THE ROYALS HAVE BEEN POSING FOR FIRST-DAY-OF-SCHOOL PHOTOS FOR GENERATIONS — BUT ONE OLD IMAGE OF DIANA, WILLIAM AND HARRY HITS VERY DIFFERENTLY NOW 🎒💔 From Prince George’s shy arrival at Thomas’s Battersea to Charlotte clutching a parent’s hand and Louis joining his siblings at Lambrook, royal school mornings have produced some remarkably ordinary family moments. But buried among decades of photographs is an image that carries far more weight today. Princess Diana stands proudly with William and Harry as her younger son begins a new chapter at Wetherby — one of those seemingly simple family snapshots that became infinitely more poignant after her death collection also reaches back to King Charles at Gordonstoun and William’s own first days, showing just how often the same milestone has repeated across generations. And one photograph in particular feels almost impossible to look at the same way now. 👇 See the royal first-day photos — including the Diana moment that takes on a heartbreaking meaning today — in the link below.

royals first days school

It’s back to school time!

Like many proud parents, members of the British royal family make sure to document their children’s first day of school. While it’s not an annual tradition for the royals to share back-to-school photos with the public, major milestones — like the first day at a new school — are often marked with a public portrait or photo call.

From royal heirs like King Charles, Prince William and Prince George to extended members of the family, see the best back-to-school photos featuring the British royals through the years.

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Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis (C), accompanied by their parents the Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, arrive for a settling in afternoon at Lambrook School, near Ascot on September 7, 2022 in Bracknell, England.
Prince George, Kate Middleton, Prince Louis, Prince William and Princess Charlotte at Lambrook School on Sept. 7, 2022.Jonathan Brady – Pool/Getty

Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte started at Lambrook School in 2022, after their family relocated their home base from London to Windsor. Kate Middleton and Prince William were on hand for their first day, marking the first time that all three siblings were attending the same school.

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Princess Charlotte

Princess Charlotte
Press Association via AP Images

Princess Charlotte stepped out in her new uniform for her first day at Thomas’s Battersea in London back in 2019.

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Prince George

Prince George
Press Association via AP Images

Prince George looked adorable as he shyly greeted the head of Thomas’s Battersea’s lower school on his own first day in Sept. 2017, accompanied by dad Prince William.

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Prince Harry and Prince William

Diana, William And Harry School
Tim Graham/Getty Images

Princess Diana looked on at her sons proudly as Prince William stood by Prince Harry on the younger brother’s first day at Wetherby School.

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Prince William

royals first days school
Anwar Hussein/Getty

Prince William was all smiles for the start of his education at London’s Wetherby School in 1987.

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Princess Beatrice

royals first days school

Princess Beatrice held onto her mother’s hand as she headed to her own first day at Upton House.

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Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice

Fergie/Eugenie first day at school
Tim Ockenden/PA Images/Getty

Princess Eugenie had an experienced older sibling to help her out at a new school. Here she is with mom Sarah Ferguson on her first day at Upton House school in Windsor.

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King Charles

royals first days school

The future King Charles shook hands with headmaster Robert Chew on his first day at Gordonstoun School in 1962.

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Prince Edward

royals first days school

Prince Edward’s nanny escorted him to his first day at London’s Gibbs School in 1968.

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Prince William

royals first days school

Prince William arrived in style with both of his parents to start Mrs. Mynor’s Nursery School, sporting a striped sweater and red shoes.

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Prince Harry and Prince William

royals first days school

Prince Harry confidently waved to the cameras as he joined his brother at Mrs. Mynor’s Nursery School in 1987.

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Prince William

British Royal Diana, Princess of Wales (1961-1997), wearing a blue jacket over a black dress, with Eton housemaster Dr Andrew Gailey, Prince Harry, Prince William, and Prince Charles outside Manor House on Prince William's first day at Eton College in Eton, Berkshire, England
Prince William’s first day at Eton College in September 1996.Princess Diana Archive/Hulton Archive/Getty

Prince William started at Eton College in September 1995. He was joined by his family members — including younger brother Prince Harry and their parents, Princess Diana and the future King Charles, despite their impending divorce.

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