Casting our minds back to 1990, Prince William began boarding at Ludgrove School, where he had a very normal education, removed from the spotlight of his parents then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana's split.
The royals announced their separation in 1992, the same year William's younger brother Prince Harry joined him at the school, before finalising their divorce in 1996. Both brothers went on to leave aged 13 for Eton College, which was known for its 25m swimming pool with a movable floor, 2km rowing lake and other luxurious amenities.
While Ludgrove was set on 200 acres of woodland and tennis courts, it still appeared more modest, judging by unearthed photos taken in 1989, the year before William's enrolment. Located in Wokingham, Berkshire, the preparatory school featured communal bedrooms with cream walls, red carpets and green curtains.
Single beds with wooden frames were positioned equidistant apart, with matching side tables and chairs completing the furniture. Each area had been personalised with family photos or posters, allowing students to make the room their own.
While pictures of William's personal room were never released to protect his privacy, it was reported that he, too, shared a room with five other students.
Aside from the personal quarters, William, Harry and other students could also spend their spare time in the games room, which had table tennis and a piano.
© Getty ImagesMeals were served in the refectory, where walls were lined with notable alumni and tables were topped with yellow tablecloths, or the conservatory-style dining hall with views overlooking the grounds.
© PA Images via Getty ImagesNavigating a royal childhood
With William and Harry's father Charles hitting the headlines for being the heir to the British throne to get divorced, the school's headmaster, Gerald Barber, reportedly did his utmost to protect the young royals from the press intrusion.
© Tim Graham Photo Library via GetTheir mission was largely accomplished, Prince Harry implied in his autobiography, Spare. Despite stating "more than one hundred boys lived in proximity", leading to very little privacy, he added that he was afforded space following the death of his mother in August 1997.
"And yet I don’t believe one boy so much as mentioned my mother when that new term began. Out of respect? More likely fear. I certainly said nothing to anyone," he recalled.
© Tim Graham Photo Library via GetAside from the headmasters, whom Harry described as "legends", the matrons were also a source of comfort for the royals. He touched upon the support he received from them in Spare, writing Whatever tenderness we got, day to day, came from the "Mums-Away-From-Mums".
"The matrons hugged us, kissed us, bandaged our injuries, wiped our tears," he penned, before explaining they were the ones who encouraged him to write a final letter to his late mother to help with closure.
After finding the letter-writing to be difficult as he navigated "their messy breakup", he said it became "impossible" to take part in the mandatory activity after losing his mother.
