Kate unable to join Prince George on first day at school due to illness
The Duke of Cambridge drops Prince George off for his first day at an independent school described as "slightly chaotic".
Thursday 7 September 2017 17:17, UK
Prince George has started his first day at school - but the Duchess of Cambridge was unable to accompany him as she is suffering from severe morning sickness.
Kate, who is less than 12 weeks pregnant, has hyperemesis gravidarum - that can lead to dehydration, weight loss and a build-up of toxins in the blood or urine called ketosis.
Prince William dropped George off for his first day at Thomas's Battersea, a fee-paying independent school in south London.
The four-year-old was dressed in his new uniform - comprising a navy v-neck pullover, matching Bermuda-style shorts and black shoes - as he met the head of the lower school at the door.
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The young prince is thought to be among the youngest in his year and will be known as George Cambridge to his classmates.
The Good Schools Guide describes Thomas's Battersea as a "slightly chaotic school for cosmopolitan parents who want their children to have the best English education money can buy".
The school, where fees cost from £17,604 a year, says its most important rule is to "be kind".
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Prince George will be taught a range of subjects and activities from ballet and art to drama, French, music and physical education.
Ben Thomas, principal of Thomas's London Day Schools, said he would not be given "any special treatment at all".
He said: "It will be a very, very gentle start.
"They start with half days and the moment comes when they get to stay for lunch - which is a really big deal, trying to balance their lunch on their trays.
"Then they will be here eventually for full days and then we will start to introduce them to the breadth of the curriculum."
On Monday, the palace revealed the Duke and Duchess were expecting their third child, and confirmed Kate had suspended all royal duties due to her illness.
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The condition affects 3.5 pregnant women in 1,000 and treatments include placing sufferers on a drip, but it is not generally considered to threaten long-term consequences for mother or baby.
On Tuesday William said Kate was well, adding: "There's not much sleep going on at the moment."
"We need Catherine to get over this first bit and then we can start celebrating. It's always a bit anxious to start with, but she's well."
The Duchess of Cambridge suffered with hyperemesis gravidarum during her previous two pregnancies and is being cared for at Kensington Palace.