Prince George beams as he arrives at Eton for first day with William and Catherine

Prince George has officially begun a major new chapter in his education, arriving at Eton College alongside his proud parents, Prince William and Princess Catherine.

The 13-year-old was photographed entering the prestigious Berkshire school shortly after 11am on Tuesday, September 8, with the family braving wet and windy conditions as they made their way through the historic School Yard.

For his first appearance at Eton, George had not yet changed into the school’s formal morning dress and pinstriped trousers. Instead, he arrived in his own clothes — although for the second in line to the throne, that meant a smart suit and tie.

A special welcome at the historic school

William, Catherine and George entered through the arch beneath Lupton’s Tower, the 16th-century gatehouse clock tower, before crossing the cobbled quadrangle beside the school chapel.

Catherine, dressed in a dark green outfit, sheltered from the rain beneath a large black umbrella. William initially carried an umbrella too, but put it down once the family reached the quadrangle, leaving father and son to walk through the rain.

Waiting to greet them were Eton headmaster Simon Henderson and Sir Nicholas Coleridge, the school’s Provost and chair of its governing body.

“Welcome,” Henderson told George. “Good luck. Enjoy it.”

After shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries, the family made their way into the fourth form passage in Eton’s original school building. The area is understood to contain what is described as the world’s oldest classroom.

Prince George has arrived at Eton for his first day (Image: Getty)

Prince George was greeted by the school’s headmaster and the school’s Provost (Image: Getty)

George’s first steps into boarding school life

Once inside, George is expected to sign Eton’s school entrance book, which officially records the enrolment of each pupil.

As the family moved indoors and escaped the rain, Catherine was seen placing a protective hand on her son’s back before the door closed behind them.

The brief photocall was designed to mark the significance of the occasion, but William and Catherine are keen for the rest of George’s education to take place away from the public spotlight.

Prince George arrived in a suit and will later change into his new school uniform (Image: Getty)

Princess Catherine sheltered from the rain under a large umbrella (Image: Getty)

Re-create Princess Catherine’s look on the high street

Prince George is attending Eton College in Windsor (Image: Maureen McLean/Shutterstock)

Notices have been placed around Windsor asking members of the public not to photograph pupils as they move between lessons across Eton’s extensive campus.

Other first-year pupils, known at Eton as “F Block” rather than Year 9, were due to arrive later on Tuesday, while pupils in other years return when the new term begins on Wednesday.

Leaving home for full-time boarding

George’s move to Eton marks an important change for the young royal, as he will now board at the school full time.

He will still be able to return home at weekends and during school holidays, with the family home only a short drive from the school.

Although George previously experienced part-time boarding at Lambrook School, Eton will be his first experience of living away from home for longer periods.

Former Buckingham Palace press secretary Dickie Arbiter highlighted the emotional significance of the transition, saying: “George is flying the nest, going to Eton. So there’ll be one less offspring at home. And that’s a tremendous wrench for any family where the child goes off to boarding school.”

As part of settling into Eton life, George will also discover which of the school’s 25 boarding houses will become his new home.

Each house accommodates around 50 boys, with pupils drawn from different year groups. Eton describes its boarding houses as caring communities where kindness and empathy are central to the environment.

A private room and a family connection to Eton

William and Catherine will help George settle into his new surroundings, where he will have his own single room equipped with a bed, desk and shelves.

Every pupil is given a private single room, regardless of their background or status, with the size and grandeur of the accommodation increasing as pupils progress through the school.

George’s arrival also continues a family connection with Eton.

Prince William enrolled at the school in September 1995, with his parents and younger brother accompanying him for the milestone occasion.

Prince Harry followed three years later. On that occasion, he was accompanied by his father, then Prince Charles, after Diana, Princess of Wales, had died the previous year.

Unlike William’s entrance-book signing, however, George’s own signing will take place away from the cameras.

Why Eton was chosen for George

One of the key considerations behind George’s move to Eton is its location.

The school sits across the River Thames from Windsor Castle and is only around a 10-minute drive from Forest Lodge, the Wales family’s “forever home” on the Windsor Estate.

That proximity means George can experience full-time boarding while remaining close to his family.

For the Prince and Princess of Wales, Tuesday therefore marked more than simply the start of another school term. It was the moment their eldest son took his first significant step towards greater independence — while his parents stood beside him for one of the most important milestones of his young life.