As Prince George strode across the historic School Yard at Eton College in the rain on 8 September, past the statue of its founder King Henry VI, it was impossible not to feel sympathy for him. Accompanied by his parents the Prince and Princess of Wales he was welcomed by headmaster Simon Henderson and provost Sir Nicholas Coleridge. George arrived half an hour before his fellow F Blockers – first-year pupils in Eton-speak – and fortunately for him other boys from his former co-educational prep school, Lambrook, also started that day.
New boys arrive in their own clothes before changing into School Dress of white tie and tailcoat. For Prince George, looking the very essence of a teenage model, the official photographs were taken by one of the family’s favourite photographers, Matt Porteous, and released later by Kensington Palace. A bit embarrassing perhaps for a 13-year-old without the self-assurance that adulthood brings, but George never faltered. It was far more difficult for his father, who arrived at the school in September 1995 accompanied by his estranged parents and had to face a barrage of 300 members of the international media.
Times have changed, thankfully, but the ‘enemy’ now is the ubiquitous mobile phone camera, a favourite of the tourists who frequent Eton High Street taking pictures of the boys in their distinctive uniforms as they move from class to class. It will be interesting to see if anyone heeds the ‘No Photography’ signs that were put up during the summer.
The arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in the UK in late August – less than two weeks after announcing their return – revived the media frenzy of years gone by. Keen to give their children, Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, a British education, they enrolled them in a private co-ed pre-prep. Such was the speculation about Harry and Meghan’s intentions while in this country, the King was obliged to reiterate their position as non-working royals. A letter from the lord chamberlain, Lord Benyon, on behalf of the monarch was sent to government departments, lord-lieutenants and the military, reiterating the following:
‘It is well known that in January 2020 the Duke and Duchess stepped down from undertaking representative duties on behalf of the sovereign and are no longer working members of the royal family. This position, distinct from the state and royal duties undertaken by the working royal family, and with the personal latitude it brings the couple in respect of financial independence and protection of privacy as they would wish, will continue to be fully respected. It follows that there is no change to the current status of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Their styles as His and Her Royal Highness remain in abeyance and are not used. The charitable work of the Duke and Duchess is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity. In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.’
A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan said the couple ‘were a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance’. Royal sources, however, insisted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had been made aware of the letter before it was made public.
