When Princess Charlotte attends her first day of school this week at Thomas’s Battersea, she will reportedly have to get used to being called an unusual name.
The four-year-old will be addressed as Charlotte Cambridge by her school friends and teachers.
As part of a royal family tradition, her surname stems from her parent’s – Prince William and Kate Middleton – titles as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
WATCH: Inside Charlotte and George’s new school in Battersea
In a similar fashion, her elder brother Prince George is known as George Cambridge at Thomas’s Battersea.
Prince William and Prince Harry were known as William and Harry Wales during their school years, a surname passed on by Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales.
According to the Royal Family’s official website, royals “can be known both by the name of the royal house and by a surname, which is not always the same.”
“Just as children can take their surnames from their father, so sovereigns normally take the name of their ‘House’ from their father.
“For this reason, Queen Victoria’s eldest son Edward VII belonged to the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (the family name of his father Prince Albert).
“Edward VII’s son George V became the second king of that dynasty when he succeeded to the throne in 1910.
“In 1917, there was a radical change, when George V specifically adopted Windsor, not only as the name of the ‘House’ or dynasty but also as the surname of his family.
“The family name was changed as a result of anti-German feeling during the First World War, and the name Windsor was adopted after the Castle of the same name.”
WATCH: Prince William drops off Prince George for his first day of school at Thomas’s Battersea
Kensington Palace also confirmed that Princess Charlotte will have special chaperones on her first day at Thomas’s Battersea.
She will be joined by Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and her big brother Prince George as she enters the school for the first time.
Princess Charlotte’s mother could not attend Prince George’s beginning of reception last September due to suffering from severe morning sickness while pregnant with Prince Louis.
An insider told PEOPLE that Princess Charlotte “can’t wait to be with George at big school” and “is so excited about it all.”
Royal biographer Penny Junor told Hello! magazine: “Prince George is a very protective and lovely older brother.
“I’m sure he’ll look after his little sister and take great pride in showing her the ropes.”
Prince George is returning to the school for his second year, and another source also told the publication that the future king is “very happy” at Thomas’s Battersea.
WATCH: Shy Prince William does the CUTEST wave on his first day of school
Thomas’s Battersea School website reveals that Princess Charlotte will be exposed to a wide curriculum over the school year.
The young royal will join a group of new pupils in studying drama, art, French, ballet, music, computing, math, reading and more.
“In the Reception year children will play and explore; make choices and learn to have a go and persevere; be creative and solve problems; form good relationships; be safe, secure and happy,” reads Thomas’s Battersea’s curriculum statement.
According to Express, Kensington Palace is also likely to share photos of Princess Charlotte’s first day at the school – to the delight of royal fans.
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