Princess Charlotte of Cambridge started nursery school today & there are photos

I kept seeing stuff about Princess Charlotte of Cambridge starting nursery school last week, and I honestly thought Charlotte had already started and William and Kate were just doing everything very low-key. But no? Charlotte started nursery school today in London. The Duchess of Cambridge photographed her daughter at Kensington Palace just before they set off for Willcocks Nursery School this morning.

Charlotte turns 3 years old in May, and I would assume that the nursery school set-up is a lot like George’s old set up in Norfolk, meaning half-days and lots of fun. George got more privacy in Norfolk, but Charlotte has to go to nursery school in London now because the Cambridges are keen to take on more work this year. The nursery school comes at a crazy cost though – £14,500 a year.

Superficially, I love the way Kate styled her daughter here. I would have thought that Kate would have gone with head-to-toe pink, but no – a nice blend of brown tights, red coat, red Mary Janes, red bow and pale pink scarf and backpack. Adorable!! They seem to be growing Charlotte’s hair out too.

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Photos courtesy of Kensington Palace.

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127 Responses to “Princess Charlotte of Cambridge started nursery school today & there are photos”

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  1. minx says:

    Oh, these are some of the cutest pictures of her I’ve seen! What a doll. Love her outfit.

    • imqrious2 says:

      She looks so different in every photo lately; what a cutie pie! The gray tights with red/pink: adorable! Gotta love that Kate got her a double-breasted coat (BUTTONS!) and pocket flaps! It’s just like Mom’s! lol

    • Marella1 says:

      Toddlers do grow fast. Lol,she’s a doll.

    • Susannah says:

      Charlotte has such personality! I really love the head tilt, she’s just adorable.
      I went on one of the forum sites to see if they had any pictures of Charlotte since she was supposed to go to school today and I love royal kid photos. I couldn’t believe the things they were saying about this precious, little girl! The one photo where Charlotte’s sitting they were criticizing Kate for not teaching Charlotte to “sit more lady-like” not with her legs open, she’s 2 years old! They were saying that her dress is too short too, “just like Middleton women.” It’s disgusting. That’s the last time I go to that forum, those posters are disturbed!

      • nic919 says:

        I am no fan of Charlotte’s mother, but there is nothing to criticize about these photos. They are cute. They are also great PR to make people forget about how much taxpayers are paying for this expensive nursery school.

      • minx says:

        Oh, brother.

      • nc919
        My understanding is that tuition is a private expense.

      • Tina says:

        It won’t be. (Unless by “private” they mean “paid for by income from the Duchy of Cornwall.”)

      • Tina says:

        Here is an article discussing as much (the royal reporters generally know these things): http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/revealed-eye-watering-cost-putting-11126923

      • Tina
        The article lays out the cost of George’s private education and tells us roughly how much Charles receives from the duchy but I still don’t see the point of speculating about who pays. It could be Charles, there could be an education trust or annuity from him, the queen. Who knows? Even if it’s Charles there is still no way to know if it’s from the sovereign grant or his own inheritance, investments etc. The nobility attend private schools. They just do.

      • Tina says:

        I have no objection to George and Charlotte attending private schools, and similarly I have no objection to them being paid for with state funds. I do, however, object to this hemming and hawing about oh, well, it could be paid for privately. That would be very unlikely. Given that Charles pays for Kate’s wardrobe from Duchy funds (which we know from the Duchy accounts) and it is acknowledged in the Duchy accounts that £3.5m of Duchy funds go to William, Kate and Harry each year, I would be very surprised if schooling was not part of that sum.

    • BCity says:

      YES!! The little shoes, the tiny little scarf, the smile…what a little love!! ❤️❤️

    • bluhare says:

      I agree. She’s an adorable little poppet.

    • Lahdidahbaby says:

      I love her eyebrows, that little arch in them! They give her a sweetly mischievous look

    • Princessk says:

      These are lovely sweet pictures and she is clearly photogenic.

  2. Esmom says:

    I cannot believe how grown up she looks! Adorable.

    • Let It Be says:

      This little girl has more charm and personality than her parents combined.

    • Nancy says:

      After trying to avoid all these pampered celeb threads, it’s refreshing to see that little face, so sweet and innocent. Poor child doesn’t know what lies ahead, which is a good thing. Toddlers are absolutely my favorite age, no maybe newborn, holding them is like getting a spa treatment. Love em all! Charlotte looks just like her brother to me.

