Prince George and Princess Charlotte's strict private school uniform rules revealed

It's Back to School time for Prince George and Princess Charlotte, and, as for many children across the country, that means goodbye civvies and hello uniform. 

• Prince George and Princess Charlotte are gearing up to return to school on 9 September after a long summer break. 
• Prince William and Kate Middleton's two older children must follow a super-strict uniform policy at the expensive London prep school. 
• In other royal news, the Queen is ‘pleased and proud’ this young royal is set to start training with the Royal Marines.
  

Prince William and Kate Middleton's older two children, George and Charlotte, will return to school next week for a new academic year of intensive lessons, fun-filled activities, and of course, strict uniform rules. 

The royal tots are enrolled in Thomas's Battersea, a prep school in southwest London just 20 minutes from their home at Kensington Palace. 

In return for £24,000 per annum, the prestigious institution promises its pupils a top-class education, as well as early access to some of the most elite connections in society. (Playdates with multimillionaires' kids are likely to do away with any future need for a resumé or LinkedIn.) It's not all networking and social-climbing though. Pupils are also encouraged to meet high academic standards and embrace a broad curriculum, whilst adhering to the school's overarching motto to "Be Kind." 

George and Charlotte and reportedly very happy at Thomas's, which may be one of the reasons Prince William refuses to have Prince George 'packed off to boarding school'. It also boasts a strong reputation for producing some of the UK's proudest talents, including Florence Welch and Cara Delevigne. 

With such a lofty status to maintain, it's hardly surprising that Prince George and Princess Charlotte must dress smartly at school. Thomas's Battersea has a strict uniform policy, mandating all pupils wear a specific attire upon entering its pearly gates.

Like many traditional private schools in the UK, different rules apply to girls and boys. Thomas's uniform requirements also vary based on the season, to ensure pupils are comfortable in their threads no matter what the weather. 

What does Princess Charlotte have to wear to school? 

Princess Charlotte, who turned six in May, will begin Year Two in Thomas's Battersea wearing a very duo chromatic winter uniform. 

The outfit includes the school's signature navy jacket, a navy cardigan, a red polo neck, and a navy pinafore. Red tights and navy or black shoes (velcro or buckle) are also required. 

If it's chilly, Charlotte can keep cozy with a pair of navy gloves and a scarf. Sadly, no tiaras are allowed, but there are still a few headgear options for the young princess. Thomas's pupils often wear a red and navy striped beanie, known as a Zaini hat, when the temperature drops, while some go for a simple headband indoors or when the sun comes out. 

Navy waterproof trousers are recommended for Woodland Adventure Trips, the off-site tours organized by the school to enhance the children's classroom learning. 

Charlotte also has the choice to swap her pinafore for a pair of trousers—navy, of course—once she graduates to Year Three next year. 

Luckily, the color palette shifts a little in the warmer months. For summer, Her Royal Highness will wear a gingham pinafore, a white blouse, and plain white ankle socks. She can also fend off UV rays with a white sun hat or a navy baseball cap, both of which must be plain and logo-free. 

As for accessories, the school doesn't allow its pupils to jazz up their uniforms with any designer bags or flashy jewelry. Charlotte will have to make do with a Thomas's rucksack to carry her books and stationery, just like the rest of her peers. She can wear a red or blue hairband or ribbon in her hair during the winter, but by the summer, she must ditch the red for a navy, pale blue, white or gingham checked hairband or ribbon. The princess is also free to clip back strands of hair or secure an updo with tortoiseshell slides. Phew, that's a lot to remember. 

What does Prince George have to wear to school? 

He may rule the country one day, but for now, eight-year-old Prince George has absolutely no power over his school attire. The future King, who is entering Year Four at Thomas's Battersea, must adhere to many of the same winter uniform rules that apply to Charlotte—with a few small exceptions. 

Like his sister, George will embrace a strong blue theme—donning a navy jacket, a navy v-neck jersey, and navy Bermuda shorts. Beneath his outer clothes, he will wear a red polo neck, as well as a pair of long red and blue regulation socks and a pair of black, laceless shoes. He too will have the choice to warm up with navy gloves, a scarf, and a Zaini hat once the weather gets cooler. 

For summer, George will switch up his red polo and knee-highs for a short-sleeved light blue shirt and shorter navy ankle socks. He'll also be able to twin up with Charlotte—if she lets him—by wearing a white sun hat or navy baseball cap. How adorable. 

The uniform rules don't only apply to the classroom. Thomas's also enforces a strict policy when it comes to extracurricular activities, requiring pupils to wear a regulation red art smock for painting and a pair of navy shorts with a white t-shirt for dance.