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Everything we know about Prince George and Princess Charlotte's R363K a year school – the prestigious Thomas’s Battersea

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Prince George. (Photo: Getty Images)
Prince George. (Photo: Getty Images)

Cape Town – Prince George and Princess Charlotte are both starting school this September.

For Charlotte, it's her first year, while George will be returning for his third. An insider told PEOPLE, Princess Charlotte "can't wait" to start school. "She can't wait to be with George at big school. She is so excited about it all.

"They are close in age," the insider said. "and they spend so much time together.

"Playdates [with outsiders] can be tricky, so they learn to lean on each other."

Prince George and Princess Charlotte will attend Thomas's Battersea in London – around 5km and 10mins away from Kensington Palace – and will start the new academic year on 5 September.

While in the past, it wasn't common for members of the royal family to attend mainstream schools – even if they were private – Thomas's Battersea seems as good as any for the prince and princess. Here are a few more things we know about the prestigious school their royal highness will attend:

SCHOOL FEES

In the UK, the academic year is split into three terms. For Prince George – the eldest child in the school – his termly fees will be £6 429 (R 120 955). For the 2019/2020 year, it will amount to a total £19 287 (R 362 865) a year.

For Princess Charlotte, as the second child, it amounts to slightly less: £18 915 (R 355 868) a year.

The cost of extra-curricula activities is excluded from the above.

SCHOOL CURRICULUM

According to the school's website, Thomas's Battersea uses the national curriculum is a starting point and teachers English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, French, Classics, as well as RE & Philosophy.

Prince George also has a keen interest in ballet though and will continue with it in Year 3.  Prince William once commented on his son's special talent before saying he thinks he may have gotten it from his grandmother, Princess Diana. "He loves it," Prince William said

On Princess Diana, he said, "She had dance in her soul."

READ MORE: GMA host apologises after making "insensitive" comment about Prince George

SCHOOL UNIFORM

The school uniform for boys and girls differ slightly, but both are required to wear a navy blazer and v-neck jersey – in both winter and summer – with the school badge on it.

They're also required to have a separate PE and ballet uniform.

SCHOOL LUNCH

According to Tasting Table, Prince George and Princess Charlotte aren't messing with no chicken nuggets. They compare the three-week menu cycle to that of a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Every day the prince and princess get a mid-morning snack, a starter of fresh soup and bread, followed by the main course with includes a protein, vegetable and carb. Of course, there's pudding as well to top it off.

The May 2019 menu, included a daily freshly prepared salad bar and food platters, and food options included "flash roasted seasoned salmon fillet on wilted spinach" and "freshly prepared vanilla iced chocolate and beetroot cake" for dessert.

SCHOOL MOTTO

Thomas's Battersea is, without a doubt, a very prestigious school fit for a king. But even with their impressive lunch menu and exorbitant fees, their focus is still on the importance of "values, which include kindness, courtesy, confidence, humility and learning to be givers, not takers" according to headmaster Simon O'Malley.

Their motto and "the most important school rule" as a result, is to "Be Kind".

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