The Royal Family experienced a mix of emotions as Prince George embarked on his first day at the esteemed Eton College, while at the same time, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, confronted their roles as non-working royals.
The Prince and Princess of Wales beamed with happiness as Prince George began his journey at the historic 600-year-old institution on Tuesday morning, following in the path of his father. The family appeared at ease as they dropped off George, King Charles’s 13-year-old grandson and second in line to the throne.
“Welcome, good luck and enjoy,” remarked headteacher Simon Henderson, as he shook hands with George and guided everyone inside the school where George will be residing.
Later, a photo captured George smiling in his new school uniform, which consisted of a black tailcoat, a waistcoat, and a white collar.
Prince George begins his first day at Eton College in Windsor, Berkshire, in this photo taken Tuesday and provided by Kensington Palace. (Matt Porteous/Kensington Palace)
Eton has educated many of the nation’s elite, including both Prince William and Prince Harry, along with 20 British prime ministers such as Boris Johnson and David Cameron, as well as notable actors like Hugh Laurie, Damian Lewis, and Tom Hiddleston.
According to BBC reports, George’s experience at Eton is expected to somewhat shield him from the media and public scrutiny. Prince William has previously expressed how much he relished being “just another student” at the institution.
The late Diana, Princess of Wales, left, Eton housemaster Dr. Andrew Gailey, Prince Harry, Prince William and Prince Charles are pictured on Prince William’s first day at Eton College on Sept. 6, 1995. (Princess Diana Archive/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Harry and Meghan ‘surprised’ by letter
Conversely, Prince Harry and Meghan experienced what some are describing as a rude awakening upon their return to the U.K. after Charles confirmed on Monday that they will continue to be non-working royals.
The announcement, delivered via a letter from Buckingham Palace to senior British officials, stated that following Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back from royal responsibilities in 2020, they “are no longer working members of the Royal Family.”
The letter further clarified, “In short, their status is comparable to private citizens with commercial and charitable pursuits.”
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The ‘shockwaves’ of Prince Harry and Meghan’s return to the U.K.
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Charles confirms Harry and Meghan to remain non-working royals after their return to U.K.
On Tuesday, the Associated Press reported that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were taken aback by the manner in which Buckingham Palace disseminated the letter. It caught the couple off guard when it was made public on Monday, partly because they had limited time to review or respond to its content, according to a source familiar with the situation who spoke to AP.
They expressed being “a little surprised not to have been informed about this beforehand,” their spokesperson stated on Tuesday, as reported by BBC.
The couple’s representatives received the letter just one hour and 12 minutes prior to its release to the press, leaving them with very little time to react since they were unable to reach Harry, who was in a meeting, until merely two minutes before the letter’s public release, the source added.
The letter reaffirms the palace’s earlier position.
Harry and Meghan distanced themselves from royal duties in 2020 when they relocated to North America to pursue independent endeavors, engaging in ventures such as partnerships with Netflix and Spotify. At that time, Queen Elizabeth clearly stated that the couple could not hold part-time royal roles. Charles upheld that viewpoint after ascending to the throne in 2022.
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are moving back to the United Kingdom with their children, Buckingham Palace has confirmed. The couple will remain non-working royals and live as private citizens.
‘Warning shot’
In a discussion with GB News, royal historian Alexander Larman referred to Charles’ decision as a “brutal put-down.”
“I would characterize it as a right royal knees-up, actually, because Harry’s just returned a couple of weeks ago and we’re observing how things are unfolding for him,” Larman stated.
“This essentially represents the King indicating: ‘You’re back, and on a personal level I’m thrilled that you are here. However, as the head of a firm, I’m making it abundantly clear that you are not reinstated in the Royal Family.’
As CBC’s The Royal Fascinator highlighted over the weekend, Harry and Meghan’s return to the U.K. has created a stir because it appears to contradict their previous statements since departing.
Prince Harry, right, and Meghan stroll along the boardwalk during a visit to Bondi Beach, Australia, on April 17. (Jonathan Brady/The Associated Press)
Royal commentator Phil Dampier informed The Sun that the King’s statement served as a “warning shot” against overshadowing the Royal Family.
“It’s really conveying a message — a warning shot across their bows, you might say. What they’re [the palace] stressing is that nothing has changed in their eyes,” Dampier expressed.
“Now that they’ve returned and may start attending various charity events or engaging in commercial activities, it must be absolutely clear to everyone that they are doing so as private individuals and not as royals.”
On Monday, Meghan shared a photo on her As Ever Instagram account, showing her relaxing on a lawn with the couple’s black lab, Pula. The caption read, “Long weekend plans.”