On a day filled with contrasting events for the Royal Family, Prince George embarked on his first day at the prestigious Eton College, following in his father’s footsteps, while Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, faced their non-working royal status.
Prince George, accompanied by the Prince and Princess of Wales, exuded joy as he arrived at the 600-year-old school on Tuesday morning. Headteacher Simon Henderson warmly greeted George, offering words of encouragement as the young royal prepared to start boarding at the historic institution. Pictures of George in his new school uniform, featuring a black tailcoat, waistcoat, and white collar, captured the momentous occasion.
Eton College, known for educating the country’s elite, counts Prince William and Prince Harry among its alumni. The school has also shaped the careers of 20 British prime ministers and notable figures in the arts, including actors Hugh Laurie, Damian Lewis, and Tom Hiddleston. George’s time at Eton is expected to provide him with a degree of privacy away from the public eye, a sentiment echoed by Prince William who cherished his time as a regular student at the institution.
In contrast, Prince Harry and Meghan received a jolting revelation upon their return to the UK as Charles confirmed their status as non-working royals. A letter from Buckingham Palace informed senior British officials that since stepping back from official royal duties in 2020, Harry and Meghan no longer hold working roles within the Royal Family. The couple’s representative expressed surprise at the abrupt announcement, highlighting the lack of prior communication and the rushed publication of the letter to the media.
The letter reiterated the palace’s stance that Harry and Meghan’s decision to pursue independent ventures, such as partnerships with Netflix and Spotify, precludes them from resuming royal duties. Queen Elizabeth had previously emphasized that they could not be part-time royals, a position reaffirmed by King Charles following his ascension to the throne in 2022.
Regarding the recent developments, royal historian Alexander Larman characterized Charles’ actions as a firm message to Harry, indicating that while the King is pleased with his return on a personal level, Harry is not reinstated within the official royal fold. The couple’s unexpected return to the UK stirred controversy, with experts interpreting the palace’s statement as a preemptive measure to prevent Harry and Meghan from overshadowing the Royal Family during their public appearances or commercial endeavors.
In response to the situation, Meghan shared a relaxed moment with the couple’s black lab, Pula, on her As Ever Instagram account, signaling a serene start to their return to the UK.