Why Prince George and Princess Charlotte are not returning to school this week

 Prince George  and  Princess Charlotte  aren’t returning to school just yet.  Prince William  and  Kate Middleton ’s oldest children will be staying at home a bit longer following the holidays, according to HOLA! USA’s sister brand HELLO!. On Jan. 1, the UK government announced that all primary schools in London will remain closed for the start of the new term, per BBC.

© Matt Porteous

“In light of Covid case rates rising rapidly across the capital and ongoing engagement with London leaders and the evidence submitted, the government has reviewed the London boroughs where the contingency framework will apply, with all further boroughs added,” a press release on the UK Government’s website reads. “From Monday 4 January, London primary schools will be required to provide remote learning to all children but vulnerable and critical worker children who will continue to attend school.”

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are no strangers to homeschooling. George and Charlotte began homeschooling last March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I think every parent is breathing a sigh of relief that school has started again,” William confessed following his kids’ return to school in September. “Five months – it’s been wonderful, but it’s been a long five months.”

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Prince George, seven, is currently in Year 3 at Thomas’s Battersea, while Princess Charlotte, five, is in Year 1. Thomas’s Battersea’s Lent term was scheduled to begin Wednesday, January 6. Last year, many speculated whether  Prince Louis would follow in his older siblings’ footsteps and start nursery school in the New Year. However, HELLO! noted that it seems unlikely now that George and Charlotte’s younger brother will begin school this week.

William, Kate and their children celebrated Christmas at their country home, Anmer Hall, in Norfolk. The Cambridges left Kensington Palace before Tier 4 restrictions were announced for London last month. On Christmas Day, the Duke and Duchess shared a message on social media, writing, “This Christmas our thoughts are with those of you who are spending today alone, those of you who are grief stricken from the loss of a loved one and those of you on the frontline who are somehow mustering the energy to put your own lives on hold and at risk to look after the rest of us.” William and Kate added, “Wishing you a merry Christmas doesn’t feel right this year, so instead we’re wishing for a better 2021.”