      • Nikki says:

        Ha, ha: I’m a mum and granny as well, but newborns still scare me! I like when they get a little weight and substance to them, 4 months old onwards. I like your comment: spa treatment!!

      • Princessk says:

        @ Nancy …too true poor thing . I am sure William must look at her and want her to be as carefree as long as possible.

    • happy girl says:

      A little angel from heaven….LOVE.

  3. Bea says:

    She’s a cutie pie.

  4. Sparkly says:

    Wow, she’s gotten so big! She looks adorable. I think she looks so much like the queen.

  5. CFY says:

    Actually may have squealed a bit at these pictures. She’s adorable. May she have a great time at school!

  6. L84Tea says:

    Wow, she has changed! I think she’s starting to look a lot more like George now!

  7. susanne says:

    Absolutely beautiful children. I hope they are well loved, and taught the skills they’ll need for their wacky lives.

  8. Liberty says:

    Adorable. Love the color-mixed styling as well.

  9. Becks says:

    These are such adorable pictures. She is so cute.

  10. Talie says:

    Look at her posing! She seems to love the camera more than her brother. haha

    • Mumbles says:

      She has always seemed more fearless and outgoing than George. Like when they attended the kids’ party in Canada. She ran right up to the balloons and tried to pop them.
      Anyway I think she’s really cute and a totally real way.

  11. Tiffany says:

    20k to eat paste on a half day a few days a week.

    That is a lot of cash.

    • Julianne says:

      That’s how much private pre-school is here in L.A. and it starts at anywhere from 18 months to 2 years of age, not 3 years as in Chars case. I once calculated that private school in L.A. for two kids would costs roughly $800k by the time they kids graduated high school.

      • MandyMc says:

        I agree Julianne. In the DC area it’s about $20k a year give or take. Childcare and preschool costs are crazy.

      • FLORC says:

        If they get into sports bump thst cost up to 1 million… then add inflation and cringe.

      • Carrie says:

        Agreed! Even in Providence, RI (where I live) that is close to the cost of private pre-school. It’s crazy how expensive it is…

    • Jesscar says:

      Sadly, that’s not particularly expensive for childcare in the UK. For full time, you’re looking at around £50/day so £13000 a year, although there are some subsidies for some children.

      • Als Em says:

        True. I’m paying £60.50 a day for my 2 year. It’s crazily expensive in London for childcare. Not sure how people can afford for multiple children.

      • Fran says:

        Yep I’m in London zone 4 – not central London and a normal full time nursery is about £1500 – £1800 a year. It’s basically a second mortgage every month.

      • LondonUnicorn says:

        Yep. I’m in London and my one year old’s nursery is more than £15k a year, for four days a week (and it’s closed for the whole of August). It’s in a really weird building in a not great area, too. We are not fancy at *all*.

  12. KiddV says:

    I’m jealous of a toddler’s coat.

    She so cute!

  13. Nicole says:

    Wow she is adorable. I now think she’s a mini QE with the middleton coloring.

  14. Nicegirl says:

    Adorable!! A great way to start a Monday, with darling Princess Charlotte!

  15. Digital Unicorn (aka Betti) says:

    Cute kid – she def is a mini QEII.

  16. Marella1 says:

    This has made my years. She is such a sassy, sweet beautiful little girl. God I love these pictures.
    She looks so happy.

  17. Amelie says:

    Ah wow! She’s starting to grow into her looks. I always thought she was cute but every time we saw a picture of her she always looked so different since we’d go months without seeing pictures of her. Happy first day of school Charlotte!

  18. Nello says:

    She is precious! Love the whole ensemble but wonder what she is wearing under the coat? Does she keep it on even in the classroom like Mama Keen? Lol And narry a big shiny button in sight, Kaiser! 😉

  19. Hazel says:

    That kid’s got more eyebrows than I do! So jealous! Loved the scarf detail, too. So stylish. And as for who she looks like, beyond her own little self, I say Princess Eugenia.

  20. Beluga says:

    Very cute!

    She’s changed so much since Christmas lol

  21. sunnydeereynolds says:

    She is so damn cute! And pretty charming in these photos!

  22. Citresse says:

    Adorable!!!!!

  23. Taxi says:

    She looks so happy. Love seeing that big smile. She isn’t always so cheerful in pics.

