New ‘No Photography’ signs have appeared around Eton College
just weeks before Prince George is due to begin at the prestigious
Berkshire school.
Images taken outside the school show fresh notices attached to
fences surrounding the college, warning against photography of
pupils.
The signs have appeared shortly before the 13-year-old prince is
expected to walk through Eton’s gates for the first time in
September.
Prince George, the eldest child of the Prince and Princess of
Wales, will become the latest member of his family to attend the
school.
His father, Prince William, studied at Eton between 1995 and
2000, while his uncle, Prince Harry, attended from 1998 until
2003.
Kensington
Palace confirmed in June that George had been accepted by the
prestigious boarding school after months of speculation about where
the future King would continue his education.
The move will see George become a boarder as he begins the next
stage of his schooling.
However, the new photography signs
are understood to be part of wider measures introduced by Eton
for its pupils, rather than a change specifically introduced
because of the prince’s arrival.
The school regularly educates children from prominent and
high-profile families, and restrictions on photography are designed
to protect pupils from unwanted attention.
George’s presence is nevertheless likely to attract considerably
more public interest than that of most pupils.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have been careful to protect
the privacy of George and his younger siblings, Princess Charlotte
and Prince Louis, while allowing them to appear at selected public
events alongside their parents.
The growth of smartphones and social media also presents a
different challenge to the one faced by Prince William and Prince
Harry during their time at Eton.
Almost every pupil is likely to have access to a smartphone,
meaning photographs or videos taken inside or around the school
could potentially be shared online within seconds.
Prince George’s new school also provides each pupil with an
individual study-bedroom.
According to Eton, pupils are given their own private space and
are expected to develop independence and self-discipline while
managing their studies.
The prince’s move to Eton marks a significant moment for the
Wales family and follows a period of preparation for boarding
school.
Prince William previously revealed that George had already begun
spending occasional nights away from home while attending Lambrook
School, allowing him to become more accustomed to boarding.
George will now make the transition to full-time boarding at
Eton, returning home during weekends and school holidays.
His move also continues a family connection with the school
which stretches back more than three decades.
Prince William has previously spoken positively about his time
at Eton, saying he enjoyed being able to go about his life there
“as just another student”.
George’s arrival will nevertheless ensure that the school is
likely to receive considerably more attention than usual when the
new academic year begins.
