Prince George arrives for first day at his new Montessori nursery school

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Prince George is enrolled at Westacre Montessori School near the family home, Anmer Hall in Norfolk
The lively blonde-haired youngster is believed to have spent a couple of hours in class to help ease him into lessons
He was taken to the school gates by his proud parents, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
Kate released two photographs of her son outside of the nursery on the Kensington Palace social media accounts
See more of the latest news on Prince George following his first day at school

By Rebecca English for the Daily Mail and Sarah Barns For Mailonline

Published: 11:33 EST, 6 January 2016 | Updated: 20:47 EST, 6 January 2016

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Dressed in a quilted blue jacket and carrying a backpack, Prince George arrived at nursery for the first time yesterday – without a hint of nervousness.

In fact, the third in line to the throne couldn't have looked more excited as he toddled into the Westacre Montessori School chosen by his parents, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

In a picture taken by his mother Kate on their arrival, the two-year-old is seen smiling at a brightly coloured mural – and striking a pose remarkably similar to that of his grandfather Prince Charles. In another, he looks boldly down the lens – clearly brimming with confidence.

Prince George dressed in a navy quilted jacket and light blue rucksack grinned as he made his way into Westacre Montessori School near the family home, Anmer Hall in Norfolk

Blonde-haired George is believed to have spent only a couple of hours at the school today to help ease him into lessons. A source reported, 'It all went well'

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The little prince spent a couple of hours settling in at the private £5.50-an-hour establishment near the family's home Anmer Hall, on the Queen's Sandringham Estate.

According to aides, he did 'very well' on his first day. The relaxed scenes couldn't have been more different to those that greeted his father Prince William when he started nursery school in 1985.

In line with tradition, a formal photocall was arranged by Kensington Palace for the three-year-old's arrival at Mrs Mynors' Nursery School in London, which was also a Montessori.

William and Kate, however, refused to allow such formality yesterday – preferring to release their own pictures. The couple have made no secret of their desire to give their son and daughter – eight-month-old Princess Charlotte – as normal an upbringing as possible away from the paparazzi.

George, who also has a nanny, Maria Borrallo, will attend his new nursery two or three days a week, starting with sessions lasting a few hours but building up to half a day.

The school, which looks after around 20 under-fives, is ten miles from the family's Norfolk mansion.

William and Kate currently divide their time between Anmer and Kensington Palace in the capital, but decided to opt for a village nursery for George while William is working as a pilot for East Anglian Air Ambulance.

Palace sources insisted that the couple's choice of nursery does not mean they are intending to base themselves in Norfolk full time, however it is clear that they very much view Anmer Hall as their main home.

WHAT'S IN HIS RUCKSACK? GEORGE ARRIVES WITH A PAIR OF SLIPPERS, A PIECE OF FRUIT AND SPARE CLOTHES

As he embarked on his nursery education, it was not just the nation’s expectations weighing on his little shoulders – but a natty blue knapsack too.

It undoubtedly carried all the essentials for such a big day, including a comfortable pair of slippers.

At Westacre, children are taught to take off their shoes as soon as they arrive. Wearing slippers helps keep the carpet mud-free – as well as making for fewer tears when the little ones inevitably stand on each other’s toes.

As George is not doing full days, he is unlikely to have brought a lunchbox. But every child is asked to bring a piece of fruit to school, as part of the Montessori healthy eating policy.

They are then asked to place these into a communal bowl, before choosing one they would like. This way they learn to share.

And at the age of two-and-a-half, Prince George is likely to get in a mess if painting or using the sandpit. Further vital items in his backpack are therefore likely to include spare clothes.

He will have come prepared with an extra pair of trousers, a fresh top and probably new socks.

This is the photograph of William, Kate, George and Charlotte which was used on Christmas cards sent to the couple's family and friends

Westacre school (above), in the tiny village of East Walton, is situated on a private road which, William and Kate hope, will enable their son, who will be two and half next month, to enjoy his time there away from the spotlight. George will not attend a nursery while in London

Prince George's pose on his way into the nursery was reminiscent of his many stances taken by his grandfather Prince Charles

A senior aide said: 'He won't go every day... but the couple decided that it would just be nice for him to attend a little local nursery school. They looked around a few places in the area and really liked Westacre. They thought it was very welcoming and the staff were lovely.'

They added that the Cambridges 'are keen to make this an unremarkable experience for the other parents'.

Westacre, which is more than 30 years old and situated in a former chapel, runs on the approach developed by Italian educator Maria Montessori in the early 1900s.The 'child centred' technique uses children's natural instinct to learn through play, and allows them freedom to develop at their own pace.

In its latest Ofsted report, Westacre was described as a 'bright, attractive and welcoming environment'. And in a statement, issued through Kensington Palace, the school said: 'We are looking forward to welcoming George to our nursery where he will get the same special experience as all of our children.'

The announcement that George would be attending school in January was made last year when The Cambridges unveiled their family Christmas card.

The photograph, taken in late October by photographer Chris Jelf, shows a relaxed-looking Duke and Duchess of Cambridge crouching down with their children amid the autumn leaves at Kensington Palace.

The family portrait showed the royal couple posing in their garden with their six-month-old daughter and her brother George.

Cradled by his father Prince William, Prince George waves to well-wishers as he visits the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London

Prince William and Princess Diana arrive for his first day at Mrs Mynor's Nursery school in London's Notting Hill, left, and young William by the class teacher, right

A young Prince William, right, looked strictly similar to his pre-school son Prince George, left, on his first day of school, albeit without his famous curls

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with Prince George and Princess Charlotte ahead of Charlotte's Sandringham christening in July

Prince George stands on tip-toes and looks into the pram at his sister Princess Charlotte ahead of her christening in Norfolk

But it's George and Charlotte who steal the show, with the two-year-old, dressed in schoolboy shorts and a knitted jumper, grinning mischievously into the camera, while his chubby-cheeked sister - whose shoe has fallen off into the grass - rests on her mother's lap nearby.

A Kensington Palace spokesman said of William and Kate's family photograph in December: 'A new family photo - Merry Christmas from The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

'The Duke and Duchess are hugely appreciative of all the warm messages they have received about their family this year and are very much looking forward to their first Christmas as a family of four. '

Photographer Mr Jelf, from Wiltshire, who developed his photography skills while serving in the British Army, described the family as 'lovely'. He said he is 'most happy' when photographing people, capturing their personalities and a moment in their lives.

'I thoroughly enjoyed photographing a very lovely family, although you have to be sharp as you don't have long when there are two young children involved!' he said.

'I hope everyone enjoys this photo and I am honoured that The Duke and Duchess have decided to share it with the public.'

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with Prince George and Princess Charlotte (in pram) as they leave the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham, Norfolk, after Charlotte's christening

In May 2015, a photograph showing Prince George cradling Princess Charlotte in Anmer Hall in Norfolk, just weeks after she was born was released by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

MONTESSORI SCHOOLING

The schooling system was invented in the early 1900s by Dr Maria Montessori to educate poor children in her native Italy.

Today, there are more than 5,000 Montessori schools in the US, and around 700 in the UK, where they are privately funded.

The method discourages traditional competitive measurements of achievement, such as grades and tests, and instead focuses on the individual progress and development of each child.

Children of different ages share the same classes, and are encouraged to collaborate and help each other.

Special educational materials are used to keep children interested, and there is an emphasis on 'practical life skills'. Most Montessori classrooms are secular in nature.

The Montessori method has had its share of criticism. Some parents believe the classroom environment is 'too free' while others question Montessori teaching priorities, or the fact that children are not normally assigned homework.