  24. AnneC says:

    After watching the episode of the Crown where poor Charles is sent off to that terrible boy’s school in Scotland, glad that upper class Britain has become more enlightened and the last 2 generations of royal family have given their children a much more modern (and kind) education.

    • Tina says:

      To a point – I wouldn’t send a child to Eton, even now.

    • LAK says:

      It’s a school that sets out emphasis on physical sport and the outdoors. Not a good fit for the arty, indoorsy Charles at all.

      However, it was the perfect fit for Philip, Andrew, Edward, Peter and Zara who all thrived at the school.

      If i have any criticism of the school is that Charles was very openly bullied and the school did nothing about it. Not just the usual joshing and teasing, but outright beatings and wetting his bed and making his life a misery. One boy boasted to a newspaper that he had deliberately broken Charles’s nose during a rugby game.

      And any boys who dared defend or befriend Charles were in turn bullied too.

      The good news is that was a different era and it’s rare to find that sort of behaviour tolerated nowadays.

      • magnoliarose says:

        This is why I have a soft spot for Charles. We are kindred spirits. 🙂

        I have no idea why the Windsor’s are so often mean to their PoW, but they are sometimes.

      • This is one of the reasons I feel a lot of pity for Edward VIII. Absolutely nightmarish childhood in addition to the extreme bullying. Oddly enough, Bertie did much better when he attended the same school despite being shyer, less robust, having a pronounced stutter etc. Schools really should be tailored to each child, if at all possible.

  25. Jayna says:

    Aw, I love that little girl. I hope their third is a girl also, purely for selfish reasons. I love all the clothes for baby girls and toddlers, etc., so they are fun photos to see.

    • Princessk says:

      W&K will be hoping for a boy, they will need at least one or two of them to go into the military, and it is more likely that a boy will be persuaded to do that.

  26. BooBooLaRue says:

    Princess Charlotte for the win! This child is magical.

  27. Zondie says:

    Golly gumdrops! Isn’t she cute?!

  28. Sequinedheart says:

    She was always a mini QEII; My goodness she’s getting cuter by the day! More Kate in her now, & the outfit is gorgeous. I feel like she will be a stunner all grown up, hopefully with the fire of Princess Margaret and the self respect of QEII.

  29. gnerd says:

    Say what you will about Wills and Kate, they sure do make cute munchkins

  30. Jessica says:

    I remember people making comments about the bags under George’s eyes in his school photo. It’s clearly a genetic trait they both have and not from being tired at all.

  31. Lyla says:

    Isn’t she just princess Charlotte and not princess Charlotte of Cambridge?

    • LAK says:

      Only the monarch’s children are princes without dominion. Ie The Princess Anne or The Prince Charles, Andrew, Edward.

      Grandchildren don’t have the definitive article and they retain the ‘of X dominion’ title of their father because it’s a courtesy title not a right. Therefore she is PC of Cambridge rather than plain The PC.

  32. Anitas says:

    She’s very cute. Nurseries are ridiculously expensive here in London, a full time placement is easily £1000 a month and that’s just any old random nursery.

  33. Sayrah says:

    She is so stinking cute

  34. feeshalori says:

    Whispering very softly in the library, “Ah, how adorable!” She has well-defined eyebrows like her mom’s.

  35. Lorelai says:

    This is the happiest post in over a year!! 😍

    • Kelly says:

      I agree. Minimal trashing of the parents, and no comment (yet) of how “unfortunate” Charlotte looks. The positivity is refreshing.

      • Tina says:

        “Trashing” implies that they don’t deserve the criticism they get. I’d beg to differ. Charlotte is adorable though, no criticism of her at all.

  36. Valiantly Varnished says:

    She’s so big now! For some reason I still picture her as a baby/toddler. But she’s grown up so much in the last year. Her outfit is adorable.

  37. Laura Dawe says:

    Little Charlotte is adorable 💕 I hope she enjoys her first day at school 😊

  38. Mar says:

    She looks just like the Queen to me.

  39. Pandy says:

    So cute! What a nice start to Monday. She’s adorable.

  40. Lobbit says:

    She is such a precious little bean!

  41. Naptime says:

    Cutie! I think she has Pippa’s eyes!

  42. minxx says:

    So adorable! I love the coat and the matching Mary-Janes.

  43. Burdzeyeview says:

    Wow hasn’t she grown since th last pics?Adorable!

  44. aquarius64 says:

    She’s cute but I don’t understand why did Charlotte’s parents like she is going to church? Other royals send their kids off to school in jeans and sneakers. Is this the dress code for the school?

