Prince George poses alongside proud dad Prince William on Kensington Palace steps before first day at school in official photo
PRINCE George strikes an adorable pose next to proud dad the Duke of Cambridge ahead of his first day at school today.
Standing on the steps of Kensington Palace, four-year-old George flashes a cheeky grin and crosses his legs — while dad William lovingly clasps his hand.
He looked smart in his new uniform for the £17K-a-year Thomas’s Battersea school in Wandsworth, South London.
The deep blue official school jumper sports a a red logo, and it is worn with a sky blue shirt and blue Bermuda shorts along with laceless black shoes.
George, thought to be one of the youngest in his year, had a gentle introduction to what is likely to be a tiring first term at school.
He spent the day getting to know teachers, staff and other children as well as completing the important task of being assigned his classroom peg.
Sadly unable to appear for the cute official snap was pregnant mum Kate.
The Duchess, 35, is suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum — a nausea-inducing illness associated with her pregnancy, which the Royal family announced this week.
A source said: "She would have done anything to be here.
"It’s a big day in her son’s life but she really has been very sick."
Some 560 classmates aged between four and 13 were escorted into the school by 8.35am and the front entrance was cleared for the future King's arrival.
After being lifted from his dad's black Range Rover, George shook hands with his new teacher Helen Haslem — a morning ritual that takes place with every pupil every day.
They then walked hand-in-hand to begin the first day of the Prince's academic career.
Prince William was then seen leaving at 9.30am, and waved at bystanders as he drove off into the South London streets.
Some Royalists were left disappointed that they did not get to meet Wills or little George.
Rita and Tony Cresswell travelled 160 miles to see little George on his first day and were disappointed.
Rita, 71, and her husband, 74, said: "We have come down from Matlock in Derbyshire and we thought it would be nice to see them whilst we were here.
"We had hoped that Kate would be here too, we are disappointed, it would have been nice.
"My granddaughter started preschool yesterday and I was hoping to get a photograph of George to show her that her Prince had started.
"It is just a bit disappointing."
George's new school has been described by the Good Schools Guide as: "A big, busy, slightly chaotic school for cosmopolitan parents who want their children to have the best English education money can buy."
WHAT CAN PRINCE GEORGE EXPECT AT HIS NEWS SCHOOL?
- Ballet is compulsory for boys and girls until the age of seven
- There is a debating club for five-year-olds
- He can take part in philosophy lessons, learn Italian and learn how to write songs
- The school owns a ski chalet in a region of the Austrian Alps which all pupils in years 5 and 6 can visit
- Every day starts and ends with a handshake at Thomas's
- Homework will optional for the prince, but only up until year 4
- A healthy diet is seen as very important, and George will dine on meals such as smoked mackerel on a bed of puy lentils
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