When Prince William started nursery in September 1985, his first day of pre-school was captured with much fanfare. More than 100 pairs of eyes were on the little Prince as he arrived at Mrs. Mynors' Nursery School shortly after 9:30 in the morning – a far cry from how Prince George discreetly started his first day.
Back then William, who was clad in a stripy jumper, red shorts and red shoes, was forced to face dozens of reporters and photographers as he walked towards the nursery at 11 Chepstow Villas.
The adorable little boy was greeted by the headmistress, who knelt down to take his hand.
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrince William pictured on his first day of nursery in September 1985
Proud parents Prince Charles and the late Diana, Princess of Wales walked alongside their eldest son, with Diana taking William's hand in hers.
On his first day of school, William, who was just over three-years-old, was placed into one of the three groups of children – the cygnets. The other two groups were called the little swans and big swans.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe three-year-old attended Mrs. Mynors' Nursery School in west London
This was the first time that a member of the royal family had attended a nursery outside the confines of Buckingham Palace, and it's said that his mother Diana had some influence over which nursery he should attend.
Diana herself was a nursery assistant at the Young England Kindergarten school in Pimlico, a nursery that uses the Montessori method. It was therefore no surprise that she wanted her son William to be schooled in the same way – a teaching method that balances work and play and encourages children to develop at their own rate.
© Photo: Getty ImagesMore than 100 pairs of eyes were on the little Prince
Two hours after the morning session, William was picked up and brought back home to his parents. Head teacher Mrs Mynor said her new student "liked it" and it seems the little Prince did. As he left, he showed photographers a finger puppet of a mouse he had made all by himself.
The tradition to be schooled the Montessori way has passed down through the generations and more than 30 years later, Prince George is attending the Westacre Montessori School in Norfolk.
© Photo: Getty Images"He liked it," head teacher Mrs Mynor said
But unlike his dad William, George was able to start his first day of nursery discreetly. His parents William and Kate have made no secret of their desire to give their son a normal upbringing.
No media were invited to attend; the Duke and Duchess dropped off their son by themselves and it was keen shutterbug Kate who took photographs of George outside the nursery.
© Photo: PAPrince George started his first day in complete privacy with no media in attendance
The couple decided to wait until George had come home from his first day to notify the press, so that they could celebrate their son's milestone in private.
A royal source told HELLO! magazine: "He's going to be attending part time for a handful of hours per day. Both the Duke and Duchess dropped him off today and it seems all went well."