    • minx says:

      Maybe for the first day they wanted her to wear a cute dress? Looks like she has tights on, probably some kind of soft dress. The shoes look comfy.

    • Jessica says:

      She’s going to a very posh pre-school she’ll blend in; I’m just surprised there is no uniform.

    • Nicole says:

      Depends on the kid. When I was that age until maybe 6 or 7 you couldnt force me into pants. I wore dresses to run around in 24/7.

    • homeslice says:

      I get my kids dressed up for the first day too…and picture days as well! I tend to favor the more “little girl” clothes too. Believe it or not they are hard to find…seems once the little girls hit 5/6 all the clothes look like stuff a teen would wear! I am keeping my girl little until she asks otherwise lol. But yes, she wears comfy sneakers and Uggs to school most days.

      • Kelly says:

        I just can’t believe that people buy heeled shoes, mini-skirts, midriff baring tops, and thongs, for their pre-pubescent children. Why the big hurry to sexualize children?

    • Adele Dazeem says:

      My daughter (a similar age) loathes denim and restrictive pants and will wear only dresses. Some little girls prefer dresses and skirts.

  45. Suze says:

    A lovely child, who is beautifully dressed.

    Kate did a nice job with the photos, too.

  46. Betsy says:

    What a sweetheart.

    Katie and Willy must want some limelight back from Megan and Harry.

  47. magnoliarose says:

    Sweet little duckling. Her eyes gleam with personality.

  48. Petty Riperton says:

    Cutie and she’s styling, not surprised she has more personality than lil G. The spares are usually the more outgoing than the heirs.

  49. Bread and Circuses says:

    So cute! She looks like she’s got personality, too.

  50. tearose11 says:

    I can’t wait for the epic eye rolls she will be giving big bro George soon. They look like they would be the naughtiest siblings to deal with ,in a fun way, since they both look like they have huge personalities already!

  51. Peace says:

    She’s so cute, great personality

  52. Tanya says:

    She has Diana’s eyes. Love the coat. Shame she has more personality than her mother.

    • nic919 says:

      William looks like Diana and she looks like a young William. Everyone keeps saying she looks like the Queen, but she doesn’t have the same eye shape that the Queen did at her age. She may look like the Queen at 91, but that’s not the same thing. She does exhibit personality though, which is good.

  53. Honey says:

    She looks like she is going to be on the tallish side of average.

  54. kimbers says:

    lol for such a little girl she has the biggest granny vibe!!! so cute!

  55. HeyThere! says:

    Guess I’m lucky! Where I’m from, 3 day a week, 4 hours a day 3 year old private pre k is 300 dollars a month. I wouldn’t pay 20k a year for any pre k program. I gasped out loud when I read that is normal in LA, DC and London. Insane.

  56. What's Inside says:

    She has her grandmother, Carol’s eyes, the Queen’s facial shape, Kate’s nose, and the Windsor mouth. She is absolutely adorable in these photos. Diana would just adore this child.

  57. Clarissa says:

    She is adorable!

  58. FLORC says:

    Did anyone else read Nursing school instead of Nursery school?

  59. sage says:

    How precious. She is a mix of Billy and Carole.

  60. Ce2495 says:

    Such a cutie… love the outfit. Hope she enjoyed her first day.

  61. liveandletgo says:

    adorable outfit, check. happy child, check. meh parental first day of school photos, check. but all i see is a tiny carole middleton (george is a mini michael, so it makes sense)

  62. Anare says:

    This is child who’s going places, like she has the world by the tail. You go Charlotte!

  63. Awww…can’t wait to see Harry and Meghan’s babies…cutie Charlotte needs a Princess cousin she can giggle and grow up with!

  64. Tina says:

    Anyone ever read Emily of New Moon? I remember a scene where they’re talking about her and which members of the family she looks like, and she retorts indignantly, “You make me feel as though I were made of scraps and patches!” Little Charlotte looks just like herself.

  65. Cookiejar says:

    Like the outfit but I don’t find it all that pretty. Doesn’t hold a candle to Felipe of Spain’s daughters. Now, those are beautiful girls. And it’s not about being blondes, Victoria of Sweden is/was also far prettier.

  66. wendy says:

    I must be the only one, I think she looks just like her Mom. I do love the outfit, now I’m reconsidering my life choices because I am envious of a toddler’s fashion.