Royal Family Returns to Duty: A New School Year Begins for the Wales Children

As summer wraps up, Prince William and Princess Catherine are gearing up for a whirlwind of royal duties and public engagements.

The couple's three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—marked a significant milestone as they stepped into their new school, Lambrook School, on Wednesday.

Accompanied by their parents, the young royals participated in a settling-in afternoon at the prestigious institution located near Windsor, as confirmed by Kensington Palace.

On Thursday, the excitement continued as the children embarked on their first full day at school.

Royal mother Catherine shared her thoughts in Windsor, expressing enthusiasm for this new chapter in their lives.

The family arrived together, where they were warmly welcomed by the headmaster, Jonathan Perry, who greeted them with open arms.

“Welcome to Lambrook!”

he exclaimed, shaking hands with each family member.

“It's lovely to have you with us.

We're very excited for the year ahead.”

William, ever the supportive father, responded positively, saying, “We're looking forward to it,” while revealing that the kids had plenty of questions about their new environment.

However, it's not just the excitement of a new school year that's on the horizon; there's also a significant financial change looming for parents at Lambrook.

Reports indicate that school fees are set to rise by 20 percent due to new VAT regulations coming into effect at the end of the academic year.

This increase means that the annual fees for Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis will soon escalate to a staggering £79,387.2.

Notably, this term will be the last when fees remain fixed at their current rate, as they are expected to soar to around £80,000 starting January 1st.

For Prince Louis, who recently turned six and is in reception year, the termly fee of £6,000 will see an additional £1,000 charge due to the VAT hike, pushing the total yearly cost from £16,000 to £20,000.

Princess Charlotte, attending the lower school, faces a fee increase from £24,000 to £29,000 annually, as her termly charge of £8,000 will also be affected.

Meanwhile, 11-year-old Prince George is in the upper school bracket, where the fee of £9,000 per term will raise his annual costs from £26,000 to £31,000.

The government is also tightening regulations to prevent parents from dodging the tax by prepaying fees, making it clear that the new tax will apply to all payments made from July 29, 2024, onward.

Catherine, who is deeply committed to mental health initiatives, previously shared insights about her youngest son's classroom activities.

She mentioned that Prince Louis's classmates received a “feelings wheel” designed to help them articulate their emotions.

“It was really good,” she noted, highlighting the importance of fostering emotional intelligence among young children.

This approach reflects a broader commitment within the school to encourage meaningful conversations about feelings.

As they navigate their roles as parents and public figures, the Wales family exemplifies a commendable balance between personal life and royal responsibilities.

The upcoming months promise to be captivating as the world observes their dedication to both family and service, preserving the values that underpin the British monarchy.

With their summer vacation officially behind them, marked by their departure from Balmoral, the family returns to Windsor with renewed focus and energy.

Their time spent at Balmoral has been invaluable, serving as a period of rest and togetherness, especially significant given Catherine's ongoing health challenges.

Throughout their stay, the tranquil surroundings of Balmoral provided the perfect backdrop for relaxation and family bonding, essential for maintaining morale during Catherine's treatment.

As they step back into their royal duties, the Wales family carries with them the strength and unity forged during their time away, leaving many eager to see what the future holds for this beloved royal family.