New ‘No Photography’ signs have appeared around Eton College just weeks before Prince George is due to begin at the prestigious Berkshire school.
Images taken outside the school show fresh notices attached to fences surrounding the college, warning against photography of pupils.
The signs have appeared shortly before the 13-year-old prince is expected to walk through Eton’s gates for the first time in September.
Prince George, the eldest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales, will become the latest member of his family to attend the school.
His father, Prince William, studied at Eton between 1995 and 2000, while his uncle, Prince Harry, attended from 1998 until 2003.
Kensington Palace confirmed in June that George had been accepted by the prestigious boarding school after months of speculation about where the future King would continue his education.
The move will see George become a boarder as he begins the next stage of his schooling.
However, the new photography signs are understood to be part of wider measures introduced by Eton for its pupils, rather than a change specifically introduced because of the prince’s arrival.
The school regularly educates children from prominent and high-profile families, and restrictions on photography are designed to protect pupils from unwanted attention.
George’s presence is nevertheless likely to attract considerably more public interest than that of most pupils.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have been careful to protect the privacy of George and his younger siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, while allowing them to appear at selected public events alongside their parents.
The growth of smartphones and social media also presents a different challenge to the one faced by Prince William and Prince Harry during their time at Eton.
Almost every pupil is likely to have access to a smartphone, meaning photographs or videos taken inside or around the school could potentially be shared online within seconds.
Prince George’s new school also provides each pupil with an individual study-bedroom.
According to Eton, pupils are given their own private space and are expected to develop independence and self-discipline while managing their studies.
The prince’s move to Eton marks a significant moment for the Wales family and follows a period of preparation for boarding school.
Prince William previously revealed that George had already begun spending occasional nights away from home while attending Lambrook School, allowing him to become more accustomed to boarding.
George will now make the transition to full-time boarding at Eton, returning home during weekends and school holidays.
His move also continues a family connection with the school which stretches back more than three decades.
Prince William has previously spoken positively about his time at Eton, saying he enjoyed being able to go about his life there “as just another student”.
George’s arrival will nevertheless ensure that the school is likely to receive considerably more attention than usual when the new academic year begins.
