared a photo of the close siblings together before their first day to the Kensington Royal Instagram account.
Charlotte, who will be known as Charlotte Cambridge, had been driven to the school in the family's Land Rover Discovery - arriving about 8.15am.
The princess smiled as she arrived in her brand new uniform of a pinafore with a white summer blouse, and black shoes and white socks - ready to join her reception class of 21 other students.
Mum-of-three Kate, who wore a stunning £215 Michael Kors midi dress, appeared excited as she helped with the first-time drop off, having missed out on Prince George’s big day in 2017.
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Princess Charlotte waves as she heads into her first day of receptionCredit: PA:Press Association
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Four-year-old Charlotte looked ready to go for her first day in shiny new shoes and her uniformCredit: PA:Press Association
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The four-year-old shakes the hand of Helen Haslem, Head of Lower SchoolCredit: PA:Press Association
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Charlotte is 'very excited' to start school, her dad saidCredit: PA:Press Association
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Princess Charlotte accessorised her school bag with a sparkly unicornCredit: PA:Press Association
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Kate Middleton stunned in a floral red and pink dress while dad Prince William wore a blue blazer and brown trousers for the drop offCredit: PA:Press Association
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Princess Charlotte will follow in her big brother's footstepsCredit: PA:Press Association
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The four-year-old girl holds her mum's hand as they arrive, while Prince George sticks out his tongueCredit: PA:Press Association
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Princess Charlotte will get a sibling discount at the £19k-a-year school as Prince George already goes thereCredit: PA:Press Association
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Big brother George turns around to check on his little sisterCredit: PA:Press Association
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The royal siblings will attend the school the promotes kindness as importantly as academic achievementCredit: PA:Press Association
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Princess Charlotte will start learning French at her new schoolCredit: PA:Press Association
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Prince William and Kate Middleton are known to be hands on when it comes to the school drop off and pick upCredit: PA:Press Association
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Princess Charlotte twirls her hair as she walks in with her familyCredit: PA:Press Association
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The little royal smiles as she shakes hands with the teacherCredit: PA:Press Association
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The Cambridge family left Prince Louis at home for the first drop offCredit: PA:Press Association
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Princess Charlotte, who celebrated her fourth birthday in May, walked into school while mum Kate held onto her bagCredit: PA:Press Association
At the time, she was pregnant with Prince Louis and suffering from acute morning sickness, known as hyperemesis gravidarum.
Prince William took Prince George to school while Kate stayed at home, with adorable photos showing the dad carrying his son’s book bag.
Both first day school runs for Charlotte and George were relatively quiet events, compared to the huge crowds of photographers who turned up for William's first day as he was dropped off by Princess Diana.
Kate and William are said to be hands-on parents, both regularly spotted doing the school run.
And it will be a big day for Charlotte, who is expected to start learning French once a week at her new school.
Thomas's Battersea, which describes itself as a Christian school but is open to children of all faiths, believes in "praise as the greatest motivator".
It is also taught that kindness is as important as academic success.
Art, ballet, drama, ICT, French, music and physical education are all taught by specialist teachers from a child's first day.
It comes after we revealed adorable photos of Prince Harry and Princess Beatrice for their first day of school.
We recently revealed Prince George will reportedly be showing Princess Charlotte the ropes when she joins him at school.
And the royal siblings reportedly "lean" on each other as play dates with outsiders can be tricky, a royal source has claimed.
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Prince William did the school run solo in 2017Credit: Handout - Getty
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Prince George had appeared shy for his first day of schoolCredit: Getty - Contributor
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The youngster started school in 2017, with his mum unable to attend due to extreme morning sicknessCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
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Official photographs were released of Princess Charlotte's first day of nurseryCredit: AP:Associated Press
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Prince William on his first day of school in Notting Hill, west London, accompanied by his mother DianaCredit: PA:Press Association
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William is hardly recognisable on his first day at school in Wetherby, Notting Hill in 1987Credit: PA:Press Association
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And two years later a young Prince Harry joined his older brother at the same schoolCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
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The two boys were pictured together in their matching uniformsCredit: Getty - Contributor
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Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie were accompanied by their mum the Duchess of York
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Prince Charles as a whipper snapper shaking hands with the headmaster at Gordonstoun School on his first day age 14Credit: Corbis - Getty
Cheeky Princess Charlotte sticks tongue out at photographers in hilarious video at regatta charity event in Cowes
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