Kate Middleton and Prince William dropped their son, Prince George, at Eton College this week, and one subtle gesture the Princess of Wales made has captured fans’ attention
Kate Middleton displayed a subtle gesture as she accompanied her eldest son, Prince George, to begin at Eton College this week, revealing much about her character.
The 13-year-old son of Princess Catherine and Prince William commenced his first term at the prestigious all-boys boarding school on Tuesday (8th September). He was accompanied by his parents as he received a welcome from Head Master Simon Henderson and Provost Sir Nicholas Coleridge.
George’s enrolment at the esteemed establishment sees him following in the footsteps of his father, the Prince of Wales, and his uncle, Prince Harry, who both attended the institution during their younger years. While it was undoubtedly an emotional moment for George’s parents to say goodbye to him, there was one understated gesture made by the Princess of Wales that sparked discussion online.
Footage of Kate, William, and George arriving at Eton College was posted on X on Tuesday, and observers were swift to spot one detail about the clip that they suggest demonstrated Kate’s true nature.
In the footage, as the trio approached Henderson and Coleridge, Kate could be seen deliberately slowing her pace to ensure that George greeted the school heads first, with fans describing the action as evidence of her “impeccable decorum”.
One fan who shared the footage wrote: “The way Catherine steps back while William and George greet first.”
Commenters on the post lavished praise on Princess Kate, suggesting she was well aware the occasion was entirely about her son, and had therefore “selflessly” stepped back to allow him to take centre stage and greet the school’s senior staff without her involvement.
One person said: “Her manners and decorum are impeccable.”
Another added: “Masterclass in grace and poise.”
A third posted: “I am amazed at the consistently classy way William and his family act. Catherine even holds her umbrella perfectly – made me laugh. The ‘boys’ go without one. Catherine must be in a puddle of emotions- this is a big transition.”
Others remarked that the understated gesture was evidence of her being a “good mum”, while numerous commenters noted the occasion was likely an emotional one for Kate, given that Eton College is a boarding school, meaning George will be departing the family home to reside there.
Some also noted that Kate has consistently demonstrated an instinct for allowing her children their moment in the limelight, pointing to an occasion during the summer when she permitted her daughter, 11-year-old Princess Charlotte, to walk ahead of her at Wimbledon.
During Tuesday’s visit to Eton, the Prince and Princess of Wales, who also share eight-year-old Prince Louis, first arrived at School Yard, the Berkshire institution’s historic quadrangle, overlooked by Lupton’s Tower, a Tudor landmark, with a statue of King Henry VI, who founded Eton in 1440, standing at its centre.
The family then made their way through a doorway into one of the oldest sections of Eton, where Kate was spotted placing her hand gently on her son’s back in a tender and maternal gesture.
Eton College is a highly prestigious institution, with an exceptionally competitive admissions process that requires prospective pupils to sit rigorous assessments before being accepted.
George will follow in the footsteps of a host of notable alumni, including his father and uncle, actors Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie and Eddie Redmayne, numerous prime ministers including Lord David Cameron, authors George Orwell and Ian Fleming, and explorer Bear Grylls.
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