Prince William confirmed that Prince George's education got off to a good start on Thursday, but there were a few signs of first day nerves as the four-year-old made his way towards the entrance of Thomas's Battersea.

As the young prince clutched on to the hands of his dad and the head of lower school, Helen Haslem, it's safe to say he did look a little hesitant about launching into school life. And his grandfather, Prince Charles, sympathises.

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Prince George dressed in the school\'s jumper emblazoned with the Thomas\'s emblem

When asked by ITV News if he thought George looked 'a bit anxious', Charles replied: 'Poor old thing. He's been left there to get on with it when the parents go away. That's always the problem. It's good for you in the end, I suppose. It's character building.'

The future monarch, who started his education at Hill House School and later went to Gordonstoun, added that although he didn't have any advice for his young grandson, he is 'interested to hear how he got on... because at that age you don't worry quite so much about going to school as you do when you get a bit older, but it's that business of meeting new people and wondering, you know'.

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Prince Charles meeting the headmaster at Gordonstoun, 1962

Still, it sounds like everything went smoothly for George.

Speaking about his son's first day to England Under-20s' head coach, Paul Simpson, on Thursday, William said: 'It went well. There was one other parent who had more of an issue with their children - so I was quite pleased I wasn't the one. It was really nice actually. It's a nice school.'

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Following the milestone moment, Kensington Palace shared a photograph of the Duke and Prince George from earlier in the day.

The Palace has also thanked well-wishers for the 'kind messages' the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have received as their son starts school.