Popular Prince George has ‘invited a few of his classmates for playdates at Kensington Palace' – but they all have to be security vetted, royal source claims
- Prince George, 6, is 'popular' with pupils at £18k-a-year St Thomas's Battersea
- William and Kate said to be delighted he is settling in so well with his peers
- An insider said he has had classmates around for play dates at Kensington Palace
- Source said that it was 'wonderful' for children but required security vetting
He may only be in his third year of school, but Prince George is already proving a popular pupil among his peers.
The third in line to the throne, six, is attending £18,000-a-year school St Thomas's Battersea, and returned to school after the summer holidays this month.
And according to insiders the young royal has already invited 'a few' of his classmates back to Kensington Palace, with his parents Prince William, 37, and Kate Middleton, 37, said to be 'delighted' at how well he is settling in.
However the 'wonderful' play dates at the palace are reportedly more complicated than the average, as every visitor has to be security vetted.
Prince George, 6, is already proving a popular pupil among his peers at £18,000-a-year school St Thomas's Battersea, inviting peers back for play dates at Kensington Palace (seen on his first day at school this month)
A source described to The Sun how George is 'just like any other normal child', adding: 'It's just that most schoolkids don't go somewhere like Kensington Palace to see their friends out of lessons.
'It is wonderful for them – and their parents – to go to such a beautiful and historic palace and have the run of the place.
'But it does involve a bit more planning than a normal play date, as everyone visiting the palace has to be security vetted.'
According to insiders the young royal has already invited 'a few' of his classmates back to Kensington Palace, with his parents Prince William, 37, and Kate Middleton, 37, said to be 'delighted' at how well he is settling in (seen this month on Charlotte's first day)
However the 'wonderful' play dates at the palace are reportedly more complicated than the average, as every visitor at the palace (seen) has to be security vetted
This month George started his third year at St Thomas's Battersea, while Charlotte began her first year at the same school - with Kate telling onlookers that she is 'very excited to join her big brother', during an engagement in June.
In May Simon O'Malley, headmaster at Thomas's Battersea, said: 'We are delighted that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have decided that Princess Charlotte will join her elder brother, Prince George, at Thomas's Battersea. We greatly look forward to welcoming her and all of our new pupils to the school in September.'
The fees for George are £6,429 a term or £19,287 a year, while for Charlotte they will be £6,305 a term of £18,915 a year - the lower figure being due to a small discount given to a family's second child.
The family seen playing together in May: Kate, William and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in the Adam White and Andree Davies co-designed garden ahead of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Established by David and Joanna Thomas 40 years ago, Thomas's Battersea has described itself as being 'happy, dynamic and vibrant' and one that prides itself on its 'excellent academic results'.
Pupils are offered afterschool activities, including fencing, philosophy, gardening and pottery.
Thomas's prides itself on a 'rounded education', with as much emphasis on kindness as academic results - although many of its 540 boys and girls, aged four to 13, go on to top public schools such as Eton.
